News 14:00

BULLETIN 11 July 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Twelve Special Forces members are granted bail in the murder of a Hawks investigator
# Rugby: James O’Connor gets a stunning recall to the Wallabies’ squad
# And Ed Sheeran swaps the recording booth for the artist’s studio

# The Randburg Magistrate’s Court in Gauteng has granted 12 South African Defence Force Special Forces members charged with the murder of Hawks investigator Frans Mathipa, ten-thousand-rand bail each. The lead detective on state crimes was gunned down on the N1 near Hammanskraal toll plaza in August 2023 while probing an abduction case. The case returns to court next week Thursday as investigations continue. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane says the bail ruling is disappointing:

# The media has been barred from broadcasting live and may only record audio in the case of controversial tenderpreneur Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court in Gauteng. Matlala faces charges of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder over an alleged hit on ex-partner, actress and entrepreneur, Tebogo Thobejane. His name has been linked to Police minister Senzo Mchunu and former minister Bheki Cele. Matlala remains in custody and his three co-accused, including his wife, are out on bail. The case resumes on 26 August.

# The Gautrain Management Agency is shifting its strategy to align with Gauteng’s 25-year Integrated Transport Master Plan, leading to a major overhaul of its extension plans. The agency’s CEO, Tshepo Kgobe, says the focus is now on reaching underserved suburbs through light rail and direct routes. He says the proposed network expansion has grown from 150 kilometres to nearly 300 kilometres, with new nodes including Mamelodi, Springs and Alberton, and integration of private funding for long-term sustainability.

# Rugby: Flyhalf James O’Connor returns to the Wallabies for the first time since 2022 after being named in the 36-man squad for the Test series against the British and Irish Lions. The 35-year-old replaces Noah Lolesio, who has undergone neck surgery. The first Test will be at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium next weekend. O’Connor, who played for the Wallabies in their 2-1 series defeat to the Lions in 2013, says he is excited to play in this special series:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-82-cents and the euro at 20-rand-85-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-14-cents and Bitcoin trades at 118-thousand-217-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-343-dollars-52-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-43-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Original artworks and prints created by award-winning British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran are currently on display in a new exhibition at the Heni Gallery in central London until August first. Money raised from the exhibition will go to the Ed Sheeran Foundation, which aims to provide inclusive, high-quality music education to children from all backgrounds. The exhibition is called Cosmic Carpark Paintings. Sheeran says he has always been interested in painting:

Stay tuned for more news………….