News 16:00

BULLETIN 10 February 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Next of kin are urged to provide DNA samples in the Stilfontein zama zama probe
# The SA Weather Service calls for patience as cybersecurity experts work to restore its systems
# And cricket: Corbin Bosch replaces Anrich Nortjé in the Proteas’ Champions Trophy squad

# Families of missing illegal miners are urged to provide DNA samples to assist in the identification process in Stilfontein in North West. Relatives who suspect their loved ones were working in the Khuma or Stilfontein area and have been unaccounted for are asked to visit the Stilfontein police station on Thursday and Friday. Police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone says so far, 18 DNA samples have been collected as part of the ongoing investigation:

Meanwhile, rescue efforts at the Rand Lease Mine in Roodepoort have been called off amid safety concerns. This follows after rescuers reached a makeshift platform, making the area too dangerous to proceed. Johannesburg Emergency Management Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi confirmed they are now exploring alternative ways to access the shaft. He says on Saturday, authorities received reports of two people inside the mine, but it is believed there could be more zama zamas underground:

# The South African Weather Service is asking for patience as experts work to fix its information and communications technology systems after a cyberattack two weeks ago. While some services have been impacted, essential services like aviation and severe weather forecasting continue through other methods. The service’s Oupa Segalwe says the team is working to remove the virus and recover data, but it’s taking longer than expected:

# Chinese Foreign minister Wang Yi will visit Europe and the United States this week before attending a Group of 20 meeting in South Africa. The announcement comes after Wang’s US counterpart, Marco Rubio, said he would skip the G20 talks over an anti-American agenda. US president Donald Trump has already pulled his country out of multiple international organisations, including the World Health Organisation. Wang will visit Britain and Ireland and attend the Munich security conference in Germany, before flying to Johannesburg for the G20 Foreign ministers’ meeting.

# Cricket: Titans fast bowler Corbin Bosch has been named as the replacement for the injured Anrich Nortjé in the Proteas squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The 30-year-old made his ODI debut in December last year. Eighteen-year-old Kwena Maphaka has also been added as a travelling reserve. Bosch and Maphaka, along with batter Tony de Zorzi, departed for Karachi yesterday to join the squad for the remainder of the tri-nation ODI series against Pakistan and New Zealand.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-41-cents and the euro at 18-rand-98-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-79-cents and Bitcoin trades at 97-thousand-651-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-906-dollars-72-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-37-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….