News 16:00

BULLETIN 24 July 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The state closes its case in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial
# Citrus rail volumes surge as South Africa hits an export peak
# And cricket: Young batters Pretorius and Brevis are included in the Proteas’ ODI squad for the upcoming Australian tour

# The state has concluded its case in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial in the High Court in Pretoria – nearly eleven-years after the Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates captain and goalkeeper was shot at his girlfriend singer Kelly Khumalo’s home in Vosloorus, Gauteng. After three years of presenting evidence against the five accused, the prosecution has wrapped up its case. The trial resumed under Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng in July 2023 after he took over from Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela. The defence will now present its case and call witnesses.

# Transnet Port Terminals reports a 16-percent increase in citrus containers moved by rail. Durban has received 980 refrigeration units since April, surpassing 2024’s full-season total. Citrus exports are up 18-percent year-on-year, with the European Union and Middle East leading demand. Transnet Port Terminals’ management says it expects to meet the national forecast of 106-thousand-500 containers. In addition, new equipment across ports has improved efficiency, backed by a 3.4-billion-rand investment.

# Former South African ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool, has termed the move by the US to consider a sanctions bill targeting South African political leaders as a bullying tactic. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Rasool warned that the bill, already approved by the House Foreign Affairs Committee, will impact South Africa negatively. He says urgent diplomatic efforts are needed to block the sanctions ahead of a crucial Senate vote expected in September:

# Everyone on board a Russian Antonov An-24 passenger plane carrying 49 people are feared to have been killed when it crashed in the far east of the country today. Reuters reports the plane was made in the Soviet era. The burning fuselage was spotted on the ground by a helicopter crew, and rescue teams are rushing to the scene. Forty-three passengers, including five children, and six crew members were on board. The wreckage was found on a hill 15 kilometres from its destination at Tynda.

# Cricket: Big hitters Lhuan-dré Pretorius and Dewald Brevis have been called up to South Africa’s one-day squad for next month’s tour of Australia. They will play T20s on 10, 12 and 16 August followed by an ODI series on 19, 22 and 24 August. Proteas coach Shukri Conrad says this series is important preparation for next year’s T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India, and the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Spinner Prenelan Subrayen has also been included in both squads.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-59-cents and the euro at 20-rand-68-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-83-cents and Bitcoin trades at 118-thousand-486-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-362-dollars-89-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-41-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….