News 14:00

BULLETIN 13 February 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# SAFTU condemns Solidarity’s reckless call for US intervention
# The DA files a complaint with the Human Rights Commission over Johannesburg’s water crisis
# And rugby: London Irish wants to return to the pinnacle after being rescued out of administration

# Saftu says it strongly condemns trade union Solidarity’s reckless appeal to US president Donald Trump to intensify pressure on the South African government over what it calls racial laws. This follows Solidarity’s attack on policies like BEE and affirmative action. Saftu’s spokesperson, Newton Masuku, says Solidarity’s actions echo AfriForum’s recent disinformation campaign against the Expropriation Act, falsely claiming it threatens property rights and targets white farmers:

# The DA has lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission, citing the severe water shortages in Johannesburg’s eastern suburbs. Spokesperson Jack Bloom says many residents have faced erratic supply or no water for three weeks. He criticises poor service delivery and lack of accountability from Johannesburg Water and Rand Water. Bloom demands immediate relief:

# The South African Police Service has commenced with the training of three-thousand-359 trainees at various academies. A second group of successful candidates will be notified in writing to report for training. Police spokesperson, Amanda van Wyk, says the remaining two-thousand-186 trainees will commence training before the end of this month:

# Rugby: Financially-struggling English club London Irish was given a lifeline when it was bought out of administration by businessman Eddie Jordan. He is the former owner of Formula One team Jordan, which competed in motorsport from 1991 until 2005. London Irish was forced out of the Premiership because of unpaid salaries in June 2023, and put into administration by former owner Mick Crossan with debts of about 688-million-rand. Jordan says his primary goal is to return the club to the pinnacle of international club rugby.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-48-cents and the euro at 19-rand-27-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-11-cents and Bitcoin trades at 96-thousand-325-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-916-dollars-70-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-99-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The South African Heritage Resources Agency is requesting details on gifts and awards presented to former president Nelson Mandela during his tenure as ANC president, South African president, and post-1999. These items, identified in 2017 as having exceptional cultural significance, are being considered for declaration as a Specifically Declared Heritage Collection. The agency requires information on provenance, acquisition, and conditions attached to these gifts. Submissions are due by Monday.

Stay tuned for more news………….