News 15:00

BULLETIN 28 August 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Diesel prices are set to jump by nearly three-rand a litre a litre next week
# Minister Cachalia says murder and violent crime declined between April and June
# And rugby: Pollard will miss the second Test against the All Blacks and Kolbe is back

# Fuel price shocks await South African motorists next week. Central Energy Fund data shows 95-octane petrol’s price could increase by more than one-rand a litre, while 93-octane petrol’s price may rise by 93-cents. Diesel prices are expected to increase by almost three-rand a litre, while the price of illuminating paraffin could go up by two-rand-16-cents a litre. Gauteng’s diesel price could rise above 30-rand a litre again. The increases are mainly linked to higher international oil prices and global diesel shortages.

# Acting minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, announced a decline in several serious crimes between April and June, including murder, carjacking, residential and business robberies, and cash-in-transit heists. He however told the media crimes affecting women, children and other vulnerable groups remain a concern. Cachalia also identified alcohol as a major driver of violent crime, particularly murders and serious assaults:

# Taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni has revealed that taxi violence has decreased under his leadership from 2020 to date. He told the Madlanga commission there are now fewer incidents of violence within the industry. Sibanyoni attributed the improvement partly to increased police capacity and efforts to promote peace at officials’ meetings. He says the message being communicated across the industry is no more gun violence:

# Water and Sanitation deputy minister David Mahlobo says South Africa will not run out of water by 2030, despite localised shortages. Speaking at a ministerial session on water security, he said the country has about 95-percent water supply assurance, but needs major investment in infrastructure. Mahlobo says the Polihali Dam is expected to begin delivering additional water to South Africa from 2028, supporting Gauteng’s water security:

# Rugby: The Springboks confirmed experienced flyhalf Handré Pollard will miss tomorrow’s second Test against the All Blacks with a calf injury. He is replaced in the number ten jersey by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, while Manie Libbok will provide cover on the bench. Coach Rassie Erasmus also announced prolific try-scorer Cheslin Kolbe had been added to the starting team after initially being ruled out with a foot problem. He replaces Kurt-Lee Arendse and will probably again be given the kicking duties.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-99-cents and the euro at 18-rand-61-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 79-thousand-719-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-599-dollars-23-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-58-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….