News 14:00

BULLETIN 19 August 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A prosecutor admits to the pressure as the NPA prepares to withdraw the case against Crime Intelligence officials
# An energy analyst says government and Eskom are to blame for the high electricity costs
# And tennis: Venus Williams and Gael Monfils are among the latest US Open wildcard recipients

# A prosecutor in the fraud and corruption case involving senior Crime Intelligence officials says she has been under immense pressure to withdraw the matter. According to EWN, advocate Joy Hlatshwayo reportedly told a defence lawyer she wanted to get the matter out of the way. The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed it will permanently withdraw charges against Brigadier Dineo Mokwele, Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo and others on Friday. The decision follows representations and evidence heard at the Madlanga commission questioning the case.

National Coloured Congress leader and Member of Parliament Fadiel Adams has meanwhile told the Madlanga commission he genuinely forgot correspondence sent to him. He apologised, saying his demanding schedule as a political party leader contributed to the oversight. Adams described working long hours addressing problems across the Cape Flats. He says email was not his strongest point and insisted to chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga he was not lying to the commission:

# Independent energy analyst Tshepo Kgadima says government and Eskom must share the blame for South Africa’s high electricity prices. Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopato, has announced changes to the Electricity Pricing Policy, which seeks to address affordability and ensure consumers are not unfairly burdened by costs arising from inefficiencies, municipal debt and non-payment. Kgadima told The Citizen independent power producers need to be allowed to contribute power to the grid, and municipalities should not be responsible for supplying or charging for electricity.

# Western Cape premier Alan Winde and Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC Anroux Marais have formally launched the Lawyers in Police Stations project. The partnership with police and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime will see lawyers deployed to police stations to help officials improve statements, evidence and docket preparation while police still control investigations. Winde’s spokesperson, Regan Thaw, says effective law enforcement begins at police-station level:

# Tennis: Former US Open singles champions Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens have received wild cards into the women’s singles draw. They join five other players, including fellow Americans Carol Young Suh Lee, Reese Brantmeier and Thea Frodin. The US Tennis Association has held back one further wild card place, potentially for six-time champion Serena Williams. Frenchman Gael Monfils and Australian Alexei Popyrin headline the recipients of the men’s singles main draw wild cards. The tournament begins on the 30th.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-24-cents and the euro at 18-rand-85-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-2-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-335-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-368-dollars-11-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 93-dollars-53-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….