News 15:00

BULLETIN 27 November 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Matlala details a cash payment to Bheki Cele in a Woolworths bag
# Rugby: Reinach will play his 50th Test for South Africa against Wales on Saturday
# And matrics are urged to celebrate safely after their exams

# Tenderprenuer Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala told Parliament’s ad hoc committee at Kgoši Mampuru Prison that his sister withdrew 300-thousand-rand from Tshwane Medicare24 Holdings account at an FNB bank, to give to former Police minister Bheki Cele. Matlala alleges Cele demanded one-million-rand after helping him recover firearms following a raid. He describes walking from the bank to Cele’s residence with the money in a Woolworths bag:

# The South African Responsible Online Gambling Association says the National Treasury’s proposal for a new 20-percent national tax on online gambling is flawed. The organisation argues the government wants to tax online gambling even though there is still no proper law governing it. The association’s director, Wayne Lurie, warns the proposal risks legitimising illegal online gambling by taxing an activity that is still unlawful, while offering no guarantee that the new revenue will support harm-reduction efforts.

Meanwhile, Treasury has launched its first infrastructure and development finance bond under the domestic borrowing programme. The bond aims to raise at least 15-billion-rand for energy, water, transport, and social infrastructure. Treasury says the instrument taps into investor appetite for long-term projects while improving capital allocation and transparency. Proceeds will flow through the Development Bank of Southern Africa’s Infrastructure Fund, supporting rigorously assessed Budget Facility for Infrastructure projects and strengthening South Africa’s growth path.

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus made several forced changes to his team for Saturday’s final tour match against Wales in Cardiff. Both teams are without many first-choice players because the match falls outside of the Test window. South Africa’s run-on team shows eight changes and a rotational switch to the one that beat Ireland last weekend, with reserve scrumhalf Cobus Reinach due to earn his 50th cap. Captain Siya Kolisi, Ruan Nortjé, Jasper Wiese, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Canan Moodie, Damian de Allende and Damian Willemse remain in the starting-team.  

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-15-cents and the euro at 19-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-68-cents and Bitcoin trades at 91-thousand-430-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-160-dollars-39-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-68-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Western Cape Education MEC, David Maynier, is urging matric learners attending formal Matric Rage events and pens-down parties to celebrate safely and responsibly. The final National Senior Certificate examinations were written yesterday. Maynier says learners attending these parties should set up a buddy system for safety, keep a close eye on their valuables at all times, and not leave their beverages unattended:

Stay tuned for more news………….