News 15:00

BULLETIN 28 January 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Johannesburg Development Agency’s CEO is released on bail
# Parents struggle with placement in special needs schools
# And surfing: The DA calls minister McKenzie to account following the loss of the Jeffreys Bay World Surf League event

# Johannesburg Development Agency CEO Themba Mathibe was released on bail following his arrest after a law enforcement raid at the Johannesburg Social Housing Company offices in Braamfontein, linked to suspected contract irregularities. Mathibe was arrested at his home after allegedly being found with a substantial amount of cash. This follows less than two years into his tenure. He was previously linked to a forensic probe over a nearly one-million-rand security wall at a non-existent old-age home.

# The Gauteng government has launched a 16-million-rand initiative to curb the spread of foot-and-mouth disease in the province. Premier Panyaza Lesufi says 286-thousand vaccine doses have already been administered, with 90-thousand more expected by the end of March. The campaign, targeting livestock farmers and high-risk communities, involves vaccinations, inspections, and awareness drives. Officials say the initiative aims to protect livelihoods, ensure food security, and reduce the economic impact of the disease on farmers and local communities.

# AfriForum is calling for tighter safeguards and mandatory community involvement in the proposed Intergovernmental Monitoring, Support and Interventions Bill, warning it could repeat past failures. AfriForum’s Morné Mostert says they support stronger intervention powers, but expanded mechanisms alone won’t fix collapsing municipalities. He argues the bill ignores structural problems like skills shortages and poor financial management, and also criticises the lack of community participation:

# The National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities warns parents are struggling to secure spots for children in special needs schools. Director Therina Wentzel told SABC News placement delays are escalating, leaving some children at home instead of schools. She emphasises this violates the constitutional right to education, and calls for urgent intervention to ensure timely placements for learners living with disabilities:

# Surfing: The DA has initiated an investigation against Sport, Arts and Culture minister Gayton McKenzie over the loss of the World Surf League Open in Jeffreys Bay from the 2026 Championship Tour calendar. DA spokesperson Leah Potgieter says government commitments to support the event were not honoured. Potgieter warns the move costs the Eastern Cape about 100-million-rand. She urges prevention of further losses of major sporting events.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-89-cents and the euro at 19-rand-2-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-89-cents and Bitcoin trades at 89-thousand-299-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-256-dollars-50-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-42-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….