News 14:00

BULLETIN 6th November 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The court dismisses the bid by Mashatile’s former bodyguards to drop the assault charges against them
# Cell C plans to list on the JSE to streamline operations and support growth
# And cricket: Pant and Deep are back in India’s Test squad for the series against South Africa

# The Randburg Magistrate’s Court in Gauteng has rejected an application by eight former bodyguards of deputy president Paul Mashatile to dismiss 12 charges against them, including assault with intend to do grievous bodily harm and property damage. The charges stem from a July 2023 incident when the members of the VIP Protection Unit were filmed assaulting two off-duty soldiers on the N1 near Fourways in Johannesburg. Their Section 174 discharge application was opposed by the National Prosecuting Authority. The case resumes in March.

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged the celebration of women’s leadership as key to empowerment, equality, and social progress. He was speaking at the International Women’s Forum Cornerstone Conference in Cape Town. Ramaphosa says the event recognises shared humanity and interdependence. He praised women for driving collaboration and empathy amid global change. Ramaphosa emphasised their work aligns with South Africa’s G20 goals of solidarity, equality, and sustainability in shaping a better world:

# South Africa’s third-largest mobile phone operator, Cell C, has announced plans to list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. It is described as a strategic move designed to streamline its balance sheet, enhance its brand presence, and support its next growth phase. As part of the listing, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cell C’s largest shareholder, Blu Label Unlimited Group, The Prepaid Company, will offer existing shares through a private placement to qualified investors. TPC intends to raise approximately 7.7-billion-rand to boost the company’s expansion plans.

# The South African Police Service has confirmed that it has received a surrender order from the Eswatini government for Siyabonga Gezani and Malusi Dave Ndimande. This is after they abandoned their extradition appeal on Monday. The brothers are wanted in South Africa for a string of cases, including the murders of musician Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane. National Police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, says they are finalising logistical arrangements to execute the order next Tuesday:

# Cricket: Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been added to India’s Test squad for their two-match series against South Africa, starting in Kolkata next Friday. The 28-year-old, who missed the West Indies series last month due to a foot fracture, has been handed the vice-captaincy. Akash Deep is also back after recovering from a back injury. Fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who was not included in the squads for the tours of Australia and England earlier this year due to fitness concerns, has been left out again. 

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-36-cents and the euro at 20-rand. One British pound costs 22-rand-73-cents and Bitcoin trades at 103-thousand-99-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and six-dollars-66-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-85-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….