News 18:00

BULLETIN 19 January 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa commends the historic 82.9-percent matric pass rate
# Stage 2 load-shedding is extended until Sunday due to improved generation capacity
# And rugby: Two 15s players make their debut for the Blitzboks in the world series

# President Cyril Ramaphosa commends the matric class of 2023 for securing a historic 82.9-percent pass rate, the highest in national senior certificate history. The president applauded learners, teachers, and parents, for their resilience during the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. The results also reveal the highest number of bachelor passes and distinctions ever recorded. With a 2.8-percentage point improvement over 2022, the trend signifies commitment to educational advancement. Ramaphosa interprets the results as a testament to 30-years of progress in freedom and democracy, motivating aspirations for comprehensive development.

# Eskom has announced the continuation of stage two load-shedding until 5 AM on Sunday, due to a generation unit’s return and reduced load losses. Thereafter, stage one will be in effect from 5 AM to 4 PM on Sunday, with a further update expected in the afternoon. Unplanned outages affect 13-thousand-792 megawatts, and planned maintenance sees eight-thousand-484 megawatts out of service. Power station managers are striving to restore two-thousand-150 megawatts by Sunday evening. Eskom urges continued efforts to alleviate pressure on the power system.

# Federation union Cosatu has expressed outrage over the mistreatment of 14-thousand Post Office employees. They accuse management of imposing a scandalous 40-percent salary cut while overseeing mismanagement. The federation considers the retrenchment of six-thousand workers, non-payment of backpay, and denial of medical aid access as criminal offences, requiring the attention of law enforcement agencies. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks urges the government to pass critical legislation for the Post Office’s revival and calls for fair compensation and recapitalization to ensure its stability:

# A woman charged with murder and insurance fraud has been denied bail by the Molopo Magistrate’s Court in North West. Agnes Setshwantsho was arrested in Centurion following suspicions of murdering relatives for insurance claims. A detective team linked her to a suspicious death in Mmabatho through a meticulous investigation, involving the exhumation of bodies. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Henry Mamothame says the possibility of adding more charges cannot be ruled out as investigations are continuing:

# Rugby: Springbok Sevens head coach Sandile Ngcobo has inaugurated the Cheetahs’ David Brits and Western Province’s Tristan Leyds into the Blitzbok team for the word series tournament in Perth, Australia. The squad, captained by Selvyn Davids, departs for Australia tomorrow. Ngcobo also announces the return of prop James Murphy and playmakers Donovan Don and Ricardo Duarttee. Impi Visser, Justin Geduld, Dewald Human and Rosko Specman are rested and will rejoin the team for next month’s Vancouver and Los Angeles trips.

Stay tuned for more news………….