News 17:00

BULLETIN 22 March 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The investigation into Steinhoff will continue despite Markus Jooste’s death
# The Black Lawyers Association criticises Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng over his comments about black lawyers
# And cricket: CSK starts the defence of its IPL title with a new captain

# The Financial Sector Conduct Authority says investigations continue into potential violations by others involved in the Steinhoff International Holdings saga. The authority confirmed yesterday’s suicide of former CEO Markus Jooste won’t affect their ongoing investigation. They assert the 475-million-rand penalty imposed on Jooste before his death remains unchanged and may be recovered from his estate. Investigations have uncovered misleading financial statements by Jooste and chief financial official Dirk Schreiber, prompting scrutiny of other individuals under the Financial Markets Act.

# The Black Lawyers Association intends to discuss Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng’s comments on black lawyers. This was prompted by criticism of defense attorney Thulani Mngomezulu’s absence from court in the Senzo Meyiwa murder case in the High Court in Pretoria. The judge has since apologised for his comments. Association president Nkosana Mvundlela expressed concern over the judge’s remarks, emphasising that ethics are universal regardless of race:

# A Multi-Party Political Intervention Committee has been launched in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal. Inkatha Freedom Party chairperson Thami Ntuli says the committee will formulate ways to curb political intolerance and maintain peaceful engagements amongst political parties in the province ahead of the general elections. He says political parties including the ANC, IFP, DA, EFF, MK Party, Abantu Batho Congress, Action SA and National People’s Front are in attendance:

# Cricket: Chennai Super Kings start the defense of their Indian Premier League title with a new captain after veteran Indian player MS Dhoni handed the leadership to his compatriot Ruturaj Gaikwad. Dhoni was CSK’s captain since 2008, except for a brief period in 2022 when Ravindra Jadeja took over for eight matches. CSK and Mumbai Indians share the record of five IPL titles. CSK is hosting Faf du Plessis’s Royal Challengers Bangalore in today’s opening match of this year’s competition.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-96-cents and the euro at 20-rand-52-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-92-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-802-dollars-96-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-174-dollars-16-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-90-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A major study in The Lancet predicts that almost every country’s population will shrink by the century’s end, driven by baby booms in developing nations and declines in richer ones. By 2050, three-quarters of countries will see shrinking populations, rising to 97-percent by 2100. Only a few countries are expected to maintain fertility rates above replacement levels. The study’s projections highlight significant social and economic implications, though caution is advised due to data limitations and uncertainties.

Stay tuned for more news………….