News 16:00

BULLETIN 15 December 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Presidency encourages G20 members to express their views in rejection of the US’ position on SA
# One man is arrested in the Tembisa principal’s murder case
# And cricket: The Proteas Women can clinch the ODI series against Ireland tomorrow

# The Presidency says South Africa has called on other G20 members to express views in rejecting the US position on South Africa not participating in the G20. Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says South Africa does not need invitations to meetings. He says South Africa is engaging other G20 members to uphold consensus-based processes, while continuing to champion issues from the Johannesburg summit. Magwanya also confirmed communication with G7 countries:

# A 50-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the house robbery and murder of a school principal in Tembisa, Gauteng. Police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi says investigations following leads, led to the suspect’s apprehension at his home. She says further arrests may follow as the investigation continues:

# A device-neutral household levy is emerging as the preferred replacement to the SABC TV licence system. This comes as TV licence avoidance has risen sharply to 85-percent from 69-percent in 2019, worsening the SABC’s finances. The Communications Department has appointed BMI TechKnowledge to develop a sustainable funding model, now due by 6 February. Both the broadcaster’s CEO, Nomsa Chabeli, and board chairperson Khathutshelo Ramukumba recently admitted the scheme is outdated and unsustainable, backing a universal levy collected by the South African Revenue Service.

# Teachers’ union Sadtu’s national executive committee says the National Senior Certificate exam leak should not compromise the overall integrity of the examination. The Department of Basic Education confirmed a breach which involved 26 learners from seven Pretoria schools. Sadtu’s spokesperson, Nomusa Cembi, says the NEC has flagged issues of concern in these exams, including learners struggling to cope with exam anxiety and stress, leading to transgressions in examination rooms:

# Cricket: The Proteas Women can clinch the one-day series against Ireland in Gqeberha tomorrow after winning the first encounter in East London on Saturday. Suné Luus and Miané Smit led South Africa’s charge, contributing undefeated scores of 66 and 56, respectively, after Nonkululeko Mblaba took three wickets. Ireland was restricted to 209 for seven and the Proteas reached the winning target with just three wickets down and over ten overs remaining. The final ODI will be played in Johannesburg on Friday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-79-cents and the euro at 19-rand-73-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-47-cents and Bitcoin trades at 89-thousand-637-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-343-dollars-93-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-61-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….