News 17:00

BULLETIN 13 January 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# ActionSA challenge IPID’s ‘top secret’ classification of the Phala Phala investigation
# Paul Mashatile congratulates the Matric Class of 2025
# And, the Western Cape government seeks a provincial disaster declaration amid wildfires and a water crisis

# ActionSA is preparing a legal action to challenge Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s decision to classify its Phala Phala investigation report as top secret. ActionSA’s Michael Beaumont says IPID ignored an appeal and delayed releasing the findings. He says the party will challenge the constitutionality of the Minimum Information Security Standards policy, the rationality of the classification, and seek a court order compelling IPID to hand over the report:

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile has congratulated the Matric Class of 2025 following the release of the National Senior Certificate results. Mashatile praised learners for their resilience, discipline and determination, describing the achievement as a contribution to South Africa’s future. Spokesperson Itumeleng Mafatshe says Mashatile reaffirmed government’s commitment to investing in young people and expanding inclusive opportunities for their participation in the economy:

# The Western Cape government is seeking a provincial state of disaster as wildfires spread, and the water crisis deepens. In Knysna, the main Akkerkloof Dam is at just 15-percent capacity, enough for about ten days, while level four water restrictions are in place. Premier Alan Winde says the declaration would allow faster funding, better resource management, and targeted support for affected areas:

# Central banks across the world have declared full solidarity with the Federal Reserve’s chairperson after the US launched a criminal investigation into Jerome Powell. The heads of the Bank of England, the European Central Bank and the Bank of Canada are among 11 senior bankers who have signed a statement highlighting the importance of independence in setting interest rates. The investigation comes after a year of relentless attacks on Powell by US president Donald Trump. He criticised Powell’s decisions on interest rates and also launched personal attacks.

# Rugby: The Bulls’ touring squad for their next two matches abroad had been strengthened by the return of Springboks Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie, who have both recovered from concussion-releated injuries. Arendse last played for the Pretoria team in October, and Moodie’s last outing was against the Stormers earlier this month. The Bulls play Pau in France in a Champions Cup match on Friday night, followed by a United Rugby Championship battle against Edinburgh in Scotland a week later.

And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-45-cents and the euro at 19-rand-17-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-14-cents and Bitcoin trades at 91-thousand-912-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-601-dollars-92-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-61-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….