News 18:00

BULLETIN 3 January 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Mbalula calls on South Africans to give Ramaphosa a chance to continue leading
# Department withholds details of Oscar Pistorius’ parole release
# And, cricket: Proteas bowl out India for 153 runs

#  ANC secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula has urged South Africans to vote for the ANC.  He told the media voters should give president Cyril Ramaphosa a second chance to lead the country. Earlier, two former presidents, Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki, vowed not to vote for the ANC in this year’s elections. Mbalula says former leaders of the ANC should not criticise Ramaphosa as he had to contend with Covid-19, the 2022 July riots and state capture, amongst others:

Meanwhile, the Human Sciences Research Council has reported concerning findings on public trust in the Independent Electoral Commission. News24 reports the council’s research indicates a lack of confidence among South Africans as the IEC prepares to lead provincial and national elections this year. The study reveals a decline in voter participation, with only 46-percent of registered voters taking part in the 2021 local government elections. This downward trend raises alarms about diminishing public trust in democratic institutions, posing challenges and implications for the integrity of future electoral processes.

# The Department of Correctional Services maintains strict confidentiality around the impending parole release of convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius, effective from Friday, citing security concerns. The decision, aligning with the victim-centred justice system, aims to protect the safety and privacy of both Pistorius and those involved in the process. The former Paralympian shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, at his home in Pretoria on Valentine’s Day in 2013. The department’s spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, says this move restricts media access to transportation plans and release timing:

# Britain’s electricity production from fossil fuels sank to its lowest level in almost 70 years last year as the nation embraces renewables. Analysis from specialist website, Carbon Brief, shows coal, gas and oil generated 104 terawatt hours of electricity, a total last seen in 1957. Electricity from fossil fuels has now fallen by two-thirds since hitting a peak in 2008, caused by both a renewables boom and weaker electricity demand. Fossil fuels accounted for around one-third of total UK electricity supplies last year, attaining the lowest ever share.

# Cricket: It’s been raining wickets on the first day of the second and final Test between South Africa and India at Newlands in Cape Town. The Proteas won the toss and elected to bat, and were dismissed for just 55 after Mohammed Siraj took six wickets. India started well but then all fell apart with the last six wickets falling without a run being scored. Kagiso Rabada, Nandré Burger and Lungi Ngidi took three wickets each as India were bowled out for 153, giving the visitors a lead of 98 runs.

Stay tuned for more news………….