News 17:00

BULLETIN 17 August 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala declines to answer questions on an Impala delivery to Shadrack Sibiya
# The Reserve Bank probes over four-billion-rand in transfers for the DA’s Federal finance chairperson
# And: Iran bars two French embassy employees from returning

# Businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has declined to answer questions about an alleged impala delivery to suspended national deputy police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya. Testifying at the Madlanga Commission, Matlala said the recording containing the discussion is reportedly under investigation. He said he could not establish whether the impala issue specifically formed part of that investigation. Matlala said he was unwilling to speculate while facing potential self-incrimination concerns:

# The South African Reserve Bank is investigating Kastelo, a fintech founded and chaired by DA federal finance chairperson Mark Burke, over alleged exchange-control violations involving about four-billion-rand in transfers offshore. An affidavit alleges Kastelo may have used clients’ foreign-exchange allowances for its own benefit and misrepresented its activities to authorities. The company has defended its business model, saying it enables clients to benefit from differences in cryptocurrency prices between domestic and international markets.

# The City of Johannesburg says the Johannesburg International Transport Interchange is expected to start operating before the end of 2026. City spokesperson Virgil James says the tender for a managing service provider was concluded, and a 60-day public participation process is required under the Municipal Finance Management Act. He says the facility will have 169 trading stalls and is expected to create jobs and boost regional transport and economic activity:

# Iran announced two French embassy employees involved in a diplomatic dispute last ​month would not be allowed to return ‌to the country. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei says the two had violated the Vienna Convention, which defines the rules ​and privileges of diplomatic missions, by engaging in activities ​supporting Iranian civil society. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said last month the mission of the ​two employees was ⁠to develop programmes supporting Iranian civil society, students, and artists.

# Cricket: Calls are increasing for the axing of ageing batters following Australia’s humiliating nine-wicket loss to Bangladesh in the first Test in Darwin. The visitors claimed their first ever victory on Australian soil, and just their second Test victory over the world’s top-ranked side. Pressure is building over players such as Marnus Labuschagne and Jake Weatherald, who averaged under 27 since the start of the Ashes series against England late last year. Former captain Ricky Ponting says it was time for tough decisions.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-21-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-79-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-98-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-445-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-383-dollars-6-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-99-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….