News 15:00

BULLETIN 29 January 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC’s National Executive Committee decides to suspend Jacob Zuma from the party
# The Road Traffic Management Corporation’s online licence renewal portal shows phenomenal growth 
# And boxing: Minister Kodwa congratulates Chauke for winning the IBO flyweight title 

# The ANC’s national executive committee has decided to suspend former president Jacob Zuma from the party with immediate effect. According to News24, the NEC reached a consensus on Zuma’s suspension during a late-night meeting. Secretary-general Fikile Mbalula is expected to formally notify Zuma in writing. This follows Zuma’s announcement that he will not campaign or vote for the ANC following the formation of his new uMkhonto weSizwe Party. The NEC chose suspension over expulsion, as the latter would require lengthier disciplinary processes. Zuma has 48 hours to respond to the allegations against him.

# The Road Traffic Management Corporation says its online vehicle licence renewals is growing fast and winning public confidence. The service was introduced in February 2022 to save time for motorists and improve efficiency. Since then, 1.41-million vehicle owners have registered and transacted on the portal. People above the age of 60 are exempt from booking. The RTMC’s spokesperson, Simon Zwane, says they can go to any driving licence testing centre without prior booking and will be served:

# The City of Cape Town praises the city’s thriving boat building industry and is outlining plans to further grow the sector. Marine manufacturing has brought in over 25-billion-rand in investments and created nearly 12-thousand jobs in Cape Town since 2014. Mayoral committee member for Economic Growth, James Vos, says the thriving boat building industry is a source of tremendous pride and economic growth for the city:

# Oil prices have surged following a drone attack on United States forces in Jordan, raising concern about Middle East supply disruptions. Houthi rebels intensified Red Sea attacks, hitting a Trafigura-operated tanker. Brent crude rose to over 83-rand-55 a barrel this morning. The drone strike signalled a potential escalation, impacting regional energy supply. Trafigura will assess security risks after the Red Sea attack. Russian refined product exports may also drop due to drone-affected refineries. Analysts anticipate a market repricing due to the risk of disruptions.

# Boxing: Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, has congratulated South African Jackson van Tonder Chauke for winning the vacant International Boxing Organisation flyweight title. He beat Quaise Khademi who was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, but is based in England, at the York Hall in London on Saturday night. The ministry’s spokesperson, Litha Mpondwana, says Kodwa has expressed his desire for South African boxing to be revived and return to the heights it has scaled before:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-77-cents and the euro at 20-rand-31-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-85-cents and Bitcoin trades at 42-thousand-258-dollars-79-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-and-25-dollars-95-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 83-dollars-8-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….