News 15:00

BULLETIN 28 May 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Road Accident Fund CEOs Collins Letsoalo is placed on special leave amid a SIU investigation
# The Public Protector probes 119-million-rand tenders linked to Tshwane’s deputy mayor
# And rugby: England’s second most capped men’s player, Dan Cole, will retire

# The Road Accident Fund’s CEO, Collins Letsoalo, has been placed on special leave with immediate effect. He is accused of being involved in a controversial 79-million-rand lease deal for RAF offices in Johannesburg. The RAF board says the move is a precautionary step and not a sign of wrongdoing while the Special Investigating Unit conducts the investigation. Transport Department spokesperson Collen Msibi says Phathutshedzo Lukhwareni will take over as acting CEO.

# The Public Protector has launched an investigation into multimillion-rand tenders awarded to a company formerly owned by Tshwane’s deputy mayor and ANC regional chairperson, Eugene Modise. According to News24, the DA requested the probe, alleging Modise still benefits from Triotic Protection Services, which secured contracts worth 119-million-rand from ANC-led municipalities. Modise denies any involvement, claiming he sold his shares. The Public Protector confirmed that the probe, focusing on possible maladministration and abuse of power, is in its early stages.

# The DA says the new Mineral Resources Bill which was unveiled for public comment last week, will effectively end the already tottering case for foreign investment in South African mining. The DA’s James Lorimer says the bill allows for the rapid overturning of the principle of “once empowered, always empowered”, opening the door to the need for constant injections of new BEE investors. He says the bill is poorly thought out:

# Rugby: England and Leicester Tigers prop, Dan Cole, has announced he will retire at the end of the season. The 38-year-old, who is England’s second most-capped men’s player, has made 118 appearances for his country. His career also includes winning four Premiership titles with Leicester, his boyhood club for which he has played 340 games, and touring with the British and Irish Lions twice. Cole says after playing for the past 20 years, he feels it is the right time to retire.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-90-cents and the euro at 20-rand-28-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-15-cents and Bitcoin trades at 108-thousand-806-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-311-dollars-92-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-98-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Union federation Cosatu has praised actor Presley Chweneyagae for his impact in youth development and community upliftment through the arts. The performer died of natural causes at the age of 40 yesterday. Cosatu’s spokesperson, Nonzuzo Dlamini, hailed his legacy, from the Oscar-winning film Tsotsi, to his role as Cobra in The River. She says Chweneyagae’s work highlighted social realities and inspired many:

Stay tuned for more news………….