News 17:00

BULLETIN 31 January 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Stage 3 load-shedding is implemented
# The EFF unveils key resolutions ahead of the local government elections
# And cricket: The Proteas will face India in Sunday’s final of the Under 19 World Cup for women

# Electricity and Energy minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has confirmed that stage 3 load-shedding will be implemented from 5 pm today through the weekend due to planned maintenance and unplanned breakdowns. He told the media Eskom must ensure grid stability and replenishing reserves to prevent further disruptions. Despite the setback, Ramokgopa maintains progress is being made in reducing load-shedding, with additional generating capacity expected to return in the coming months:

Meanwhile, the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse says citizens are still overpaying for electricity, even though the recent price hikes were lower than expected. Tariffs will increase by 12.7-percent from April, which is much lower than Eskom’s application for over 36-persent. The organisation criticises Eskom’s pricing structure, claiming it continues to burden consumers. OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage says Eskom’s financial troubles and mismanagement are contributing to inflated electricity costs. He calls for better regulation in the utility’s pricing:

# The EFF has outlined key resolutions for the party. Speaking at the third National People’s Assembly in Johannesburg, EFF leader Julius Malema said the student command will be renamed to youth command, dissolving regional structures for sub-regional ones, and establishing a political education college. Malema also announced a performance review system for deployed members and reaffirmed the party’s rejection of the Land Expropriation Act:

# Cricket: South Africa will face India in Sunday’s final of the Under 19 World Cup for women in Malaysia. The young Proteas beat Australia by five wickets in today’s first semifinal after Ashleigh van Wyk took four wickets. The Aussies were limited to 105 for eight, whereafter Jemma Botha top-scored for South Africa with 37 and they reached the target with 11 balls to spare. In the second semifinal, India first limited England to 113 for eight and then cruised to a nine-wicket victory within 15 overs.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-63-cents and the euro at 19-rand-36-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-16-cents and Bitcoin trades at 104-thousand-893-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-805-dollars-64-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-78-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Gauteng residents have been cautioned to prepare for a heatwave tomorrow. The South African Weather Service says highs of 33-degrees Celsius in Johannesburg, 34-degrees in Vereeniging, and 35-degrees in Pretoria are expected. Authorities urge residents to stay hydrated, avoid direct sunlight, and take breaks if working outdoors. The heatwave will also affect parts of Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Meanwhile, the Weather Service has issued warnings for severe thunderstorms and fire risks in several provinces.

Stay tuned for more news………….