News 16:00

BULLETIN 28 January 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA leader slams president Cyril Ramaphosa for not consulting with GNU partners on the Expropriation Act
# The SANDF clarifies a misrepresentation of events in a circulating video
# And cricket: Nine spectators are already sharing the two-million-rand’s prize money in the SA20

# DA leader John Steenhuisen has reiterated that the party will not be part of a government that undermines the economy or the Constitution. He criticised president Cyril Ramaphosa for signing the Expropriation Act without consulting partners in the government of national unity. Steenhuisen told the media South Africa needs a coalition led by a party committed to good governance, fiscal discipline, and the rule of law, which the DA embodies:

# The South African National Defence Force has responded to circulating video footage it says is misrepresenting an incident with M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Kongo. It says the footage where soldiers are raising a white flag, was the result of negotiations for a truce to allow M23 to recover casualties, ensuring safe medical access for South African troops. The Defence Force says it’s committed to peacekeeping under a United Nations peacekeeping force in the DRC, with troops unwavering in their mission for peace and stability.

Meanwhile, Kenyan president William Ruto, as chairperson of the East African Community, has called an extraordinary summit to address escalating violence in the eastern DRC. He emphasised diplomacy over military solutions, urging dialogue to resolve the crisis. Ruto says the emergency meeting, set for tomorrow, will include Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame and Congo’s president Félix Tshisekedi:

# Cricket: Nine spectators are already sharing two-million-rand in the SA20. The sponsor has offered the amount, to be shared between all spectators at stadiums who catch a ball with one hand. The latest catch took place in Paarl last night, where Paarl Royals defeated Durban’s Super Giants. The others were at Newlands, Centurion, Durban, and Gqeberha. The prize is currently worth 222-thousand to each of the winners, with the sponsor promising to double the winnings for a spectator who possesses a valid Betway South Africa account.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-73-cents and the euro at 19-rand-50-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-27-cents and Bitcoin trades at 102-thousand-691-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-744-dollars-22-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-71-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The IFP has launched its 50th-anniversary celebration programme in Durban. The party has highlighted its role in shaping South Africa’s democracy. Founded by Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi in 1975, the IFP celebrates its contribution to liberation and post-apartheid governance. Celebrations will take place over several months, starting with a prayer service on 21 March, leading up to a main anniversary rally in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal. Current president Velenkosini Hlabisa acknowledged they experienced some major challenges over the years:

Stay tuned for more news………….