News 16:00

BULLETIN 10 October 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The controversial businessman Katiso “KT” Molefe is granted 400-thousand-rand’s bail
# Masemola warns South Africa lacks real protection for whistleblowers
# And rugby: The Bulls and the Stormers top the URC table before the third round

# The High Court in Johannesburg has granted Katiso “KT” Molefe 400-thousand-rand bail, overturning the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court’s earlier decision. Molefe faces charges linked to the murders of DJ Sumbody, and alleged ties to a criminal cartel known as “The Big Five,” involved in tender fraud. Judge Brad Wanless ordered Molefe to report to Morningside police station three times a week, saying he is only allowed to travel to Welkom with permission for business purposes:

# National police commissioner Fannie Masemola says there is currently no effective mechanism to protect whistleblowers in South Africa. Testifying before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating police corruption, Masemola addressed questions about whistleblower Babita Deokaran, who was killed in 2021 after exposing irregularities at Tembisa Hospital in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. He said he only learned of Deokaran’s whistleblower status after her death and does not believe he failed her:

# The Financial Sector Conduct Authority says South Africa has about 89-billion-rand in unclaimed benefits. Standard Bank has announced it reimbursed 100-million-rand to thousands of South Africans in the past year, many unaware they were owed funds. Partnering with tracing firm Reunyte, the bank’s app-based system helps customers claim benefits easily, mostly unpaid pensions. Head of Digital and E-commerce Belinda Rathogwa says the milestone restores trust and provides life-changing relief to beneficiaries.

# Rugby: Two South African teams, the Bulls and the Stormers, top the United Rugby Championship before the start of the third round. Both teams won their first two matches, but the Bulls are first thanks to two bonus point victories to the Stormers’ one. The Stormers play Scarletts in Llanelli, Wales, this evening, while the Bulls will take on Ulster in Ireland tomorrow night. The Sharks play defending champion Leinster, also in Ireland, tomorrow while the Lions are in Italy for a match against Benetton.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-19-cents and the euro at 19-rand-90-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-83-cents and Bitcoin trades at 121-thousand-636-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-985-dollars-63-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-2-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Former Foreign Affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has hailed the late South African ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, for his legacy of ubuntu. She was speaking at a memorial service hosted by the International Relations and Cooperation Department. Dlamini-Zuma said Mthethwa’s race was short, but impactful. She praised his intellect, humility, and service, adding that he will be remembered amongst ANC heroes who shaped South Africa’s democratic journey:

Stay tuned for more news………….