News 16:00

BULLETIN 22 February 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC anticipates 75-thousand attendees for the manifesto launch in Durban
# Gangsters controlling South Africa’s cigarette trade are being allowed to continue operating
# And Soccer: The former Brazilian ace Dani Alves goes to jail for sexual assault

# The ANC says it is all systems go for its manifesto launch on Saturday at the Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban. Anticipating a massive turnout, the party has meticulously planned for an attendance of 75-thousand people. This includes 65-thousand seated members and an additional ten-thousand on the pitch, with provisions for overflow outside the venue. Deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane says provinces across the country have expressed interest and details on their participation will be disclosed by the party secretariat:

# TAX Justice SA founder, Yusuf Abramjee says gangsters controlling South Africa’s cigarette trade are being allowed to continue operating with impunity and no fear. Yesterday, Finance minister Enoch Godongwana announced South African Revenue Service investigations into the gold and tobacco industries has resulted in 10-billion-rand in additional tax assessments. Abramjee says authorities now have to explain why no arrests or prosecutions of the kingpins have taken place:

# Western Cape Agriculture MEC, Ivan Meyer is advocating for the inclusion of veterinary services in the Provincial Powers Bill to bolster animal welfare, public health and biosecurity. Meyer’s call comes after the discovery of 19-thousand cattle in appalling conditions aboard the AI Kuwait vessel in Cape Town harbour destined for Iraq from Brazil. Eight cattle had to be euthanized, and three already died. Meyer believes that the draft Powers Bill was a possible remedy to avoid similar occurrences in the future.

# Soccer: Former Brazilian ace Dani Alves was handed a four-and-a-half-year prison sentence by a Spanish court for sexually assaulting a woman in a nightclub in Barcelona in 2022. Forty-year-old Alves, widely regarded as one of the best full-backs of all time, has won an incredible 43 senior titles during his career. He represented his country in 126 matches between 2006 and 2022, and also played for clubs such as Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain. The court also ordered Alves to pay the victim over three-million-rand.

# And finally: An orphaned elephant calf named Phabeni has been embraced by an elephant mom and her daughter at the Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development Sanctuary in Limpopo. Phabeni, rescued in November last year at just four months old, has found solace and care within the adoptive herd. Setombe, the elephant mom, has welcomed Phabeni into the fold, allowing the little one to suckle, marking the beginning of an unexpected bond.

Stay tuned for more news………….