News 13:00

BULLETIN 26 February 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Madlanga commission is asked to investigate ad hoc committee members for the supporting of criminals
# The Vapour Products Association calls for a coordinated fight against the illicit trade in tobacco and vaping products
# And golf: All tickets are sold out for the SA Open in Stellenbosch

# Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan says he has urged the Madlanga commission to investigate certain members of the parliamentary ad hoc committee for allegedly supporting criminals within the justice system. Both bodies are probing alleged political interference in the justice system. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, O’Sullivan claimed he has nothing to hide as he continues his testimony before the commission today. He says he was summoned to respond to claims that he interfered with police operations, and to provide evidence on intelligence failures.

# The Vapour Products Association of South Africa says the increase in vaping taxes, aligned with inflation, is a modest and measured step, though they would have preferred no hike. They call for an evidence-based approach to taxation that supports adult smokers switching from cigarettes. The association’s Asanda Gcoyi urges a coordinated fight against the illicit tobacco and vaping trade and supports a three-year excise roadmap for alcohol, tobacco, and health levies:

Moving abroad:

# US special envoy, Steve Witkoff, will lead the third round of talks with Iran in Switzerland today, with the main focus being its nuclear programme. America has been assembling a massive military force in the Middle East, prompting fears of a wider regional conflict. US vice president JD Vance says Witkoff is working to strike the best deal possible for the American people:

# Golf: The Stellenbosch Golf Club in the Western Cape will be packed to the brim until Sunday, after all tickets for the South African Open were sold out. The event, which started this morning, is co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and the DP World Tour, and offers exemptions into this year’s Masters and British Open. Five-time champion Ernie Els is joined by South African compatriots such as Charl Schwartzel, defending champion Dylan Naidoo, and former champions Dean Burmester, Daniel van Tonder, and Branden Grace.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-88-cents and the euro at 18-rand-74-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-48-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-171-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-178-dollars-38-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-26-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The City of Cape Town is the winner of the global Bloomberg Mayor’s Challenge. The metro has secured a 15.8-million-rand prize for funding towards community co-designed waste management solutions in informal settlements. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says Cape Town’s entry was for a project aiming to improve waste management solutions in partnership with informal settlement residents, to reduce illegal dumping, and achieve cleaner, healthier communities:

Stay tuned for more news………….