News 16:00

BULLETIN 6 July 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Home Affairs boosts its immigration enforcement capacity
# FOSA calls for an extension of the Madlanga commission
# And cricket: England Women’s captain Sciver-Brunt dismisses retirement rumours

# The Department of Home Affairs will recruit 301 additional immigration officers to strengthen enforcement across South Africa. The move will increase the current workforce from 868 to one-thousand-169, boosting capacity by about 35-percent. Minister Leon Schreiber says the recruitment forms part of wider reforms to build a secure, digital immigration system supported by new technology and improved frontline services. He says the goal is to strengthen border control, uphold the rule of law and protect the integrity of the immigration system.

# A Madlanga commission evidence leader, Adila Hassim, says senior Crime Intelligence officer Feroz Khan showed a willingness to activate a countermeasure against Daily Maverick journalist Marianne Thamm, raising concerns about possible intimidation. She says this conduct warrants investigation, including whether any steps were taken after a reported break-in at Thamm’s home to distance Crime Intelligence or prevent state-linked involvement. Hassim warns using intelligence resources against journalists undermines media freedom and accountability:

Forum for South Africa is meanwhile calling for the Madlanga commission to continue for another two to three years, as it uncovers corruption, abuse of power and looting of public funds. FOSA’s Tebogo Mashilompane calls for those implicated to be held accountable, regardless of position. He has also praises Kwazulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, saying his revelations helped trigger the commission, which should be fully supported and funded:

# Cricket: England’s Women’s captain, Nat Sciver-Brunt, says she’s not considering retirement and is determined to continue competing in major tournaments. Australia defeated England by seven wickets to win the T20 World Cup for a record seventh time at Lord’s yesterday. Thirty-three-year-old Sciver-Brunt, who played through a calf injury during the tournament, says the loss is a hard one to take, but she is extremely proud of their performance:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-22-cents and the euro at 18-rand-52-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-66-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-70-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-143-dollars-22-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-73-cents a barrel.

# And finally: South Africans are being urged to plan their estates carefully to reduce the financial impact of death. As South Africa marks National Savings Month, financial planner Rothea van Biljon says when a person dies, the South African Revenue Service treats assets as sold at market value, potentially triggering capital gains tax. She says estate duty and executor’s fees further reduce inheritances. Van Biljon adds poor planning leaves families facing frozen assets and unexpected costs, and recommends early estate planning to improve liquidity and safeguard wealth for future generations.

Stay tuned for more news………….