News 16:00

BULLETIN 21 January 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Ramokgopa identifies a way to lower electricity prices
# SANParks reopens the Kruger National Park’s Crocodile Bridge gate as the weather eases
# And the City of Cape Town urges fans to plan ahead for the Stormers vs Sharks and the SA20 final

# Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says his team has identified a solution to reduce electricity costs. Speaking from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, he says coal, which makes up about 40-percent of electricity costs, is the key driver. Ramokgopa notes reducing coal costs could bring prices down, offering relief to consumers after a 12.7-percent increase last year and looming hikes this year.

# ActionSA reveals the government of national unity spent over 3.7-billion-rand on VIP and static protection in the 2024/25 financial, far exceeding the 2.4-billion-rand allocated to the Hawks. Spokesperson Alan Beesley says projected spending rises to four-billion-rand in the next financial year, reflecting skewed priorities, with executive comfort favoured over fighting crime and corruption. Beesley says a 3.8-percent salary increase for ministers and deputies highlights the disconnect with citizens’ hardships:

# SANParks says with severe weather easing in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, including Kruger National Park, the Crocodile Bridge gate will reopen to day-visitors from tomorrow. Spokesperson JP Louw notes that gravel roads remain closed, the dam wall is compromised, and southern and northern park sections are cut off. He says Malelane, Numbi, and Paul Kruger gates remain open with an entry quota system.

# The City of Cape Town says traffic and public safety services will be in place for a busy sports weekend. The Stormers host the Sharks at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, and the SA20 cricket final takes place at Newlands on Sunday. Metrorail services to Newlands will be available to ease congestion. Mayoral committee member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, advised residents that roads around the venues may be affected throughout the weekend:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-33-cents and the euro at 19-rand-14-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-90-cents and Bitcoin trades at 88-thousand-177-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-859-dollars-69-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-48-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The City of Cape Town says 129-thousand-377 children were tagged as part of the Identikidz Programme during the festive season. The programme is aimed at keeping young children safe on beaches. The annual child safety intervention kicked off on 15 December and drew to a close this past Sunday. Mayoral committee member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham, says the busiest participating beaches were Strand, Muizenberg and Strandfontein:

Stay tuned for more news………….