News 18:00

BULLETIN 6 December 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The SAA pilots’ strike grounds flights and cancels Parliament’s oversight visit
# The ANC welcomes the deportation of Chris Hani’s killer amid calls for an inquest
# And rugby: Three SA teams play in the difficult Champions Cup

# Disruptions from the South African Airways pilots’ strike have led to the cancellation of Parliament’s Justice portfolio committee’s oversight visit. The strike, now in its second day, has cancelled 60-percent of flights. Pilots demand a 15.7-percent salary hike, but SAA offers 8.46-percent. CEO John Lamola warns of financial strain if the strike persists beyond three days. Domestic airlines face increased demand as travellers scramble for alternatives.

# The ANC has welcomed the deportation of Janusz Walus to Poland today after completing his parole. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula criticized Walus for leaving South Africa without revealing the full truth about anti-apartheid activist Chris Hani’s assassination in 1993. Hani’s family has urged further investigation. Mbalula says it’s a difficult time for South Africans and the Hani family:

# The Tyger Valley Mall in Bellville, Cape Town, was evacuated earlier today, after a bomb threat. According to eyewitnesses, hundreds of people were assembled in the parking areas, waiting for more information. A Facebook user posted that he was in the centre’s food square when the evacuation order was given. The centre’s management a while back confirmed that they received an all clear from the police’s bomb squad and that there were no threats. Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg says the centre is open for business again and continues to operate as usual: 

# DA federal leader, John Steenhuisen, has blamed premier Panyaza Lesufi for the worsening water crisis in Gauteng, accusing him of failing to implement effective solutions. Steenhuisen highlighted the DA’s commitment to better water infrastructure and management, stressing the need for collaboration across all levels of government. He calls for the national water crisis to be approached with practical solutions:

# Rugby: The 2024/’25 Champions Cup season kicks off this weekend, starting with the match between Bath and La Rochelle in England this evening. Three South African teams are involved in the competition, described as the pinnacle for club rugby in the world. It consists of 24 teams competing in four groups. The Sharks host Exeter Chiefs in Durban tomorrow afternoon and the Stormers will welcome Toulon to Gqeberha. The Bulls are away to Saracens in London tomorrow night.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-98-cents and the euro at 19-rand-3-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-96-cents and Bitcoin trades at 98-thousand-836-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-628-dollars-32-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-25-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….