News 17:00

BULLETIN 5 February 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The outgoing DA leader warns against unstable coalitions in the Western Cape ahead of local government elections
# Katiso ‘KT’ Molefe’s pre-trial hearing is postponed for state disclosure to the defence
# And rugby: The Welsh flanker Josh Macleod believes they can spring a surprise on England on Saturday

# Outgoing DA leader John Steenhuisen has warned against unstable coalition governments in the Western Cape ahead of the local government elections. Speaking at the announcement of mayoral candidates for the province, Steenhuisen emphasised that strong majorities are essential to ensure service delivery, clean governance, and public safety. He urged voters to support DA-led municipalities, arguing that messy coalitions often fail to implement policies effectively, leaving communities with decaying infrastructure and disrupted basic services:

# The pre-trial hearing of alleged crime kingpin Katiso ‘KT’ Molefe and three co-accused was postponed to 12 March at the High Court in Johannesburg. The state will provide full disclosures to the defence tomorrow. They accused face 35 charges, including murder and conspiracy, linked to the killings of musicians DJ Sumbody and DJ Vetties, engineer Armand Swart, and businessman Don Tindleni. Molefe arrived in a bulletproof vehicle with armed bodyguards. The court gave a judicial warning to the accused for speaking and covering their mouths during proceedings.

# Mining Review Africa has called for safer practices, accountability, and dignity in the sector. This as South Africa marks ten years since the Lily Mine collapse in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, on 5 February 2016, which claimed the lives of Solomon Nyirenda, Yvonne Mnisi, and Pretty Winnie Nkambule. Families continue to mourn amid delays in reopening the mine and recovering remains. Meanwhile, the Junior Mining Council urges industry and authorities to prioritise justice, safety, and closure, ensuring such a tragedy is never repeated.

# The Kremlin says it doesn’t want to waste time answering questions about unproven suggestions that late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein may have been some sort of Russian intelligence asset. The claims were made in Western media and by Polish prime minister Donald Tusk. Russian officials say claims of a link between Epstein and Russian intelligence are thrust into the public sphere to distract from a scandal they say has laid bare the hypocrisy of powerful men across the US and Europe.

# Rugby: Welsh flanker Josh Macleod believes they can spring a surprise in Saturday’s Six Nations opener against England at Twickenham in London. The hosts, who won their last 11 matches, are the overwhelming favourites against luckless Wales, who had lost 21 of their last 23 Tests. The visitors’ internal problem, include a row over their union’s plans to reduce the number of professional clubs from four to three. But Macleod says the physical battle could pull his team out of situations where they are on the back foot.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-16-cents and the euro at 19-rand-7-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-94-cents and Bitcoin trades at 69-thousand-260-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-849-dollars-32-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-99-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….