News 15:00

BULLETIN 6 February 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA calls for a probe into alleged maladministration and the abuse of power at Parliament
# Parliament denies claims the speaker is shielding witnesses
# And rugby: England enters the Six Nations as favourites in the clash against Wales

# The DA has urged president Cyril Ramaphosa, Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka , and Parliament to investigate allegations of maladministration and abuse of power. The party submitted a 393-page dossier probing Secretary to Parliament Xolile George’s appointment, his rapid salary escalation, and alleged overspending of over six-million-rand on the 2023 BRICS Parliamentary Forum. DA’s Rikus Badenhorst calls former National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and ex-National Council of Provinces chairperson Amos Masondo to be investigated for possible manipulation of George’s appointment.

Parliament has meanwhile dismissed media reports suggesting current speaker Thoko Didiza is protecting forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan and North West businessman Brian Mogotsi from appearing before the ad hoc committee probing interference in the justice system. Parliament says the claims misrepresent Didiza’s constitutional role. Both witnesses raised security concerns and applied to testify virtually, as permitted by committee rules. Didiza ruled legal thresholds for issuing summonses were not met, stressing subpoenas remain a last resort.

# The Maritime Business Chamber says Ramaphosa must recognise maritime as a national economic priority that extends far beyond ports and Transnet when he delivers his state of the nation address next week Thursday. The chamber’s chairperson, Unathi Sonti, says Ramaphosa must also acknowledge the urgent need to modernise South Africa’s shipyards and dry dock infrastructure, to unlock opportunities in ship repairs, marine engineering, and associated services:

# Green Connection says South Africa’s coastline sustains thousands of households who depend directly on marine resources for food and income, yet many small-scale fishers remain food insecure. The organisation has made a submission to the South African Human Rights Commission’s national investigative hearing into South Africa’s food systems. Green Connection’s Khetha Buthelezi says many small-scale fishers remain excluded from markets and marginalised in decision-making processes that shape the very food systems they sustain:

# Rugby: The odds are heavily in favour of England in tomorrow’s first round Six Nations clash against Wales. England is ranked third in the world and carries an 11-match winning streak into the competition. Wales, meanwhile, has struggled significantly, losing 21 of their last 23 Tests. Historically, England has dominated this fixture at Twickenham where Wales has not secured a Six Nations victory since 2012. Under new defensive coach Steve Tandy, Wales welcomes back Louis Rees-Zammit at full-back, but is missing key skipper Jac Morgan due to injury.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-14-cents and the euro at 19-rand-3-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-92-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-772-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-882-dollars-26-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-35-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….