News 18:00

BULLETIN 29 June 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Petrol and diesel prices are set for a sharp drop on Wednesday
# Activist Mbuyiseni Ndlozi says unemployment, not immigration, is South Africa’s real crisis
# And, Rugby: Cheslin Kolbe and Damien Willemse will receive their 50th Test caps for South Africa on Saturday

# South African motorists are set for significant fuel price cuts in July, despite the return of the full fuel levy. Data from the Central Energy Fund shows both grades of petrol are expected to fall by around three-rand per litre and diesel by more than four-rand per litre. The rand has also remained relatively stable, helping support the price drop. However, analysts caution that future movements in oil prices and global risks could still affect fuel costs in the months ahead.  

# Political activist, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi says South Africa does not have an immigration crisis, but rather deep structural challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality. Speaking at the Thabo Mbeki Foundation’s National Democratic Revolution Seminar in Johannesburg, Ndlozi argued that economic exclusion remains the country’s central problem. He told the SABC that the post-1994 democratic order has not resolved inequality or joblessness, which continue to fuel social tensions:

# Police are investigating unusual circumstances surrounding the shooting of suspended deputy Crime Intelligence head Feroz Khan in Houghton, Johannesburg, where he was reportedly ambushed and shot in the abdomen last night. News24 reports there are conflicting details, including reports that no bullet holes were found on the vehicle he was travelling in, despite the recovery of spent cartridges and a handwritten note at the scene. The note reportedly calls for investigations into senior police officials linked to cases involving Khan.

Meanwhile, North West businessman Brown Mogotsi’s lawyer, Makau Sekgatja, says his client is not ruling out a return to the Madlanga Commission if SAPS Crime Intelligence boss Major General Feroz Khan affidavit implicates him. The testimony of Khan was expected this week, however the commission will first consult his legal representatives following an attempted assassination on him. Speaking outside the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court Sekgatja confirmed the legal team is monitoring developments:

# Rugby: Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse will play their 50th Tests for the Springboks in Saturday’s Nations Championship match against England in Johannesburg. Both made their Test debuts in August 2018. Siya Kolisi will head the team for the 72nd time. Head coach Rassie Erasmus chose the experienced Eben Etzebeth and Ruan Nortjé as the locks, and Manie Libbok and Grant Williams as the half-back pairing. He opted for a split of five forwards and three backs on the bench. Kick-off at Ellis Park is at 5.40pm.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-43-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-75-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-76-cents and Bitcoin trades at 59-thousand-353-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-26-dollars-10-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-54-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….