News 15:00

BULLETIN 7 July 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# ActionSA warns against victimising honest police leaders
# Agri experts hail this year’s wine harvest as exports surge
# And cricket: Wiaan Mulder makes history in the second Test against Zimbabwe

# ActionSA has reaffirmed its support for KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi following his claims of political interference in police investigations. The party says Mkhwanazi has a strong record and should not be victimised for speaking out against senior political figures. ActionSA’s Michael Beaumont warns against silencing honest police leaders targeted for doing their jobs, as this threatens the integrity of the criminal justice system:

Meanwhile, the Pietermaritzburg High Court in KwaZulu-Natal has sentenced Sibusiso Ncengwa to 25-years imprisonment for the 2017 murder of former ANC Youth League secretary-general, Sindiso Magaqa. The 37-year-old admitted to the murder and attempted murder of three others, implicating late uMzimkhulu mayor Mluleki Ndobe as the mastermind. Two co-accused await trial, while a fourth is in psychiatric care. The NPA’s Natasha Ramkisson-Kara welcomed the sentence, calling it justice for political killings:

# Agricultural experts have praised South Africa’s 2025 wine harvest as one of the best in decades, with volumes up eleven-percent to 1.2-million tons. Industry organisation South African Wine says exports are boosted by ideal weather and a shift to premium wines, and now reach over 120 markets, up from 60 in 2019. Exporters are targeting Asia but China’s 14-percent tariff remains a hurdle. Agriculture economist, Wandile Sihlobo, says the 2025 harvest signals agricultural recovery, urging broader market access, continued investment and climate-smart farming.

# Cricket: Stand-in captain Wiaan Mulder surpassed the best Test score for a South African on the second morning of the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. He bettered Hashim Amla’s record of an undefeated 311 against England at The Oval in 2012, reaching the milestone off just 297 balls. They are the only Proteas batters to score a triple century. Mulder also became the first cricketer to score a triple hundred in his debut as Test captain. He declared on 626 for five after lunch, being undefeated at 367.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-74-cents and the euro at 20-rand-81-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-14-cents and Bitcoin trades at 108-thousand-648-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-303-dollars-56-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-23-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Cape of Good Hope SPCA says it is intensifying ongoing efforts to save vulnerable animals from severe weather conditions. The organisation has found many pets were chained, soaked and freezing following the wet winter weather, including storms and floods. SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham says the organisation’s first responders, working with city emergency teams, are saving animals daily. She has called on pet owners to help keep animals safe, and asked the local community to donate blankets, towels, and pet food.

Stay tuned for more news………….