News 16:00

BULLETIN 26 November 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Matlala clarifies the hospital lease amid SAPS tender allegations
# Four people die as fire engulfs high-rise apartment buildings in Hong Kong
# And rugby: The Bulls unveil a strong 39-man squad for the upcoming European Champions Cup

# Controversial businessman Vusimusi ‘Cat’ Matlala has confirmed he approached the Department of Public Works to lease the Police Training College Healthcare Centre in Tshwane and surrounding grounds. He is testifying before Parliament’s ad hoc committee in the Kgosi Mampuru prison in the city. Matlala denied leasing the premises in anticipation of a tender, stating his interest began in 2021. He says the failed lease occupation of the hospital was due to the refusal by police members who had occupied it:

Meanwhile, the suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi has requested a postponement of his appearance before the Madlanga commission tomorrow. Mkhwanazi faces allegations of misconduct, accessory to a Brakpan murder, running a rogue unit involved in extortion, kidnapping, and irregular promotional hires. He is also accused of signing agreements supplying EMPD blue-light resources to Matlala. Chief evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson says the next witness will appear Friday:

# The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development has welcomed the release of the 2023/24 and 2024/25 Annual Judiciary Reports by Chief Justice Mandisa Maya. The reports show that South Africa’s courts are struggling to keep up with their case load, and most are failing to finalise matters timeously. The ministry’s spokesperson, Terrence Manase, says the comprehensive and detailed reports will contribute to the ongoing engagement between the executive and the judiciary:

Moving abroad:

# Four people have died when a massive fire engulfed multiple high-rise towers of a residential complex in Hong Kong’s northern Tai Po district earlier today. Thick grey smoke billowed out as emergency services battled to subdue the blaze. Police say several people remain trapped inside the burning towers. Two people were in critical condition having suffered severe burns. Some fire services staff have also been injured while trying to put out the flames that ripped through the 31-storey towers.

# Rugby: The Bulls have unveiled a strong 39-man squad for this year’s European Champions Cup. The Pretoria-based franchise kicks off its campaign next Saturday when they host French Top 14 outfit Bordeaux Bègles at Loftus Versfeld. There are 18 Springboks in the squad, including 31-year-old flyhalf Handré Pollard, who rejoined the Bulls in July after successful spells with Montpellier in France and Leicester Tigers in the UK. He was also part of the Springboks’ squad during the recent Nations Series.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-13-cents and the euro at 19-rand-84-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-53-cents and Bitcoin trades at 86-thousand-462-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-169-dollars-19-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 61-dollars-64-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….