News 16:00

BULLETIN 11 December 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The SIU raids properties in Gauteng and KZN over 161-million-rand Covid-19 TERS fraud
# Advocate Khanyile outlines sexual offences and grey listing as the top priorities if she is appointed as Batohi’s successor
# And rugby: Japan backs Jones as coach until the World Cup in 2027

# The Special Investigating Unit is conducting raids in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal targeting a syndicate accused of siphoning 161-million-rand in Covid-19 TERS funds. SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says 16 companies and 35 individuals are under investigation for providing false information and creating ghost employees. He confirmed that searches include homes and the headquarters of the Unemployment Insurance Fund in Pretoria, as authorities aim to seize evidence and verify the extent of the fraud:

# Advocate Xolisile Khanyile says her top priorities, if appointed Shamila Batohi’s succesor as National Director of Public Prosecutions, will include sexual offences, preventing return to the Financial Action Task Force grey list, and strengthening centres to fight organised crime. During her interview, Khanyile also emphasised the need to review the country’s national risk assessment:

# Solidarity has called for critical negotiations on an Eskom power tariff to keep South Africa’s ferrochrome industry alive. Deputy general-secretary Willie Venter says Eskom’s new agreement with Samancor Chrome in Sandton, Johannesburg, and the Glencore-Merafe Chrome Venture in Rustenburg, North West, must now include all stakeholders to secure a sustainable power tariff. He stresses that a balanced tariff could revive smelters, create jobs, and benefit downstream industries. Venter is also calling for urgent fixes at Transnet, restrictions on cheap imports, and improved trade agreements.

# The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa in the Western Cape has boosted security across stations and trains for the festive season, running from 15 December to 11 January. Full-day services will operate on Sundays and public holidays, ensuring safe, reliable travel for commuters and holidaymakers. Metrorail provincial spokesperson, Zino Mihi, says modern trains with improved security offer peace of mind:

# Rugby: Eddie Jones will coach Japan until after 2027’s World Cup. This follows a performance review after a season with mixed results, with victories over Wales and Georgia, and losses to South Africa, Wales and Ireland. The chairperson of Japan’s governing body, Kensuke Iwabuchi, says they have decided to back the 65-year-old Australian so they can move towards the World Cup in a good way. Japan will face France, Samoa and America in Pool E in the tournament in Australia.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-91-cents and the euro at 19-rand-82-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-65-cents and Bitcoin trades at 90-thousand-208-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-215-dollars-37-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 61-dollars-35-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….