News 15:00

BULLETIN 14 October 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Matlala abandons his bail bid in a property fraud case
# BOSA delivers 20-thousand signatures for access to the sex offenders’ register
# And cricket: The Proteas coach is mulling changes for the second Test as Rabada is in contention to return

# Controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has withdrawn his bail application in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court. He faces fraud, forgery and uttering charges over an allegedly fraudulent lease for a luxury property in Waterkloof Heights, costing 95-thousand-rand a month. The state alleges Matlala, his wife Tsakane and two others falsified documents to secure the lease. His lawyer says they may apply for bail again after proceedings in the High Court in Johannesburg, where Matlala and his co-accused face attempted murder charges.

# Build One South Africa marched to the Department of Justice in Tshwane this morning to demand the National Register for Sex Offenders be made publicly accessible. Spokesperson Nobuntu Webster says they handed over a petition signed by almost 20-thousand people. She says the register has thousands of convicted offenders, but public access requires 150-rand and a six-week wait. Webster says 93-percent of adults working in schools have not been cleared against the register:

Moving abroad:

# Turkish police have raided the offices of opposition broadcaster Halk TV in Istanbul, stopping its live broadcasts. The station says hundreds of members entered the building early today. Staff were prevented from entering, and recorded programmes replaced live coverage.  A government-appointed manager has taken control of the channel. Prosecutors say the operation is linked to an investigation into alleged bribery, fraud in public contracts and money laundering involving the station’s owner. The allegations have not been proven in court.

# Cricket: Proteas coach Shukri Conrad says now is not the time for knee-jerk reactions following their 214-run defeat to Australia in the first Test in Durban. While stressing there are no excuses, he highlights the impact of recent injuries, particularly the absence of fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and soft dismissals. Rabada should return for the second Test in Gqeberha, likely replacing fellow pacer Anrich Nortjé. Conrad says he will make some changes:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-47-cents and the euro at 18-rand-43-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-85-cents and Bitcoin trades at 83-thousand-375-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-142-dollars-38-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 108-dollars-44-cents a barrel.

# And finally: FNB has recorded a 47-percent increase in virtual card transaction values over the past financial year, reflecting growing customer adoption of secure digital payment solutions. It says the growth highlights changing payment habits across its digital ecosystem, which serves over 19-million regular platform users and over 12-million banking customers. Virtual cards are increasingly being used for online shopping, in-store payments, travel bookings and subscription services. FNB says the continued uptake of digital payment solutions reflects growing demand for safer and more convenient ways to transact.

Stay tuned for more news………….