News 14:00

BULLETIN 22 July 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A bail application is abandoned in a UK triple murder accused’s case
# Rugby: The Italian prop Marco Riccioni has received a two-match ban
# And a real-time Home Affairs link strengthens SASSA’s grant system

# A British father accused of murdering his wife and two daughters in the United Kingdom has abandoned his bail application in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court. The state says Ndodana Tshuma is an illegal fugitive after allegedly fleeing the UK before the bodies of his family were discovered. He also faces a charge of possessing an unlicensed firearm in South Africa. Tshuma’s lawyer says they will not seek bail at this stage, with the case postponed to Monday for further proceedings.

# The Soil of Africa Civic Movement has welcomed three Chapter 9 Institutions’ investigation into the criminal justice system’s response to gender-based violence and femicide. It seeks to identify systemic weaknesses in reporting, investigation and victim support processes, while developing recommendations to strengthen accountability and access to justice. Spokesperson Luzuko Sofute says this represents a significant constitutional intervention at a time when South Africa continues to experience alarmingly high levels of GBVF:

# The GOOD Party has asked the Public Protector for an investigation into the City of Cape Town’s handling of the proposed sale of the Good Hope Centre. The party alleges procedural irregularities, including the public disclosure of confidential bid information by mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis before bidders were formally notified. GOOD secretary-general Brett Herron says the site should be developed for public benefit rather than sold to a private buyer:

# Rugby: Italian prop Marco Riccioni has been banned for two club matches after receiving a red card in the 57-10 Nations Championship loss to Australia in Perth. He was on the sidelines when he got involved in a skirmish during the second half. The tournament’s foul play review committee says Riccioni’s actions could have merited a four-week suspension, but it was reduced to two because of his admission of guilt and previous disciplinary record. He will miss two matches for Perpignan in France’s Top 14 league next month.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-46-cents and the euro at 18-rand-77-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-1-cent and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-914-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-119-dollars-54-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-32-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Department of Social Development has strengthened the Social Security Agency’s fraud prevention measures through a real-time partnership with the Department of Home Affairs. The enhanced biometric verification system detects identity fraud and duplicate grant claims. Government is introducing electronic life certification, allowing beneficiaries to verify their eligibility digitally. Social Development minister Dina Pule says SASSA is expanding its online platforms, WhatsApp services and mobile application to improve access, reduce office visits, and strengthen the administration of social grants.

Stay tuned for more news………….