News 18:00
BULLETIN 21 January 6 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# A witness in a murder case is shot dead outside court in Lenasia
# The DA slams the Health minister’s callous response to the unemployment crisis in the public health sector
# And tennis: Novak Djokovic stuns Carlos Alcaraz to reach his 50th Grand Slam semifinal
# Police are searching for two suspects who fatally shot a 27-year-old man outside the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court in Gauteng today. The victim, a witness in a murder trial, was approached and shot without warning. One other person was wounded. Gauteng police spokesperson Mavela Masondo has appealed to anyone with information to contact their nearest police station to aid the investigation:
# The DA says Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi is ignoring the thousands of unemployed doctors and pharmacists. They accuse him of focusing on the National Health Insurance while neglecting the shortage of medical staff in public hospitals. The DA’s Michele Clarke warns the NHI plan is making the situation worse, especially in areas like the Eastern Cape, where clinics are closing due to a lack of staff:
# The Mining Affected Communities United in Action has expressed deep concerns over the treatment of miners rescued at Stilfontein in North West. MACUA has highlighted inadequate handling of the miners’ health and rights. The organisation emphasises misleading reports on hospitalisation, the dire health conditions of detained miners, inhumane treatment under police supervision, and a pattern of victimisation and retribution. MACUA calls for immediate accountability and the establishment of a comprehensive commission of inquiry to address these human rights violations.
# Tennis: 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic stunned young Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz to reach the penultimate round of the Australian Open. The ten-time champion lost the first set 4-6 to the world number three before gradually taking control of the match. The 37-year-old Serbian won the next three sets 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to reach his 50th Grand Slam semifinal. Djokovic will next face world number two, Alexander Zverev of Germany, who beat American Tommy Paul in four sets in their quarterfinal.
# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-53-cents and the euro at 19-rand-24-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-76-cents and Bitcoin trades at 104-thousand-611-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-730-dollars-2-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-18-cents a barrel.
# And finally: The National Sea Rescue Institute is calling for the immediate reporting of any unusual seal behaviour in Cape Town. This follows a recent incident involving freedivers and a seal at Simon’s Town’s Windmill Beach in False Bay. The institute’s spokesperson, Andrew Ingram, urges swimmers, divers, and beachgoers to stay alert for signs of aggression, disorientation, or sickness in seals, particularly if rabies is suspected:
Stay tuned for more news………….