Breakfast Edition: 17 February 2016
WATCH & LISTEN: Here is a recap of this morning's top news stories.
OPPOSITION LASH OUT AT THE PRESIDENT: The ANC on Tuesday said opposition parties had dragged the level of debate on President Jacob Zuma's state of the nation address down to a shameful level after several party leaders used it to call for the president's resignation. "Instead of reflecting substantively on the president's important progress report and crucial government priorities for this financial year, some of the parties have indulged in empty electioneering rhetoric, personal attacks, name-calling, and abusive un-parliamentary language," ruling party spokesman Zizi Kodwa said. The two-day debate on the president's opening address to Parliament was intended as an opportunity to reflect on matters of national importance, Kodwa added.
LATEST FROM LILY MINE: It has been 12 days since the Lily mine disaster and there is still no word on the wellbeing of the three workers that are trapped underground. Yesterday the chairman of the parliamentary portfolio committee of mineral resources, Sahlulele Luzipo was asked about declaring the disaster a national emergency in order for more resources to be freed up to assist in the search and rescue operation. Luzipo explained: "We have to be allowed to finish our report first, before assumptions are made." The mine collapsed on February 5th leaving the three workers, who worked in the lamp room, unaccounted for.
BRIDGE COLLAPSE INQUIRY: Companies participating in the construction of the collapsed Grayston Drive pedestrian bridge have raised questions over possible missing bolts on the scaffolding of the collapsed bridge. A Labour Department inquiry is
probing the responsibilities of the companies involved in the project.
CHAOS AT UCT: A stand-off between police and protesting students continued late on Tuesday night at the University of Cape Town (UCT) despite stun grenades being fired and private security being brought in. At least two students were arrested and removed from Residence Road at UCT's Upper Campus. The chaos ensued when protestors defied a request by the university management to vacate the road, the location of "Shackville" - a means of protest by the Road Must Fall (RMF) student movement. The students erected a shack to protest what they called the institution's discrimination against black students in placing them in accommodation.
PRIVATE HEALT ION THE SPOTLIGHT: The cost of private health care in the country comes under the spotlight today when the Competition Commission's inquiry into the sector gets underway. Jacaranda FM news reporter, Silindelo Masikane reports.
