News 18:00

BULLETIN 29 May 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Paul Mashatile says government is committed to transformation, land reform, and inclusive growth
# The Tax Ombud probes eFiling cybercrime amid rising complaints
# And rugby: The Stormers pick Hartzenberg and Du Plessis in the midfield for the URC quarter-final

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says government remains committed to transformation, land reform, and inclusive economic growth. Responding to questions in the National Council of Provinces, Mashatile said laws such as the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act and the Expropriation Act must be fully implemented to benefit those who were previously disadvantaged. He warned there would be no shortcuts in changing transformative legislation passed by Parliament:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed retired Constitutional Court Judge Sisi Khampepe to lead a judicial commission of inquiry into delays in investigating and prosecuting apartheid-era crimes. The inquiry will examine whether attempts were made to interfere with, or halt investigations into cases identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The commission, which includes Judge Frans Kgomo and Advocate Andrea Gabriel, has six months to complete its work to provide justice and closure for victims and their families.

# The office of the Tax Ombud is investigating a surge in eFiling profile hijackings, where cybercriminals exploit taxpayer accounts to redirect refunds. The probe follows numerous complaints from taxpayers and industry bodies, highlighting vulnerabilities in SARS’s digital systems. Tax Ombud Yanga Mputa has initiated a systemic review, with findings to be reported to Finance minister Enoch Godongwana. Taxpayers are urged to enhance security measures and report suspicious activities promptly.

# Four police officers have appeared in the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court in North West on charges of defeating the ends of justice and aiding the escape of detainee Neo James “Tiger” Tshwaeli. The suspected illegal mining kingpin vanished after being rescued from a Stilfontein mine shaft during the Vala Umgodi operation. The accused were each granted one-thousand-rand bail. The case has been postponed to 8 July for further investigations.

# Rugby: Suleiman Hartzenberg will partner Dan du Plessis in the midfield in the absence of the suspended Damian Willemse when the Stormers battle defending champions Glasgow Warriors in a United Rugby Championship quarter-final in Scotland tomorrow night. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Stefan Ungerer will continue as the halfback pairing with Herschel Jantjies and Manie Libbok on the bench. Evan Roos resumes his place at the back of the scrum and captain Salmaan Moerat starts at lock with Ruben van Heerden. Kick-off is at 8:35pm.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-79-cents and the euro at 20-rand-21-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-1-cent and Bitcoin trades at 107-thousand-169-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-315-dollars-11-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-16-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….