News 16:00

BULLETIN NEWS AGENCY 31 DECEMBER pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The SIU uncovers corruption in the Free State’s international bursary scheme
# A UN report says hospitals in the Gaza Strip are on the verge of collapse
# And, soccer: Gareth Southgate is knighted in Britain’s New Year Honours

# The Special Investigating Unit is probing the Free State’s controversial international bursary programme. Intended to support disadvantaged students, the programme later faced criticism as beneficiaries struggled to secure employment with their international qualifications. The investigation has so far uncovered mismanagement and corruption. Provincial government spokesperson Matshediso Setai told SABC News that the programme has cost government 3.9-billion-rand to date:

# Police deputy minister Polly Boshielo has urged parents and communities to report sexual abuse cases to the police. She spoke after attending the appearance of a 28-year-old man accused of impregnating a 13-year-old girl in the Seshego Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo. Boshielo stressed the importance of protecting children and holding offenders accountable:

# A United Nations report says Israeli strikes on and near hospitals in the Gaza Strip had left healthcare in the Palestinian territory on the verge of collapse. The UN Human Rights office says Israel’s pattern of deadly attacks on and near hospitals, and associated combat, pushed the healthcare system to the brink of total collapse, with a catastrophic effect on Palestinians’ access to health and medical care. UN Rights chief Volker Turk says hospitals in the area had become a death trap.

# Soccer: Former England manager Gareth Southgate has been knighted in Britain’s New Year Honours. He earned the award after a largely successful spell in charge of England from 2016 to ’24. The 54-year-old led England to two consecutive European Championship finals, but came up short as they were beaten by Italy on penalties in 2021 and lost to Spain in this year’s showpiece. Southgate becomes the fourth former England manager to receive a knighthood, after the 1966 World Cup winning handler Alf Ramsey, Walter Winterbottom and Bobby Robson.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-86-cents and the euro at 19-rand-62-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-64-cents and Bitcoin trades at 94-thousand-406-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-609-dollars-98-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-50-cents a barrel.

# And, finally: Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has hailed the late Professor Sibusiso Bengu as a pioneering figure in South Africa’s education system. The country’s first minister of Education after 1994, died peacefully in his sleep last night at the age of 90. He is hailed for his role in dismantling apartheid-era policies and shaping an inclusive, equal education system. Makaneta praised Bengu’s vision, dedication, and impact over the years:

Stay tuned for more news………….