News 16:00

BULLETIN 18 August 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Reiger Park murder case is postponed for a bail application
# Golf: A two-time US Open champion confirms his participation in the Nedbank Challenge
# And the Vaal community is on high alert as a crocodile capture plan rolls out

# The Boksburg Magistrate’s Court in Gauteng postponed the Reiger Park murder case to next Tuesday for a formal bail application. The second accused, 24-year-old Jamal Meyer, made his first appearance, joining co-accused Regan Collins. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole says they face charges including four counts of murder linked to earlier this month’s shooting that claimed four lives, including two Anti-Gang Unit officials:

# Parliament’s portfolio committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources says South Africa needs a regulatory framework that protects the environment and the rights of affected communities, while providing investors with sufficient certainty to undertake responsible exploration. The Constitutional Court has blocked Shell and Impact Africa’s offshore exploration activities along the Wild Coast. The committee is concerned about the broader implications of prolonged legal uncertainty and repeated delays for investment, exploration and economic development in the offshore petroleum sector.

# The DA says the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development wasted more than 20.6-million-rand on 211 events between 2022 and 2026, while farmers continue to struggle for support. The DA’s Bronwynn Engelbrecht says the spending was revealed in response to questions in the provincial legislature. She says the department should prioritise agricultural infrastructure, veterinary services, production inputs, and market access instead of costly events:

# Golf: Two-time US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau confirmed his participation in this year’s Nedbank Challenge, being played at the Gary Player country club at Sun City in North West in early December. He also won this year’s LIV Golf tournament at Steyn City in Johannesburg. The South African icon who won nine major titles in his playing days, Gary Player, is the host of the challenge. He says he’s delighted that the American will compete this year because of his passion, power and commitment to the game.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-20-cents and the euro at 18-rand-75-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-92-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-274-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-399-dollars-18-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 92-dollars-88-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A three-meter crocodile has been spotted in the Vaal River, prompting authorities to discourage swimming and water activities until it is captured. The Water Policing team’s Charles van der Merwe says a set capture cage is in place. The crocodile, likely a West African slender-snouted species, is not aggressive but poses a safety concern. He says residents should report sightings to Vanderbijlpark police or Vaal River Rats. A 20-thousand-rand voucher reward is offered for information leading to the reptile’s safe capture.

Stay tuned for more news………….