News 16:00

BULLETIN 10 July 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A former apartheid-era police member is sentenced to 15 years for the murder of a student activist in 1987
# The search for survivors continues after Houthis sink a second cargo ship in the Red Sea in a week
# And rugby: The Eastern Cape government calls on supporters to rally behind the Springboks

# Former apartheid-era police member Johan Marais has been sentenced to 15-years in prison for the 1987 murder of student activist Caiphus Nyoka. The 66-year-old earlier pleaded guilty in the High Court in Pretoria to gunning down Nyoka at his Daveyton home. Presiding Judge Mokhine Mosopa said the sentence must serve as both punishment and deterrent. The sentencing follows a decades-long pursuit of justice for Nyoka’s family. Marais admitted he acted under orders, but refused a plea deal to testify against his co-accused.

# The DA says the handing over of the investigation report into the naval tragedy in Kommetjie, Cape Town, to the Hawks to investigate culpable homicide charges is long overdue, but an essential first step toward justice. Lieutenant-commander Gillian Hector, master warrant-officer William Mathipa and warrant-officer Mokwapa Mojela were killed in the submarine tragedy in September 2023. The DA’s Chris Hattingh says choosing to push ahead with a high-risk vertical transfer exercise was more than reckless:

# Ten crew members have been rescued and at least three others were killed after a cargo ship was attacked by Yemen’s Houthis and sank in the Red Sea. According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency, the Eternity C was carrying 25 crew when it was hit by rocket-propelled grenades fired from small boats. The Iranian-backed Houthis said they attacked the ship because it was heading to Israel, and took an unspecified number of crew to a so-called safe location. The US embassy in Yemen have since called for their immediate release.

# Rugby: The Eastern Cape government is urging people to come out and support the Springboks in the second Test against Italy in Gqeberha on Saturday. Nelson Mandela Bay’s first Test in four years will be a homecoming for coach Rassie Erasmus and players including Makazole Mapimpi, who hails from Mdantsane. Provincial government spokesperson, Khuselwa Rantjie, says this match is a proud moment for the province, adding that the Boks are a unifying force and a symbol of national pride:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-77-cents and the euro at 20-rand-81-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-12-cents and Bitcoin trades at 110-thousand-858-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-319-dollars-73-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-22-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The City of Cape Town has welcomed the launch of two new digital visa schemes by the Department of Home Affairs, aimed at boosting the film and events sectors. The Stages visa will ease entry for international film talent, while Meets will streamline visa access for global event attendees. With 36 major bids secured for Cape Town in 2024/25, these initiatives are expected to drive investment, tourism, and job creation, strengthening Cape Town’s position as a global film and event hub

Stay tuned for more news………….