News 17:00

BULLETIN 15 February 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the elections are likely to sharpen disparities in perspectives
# Eskom restores electricity to the Central Karoo
# And Cricket: A bad day at the office for the Proteas Women at the WACA

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the upcoming elections are likely to intensify differences in perspectives. In his response to the state of the nation address debate, he acknowledges sharp contrasts in the ongoing two-day debate about the nation’s history. Ramaphosa asserts these disparities have been heightened by the anticipation of the upcoming elections, the date of which is still undetermined. He notes the positive transformation in the lives of millions of citizens during the past three decades, despite political divisions:

# Eskom has confirmed the full restoration of electricity to Central Karoo towns and surrounding areas. Teams have been working tirelessly to re-energise the network, with the first of seven substations live since early morning. According to the power utility, customers in the affected areas will be exempted from load-shedding until February 26, 2024.

# Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema condemns the deployment of the South African National Defence Force soldiers to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, citing a lack of training and resources, and demoralisation among soldiers. This after two soldiers were killed and three others injured by mortar fire in Goma. President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the deployment of two-thousand-900 soldiers to combat M23 rebels. Briefing the media, Malema demands the immediate withdrawal of the troops:

# Local police and the FBI have asked for information on yesterday’s shooting during the Super Bowl victory parade in Kansas City. Local DJ Lisa Lopez-Galvan was killed and her son and over 20 more people wounded when shots were fired during Kansas City Chiefs’ celebrations. The FBI set up a website, asking people with videos of the shootings to post it there. Three people were arrested, while the authorities don’t regard the incident as terror-related.

# Cricket: It was a bad day at the office for the Proteas Women at the start of the one-off Test against Australia at the WACA in Perth. The visitors were bowled out for a meagre 76 after the hosts’ captain, Alyssa Healy, won the toss and sent them in to bat. Suné Luus’s 26 was the highest score. Healy then fell agonisingly short of her maiden Test century when she was dismissed for 99. At stumps, Australia finished on 251 for five – a lead of 175 runs.

Stay tuned for more news………….