News 18:00

BULLETIN 7 January 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Saftu condemns right-wing populism, vigilantism and xenophobic scapegoating in SA
# Corruption Watch flags concerns over Andy Mothibi’s appointment process
# And, a study warns artificial intelligence is escalating cyber-security threats in Africa

# Union federation Saftu says the country’s crisis of mass unemployment, poverty, inequality, deindustrialisation, collapsing public services and corruption was not caused by migrants. It says it is the result of policy failure, austerity, elite enrichment and state incapacity. Saftu’s spokesperson, Asive Dyani, says they have repeatedly relied on Statistics South Africa to rebut the false claim that foreigners are taking South Africans’ jobs:

# Corruption Watch has renewed its call for greater transparency and public participation in appointing leaders of key anti-corruption institutions. The organisation has welcomed the appointment of advocate Andy Mothibi as National Director of Public Prosecutions, noting his experience as head of the Special Investigating Unit. However, the watchdog’s Lebogang Ramafoko expressed concern that Mothibi was not subjected to the formal interview process:

The IFP also welcomes the appointment of Andy Mothibi as the new NDPP. The party’s Fanele Mhlongo says Mothibi is recognised for his integrity, independence, and experience in combating corruption and leadership at the Special Investigating Unit, and that would instill public confidence. He says the IFP applauds the Advisory Panel’s principled assessment and urges support for efforts to rebuild the NPA’s credibility and uphold justice.

# A Boston Consulting Group report warns that artificial intelligence is rapidly raising cyber-security risks across Africa. Nearly 60-percent of African companies say they experienced AI-powered cyber-attacks in the past year, yet only half prioritise AI-driven defences. The study highlights skills shortages, limited budgets and outdated tools as major weaknesses. The Group cautions that AI-enabled fraud, deepfakes and adaptive malware are accelerating threats, urging leaders to urgently strengthen AI-based cyber-security strategies.

# Cricket: The second-ranked T20-international bowler, Jacob Duffy, is set for his first senior World Cup after being included in New Zealand’s 15-man squad for the T20 global showpiece in India and Sri Lanka. The squad led by Mitch Santner also includes Adam Milne, who last played for the Black Caps in July, all-rounder James Neesham and spinner Ish Sodhi. New Zealand is in Group D alongside South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates, with their opening match against Afghanistan in Chennai on February 8.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-41-cents and the euro at 19-rand-20-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-15-cents and Bitcoin trades at 91-thousand-775-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-452-dollars-390-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-52-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….