News 15:00

BULLETIN 16 January 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Motshekga denies claims that the president’s instructions on the military exercises were ignored
# Continued heavy rain raises the risk of widespread flooding, fast-flowing rivers and road closures in Limpopo and Mpumalanga
# And rugby: The Sharks strengthen their squad with two overseas South African players

# Minister of Defence, Angie Motshekga, dismissed allegations that president Cyril Ramaphosa’s instructions on the conduct of Exercise Will for Peace military exercises were ignored. The department’s spokesperson, Siphiwe Dlamini, says the directive, including Iran’s participation, was clearly communicated and agreed upon. He says a board of inquiry has been established to investigate the claims:

# Continued heavy rain in Limpopo and Mpumalanga is raising the risk of widespread flooding, fast-flowing rivers, and road closures. The South African Weather Service has issued a red level ten warning for areas including Maruleng, Ba-Phalaborwa, Nkomazi, Mbombela, Bushbuckridge, Giyani, Tzaneen, Letaba, and Collins Chabane. Residents are urged to avoid flooded roads and move to higher ground. Forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela says weather conditions are expected to gradually improve from Monday.

# The DA demands an independent forensic investigation into the awarding of the fourth Lotto licence. The party’s Toby Chance questions Sizekhaya Holdings’ bid process, including the role of SocialPro and its alleged irregular removal. He flags potential political links to deputy president Paul Mashatile and possible breaches of licence conditions, calling on minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau to ensure transparency and accountability in the licence awarding process:

# Rugby: The Sharks have signed two players to strenghthen their forward pack. Lock Stephan Lewies previously played for the team from 2012 to 2018 before moving to Harlequins in England. He captained the team to the Premiership title in the 2020/21 season. Tighthead Nemo Roelofse has established himself in the French Top 14 league, playing for clubs like Stade Français and Perpignan. The signings are part of the Sharks’ strategy to bolster their forward pack with experienced players for the upcoming season.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-37-cents and the euro at 19-rand-2-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-94-cents and Bitcoin trades at 95-thousand-318-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-609-dollars-32-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-5-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A new CNN poll has found three-quarters of Americans do not want the US to take control of Greenland. President Donald Trump has stated that anything less than control of the Danish territory is unacceptable, arguing it is vital to his country’s national security. Seventy-five-percent of those surveyed oppose the move, including 52-percent who strongly reject the idea. Meanwhile, nearly six in ten Americans are concerned that Trump has gone too far in trying to expand the US’s power over other countries. 

Stay tuned for more news………….