News 16:00

BULLETIN 2 January 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# TAX Justice SA says a court ruling should smoke out illicit cigarette kingpins
# Human Rights Commission calls for intensified disaster preparedness plans following the floods in KZN
# And, tennis: Nadal beats Thiem in first singles match in almost a year

# TAX Justice SA founder, Yusuf Abramjee has welcomed a vital legal breakthrough against the illicit tobacco barons who are stealing billions of rand from South Africa. Several cigarette manufacturers have failed in their urgent bid to interdict the SA Revenue Service against installing CCTV cameras at their warehouses. Abramjee says now these companies, including Carnilinx, which is owned by self-confessed tobacco smuggler Adriano Mazzotti, should have to heed laws enabling SARS to monitor the true volume of cigarettes being produced:

#  The South African Human Rights Commission has issued a plea for the observance of human rights in response to the flooding crisis in KwaZulu-Natal. The Commission appeals for the observance of human rights in responding to the flash floods and adverse weather conditions which continue to affect the most vulnerable communities. The commission also appeals to the Provincial Government and relevant stakeholders to ensure rapid and constant responsiveness to this on-going crisis. The Commission says communities should exercise caution during these periods and aid their fellow residents where possible.

# Western Cape MEC for Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers says the repairs of Clarence Drive between Gordon’s Bay and Betty’s Bay in the Western Cape will cost close to 80-million-rand. This includes repairs to the Palmiet Bridge, which also sustained damage. Clarence Drive was reopened last month with six stop-and-go sections for single lane traffic. This scenic route suffered serious damage because of several significant landslips and rockslides during the Heritage Day long weekend floods. The project is currently projected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of this year.

# Tennis: 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal has beaten Austria’s Dominic Thiem in straight sets in his first singles match in almost a year. The 37-year-old Spaniard won 7-6, 6-1 in the round of 32 at the Brisbane International – his first professional tournament since injuring his hip in last year’s Australian Open. Nadal said earlier 2024 would be his final year on tour, but told ESPN he’s keeping his options open:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-48-cents and the euro at 20-rand-27-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-39-cents and Bitcoin trades at 45-thousand-360-dollars-16-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-and-67-dollars-53-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-82-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Gauteng Police commissioner Elias Mawela has confirmed that motorists in Johannesburg incurred fines totaling 28-thousand-rand on New Year’s Eve. Additionally, law enforcement made 822 arrests for various crimes, ranging from murder and rape to robbery and assault. Operations were conducted in multiple parts of the CBD, including Hillbrow and Maboneng. Mawela assured the public of upcoming crime-fighting initiatives, and acknowledged a shortage of police. He underscored the commitment to ensuring the CBD remains a safe environment for residents and workers.

Stay tuned for more news………….