News 15:00

BULLETIN 10 February 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Paul O’Sullivan rejects allegations that he acted as a foreign agent
# Western Cape traffic services step up livestock inspections to curb foot-and-mouth disease
# And motorsport: McLaren’s CEO says Piastri is on a similar career trajectory as Norris

# Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan has rejected allegations he acted as an agent for foreign intelligence agencies. He is testifying before Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing alleged political interference in the justice system. O’Sullivan explains holding multiple passports is purely for travel convenience. He stresses he has not performed any foreign agent activities over 40-years living in South Africa:

# Minerals Council South Africa has revealed the mining sector remains under strain as mining’s GDP contribution fell to 439.2-billion-rand. Speaking at the Mining Indaba in Cape Town, CEO Mzila Mthenjane says its Facts and Figures 2025 Pocketbook shows while higher commodity prices and record chrome and manganese exports boosted revenues, the mining sector is under pressure due to production decline. He insists that rising electricity costs, weak rail-port performance, and regulatory delays continue to constrain competitiveness.

# The Western Cape Mobility Department has stepped up livestock inspections to help curb the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. Joint operations with the provincial Agriculture Department saw heavy vehicles transporting animals stopped and checked for permits, load compliance, and roadworthiness. Chief director of Traffic Management, Maxine Bezuidenhout, says more than one-thousand-600 vehicles transporting livestock were checked, resulting in fines worth over 347-thousand-rand:

# Forum for South Africa has condemned the continued delays in the Senzo Meyiwa murder case currently before the High Court in Pretoria. The Bafana Bafana captain was shot dead at his girlfriend, singer Kelly Khumalo’s home in Vosloorus, Gauteng, on 26 October 2014. The five men who are standing trial for the murder, have all pleaded not guilty. FOSA leader, Tebogo Mashilompane, says the delays are affecting the Meyiwa family:

# Motorsport: McLaren CEO Zak Brown believes his Australian driver, Oscar Piastri, is on a similar Formula One career trajectory as British teammate Lando Norris, who clinched the world championship last season. He says Piastri has way less experience than Norris, but their development over the years is similar. Both drivers won seven races last year. Brown says both are raring to go when the new season starts in Melbourne in Piastri’s home country early next month.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-93-cents and the euro at 18-rand-97-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-76-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-886-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-and-46-dollars-18-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-87-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….