News 14:00

BULLETIN 12 December 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The High Court rejects the NPA’s bid to appeal Omotoso’s acquittal
# ACSA achieves ten of eleven key performance targets for the 2024-25 financial year
# And soccer: A fan group urges FIFA to halt ‘extortionate’ World Cup ticket prices

# The High Court in Gqeberha has dismissed the National Prosecuting Authority’s bid to appeal the acquittal of Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho. The NPA sought clarification on six legal questions, including how the trial court handled evidence and factual findings. Judge Irma Schoeman who presided over the trial, ruled in April the state failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. The trio were acquitted of various charges including rape, human trafficking and racketeering. Omotoso has left South Africa since.

# Airports Company South Africa has met ten of its eleven key performance indicators for 2024–25. CEO Mpumi Mpofu says financial sustainability remains strong, with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation reaching 2.8-billion-rand against 2.6-billion-rand target. Aeronautical revenue missed its goal due to international disruptions. Mpofu reported the creation of nearly 24-thousand jobs, improved passenger satisfaction, and maintained strong transformation and environmental performance:

# Williston in the Bushmanland region of the Northern Cape remains drought-stricken while heavy rains have fallen across parts of South Africa. AfriForum and Saai have purchased 12 tons of feed to assist farmers. AfriForum’s Tarien Cook urges government intervention and public support, warning without emergency aid, farms, communities, schools, and incomes face a severe socio-economic crisis:

# Soccer: A European supporters group has called on FIFA to immediately halt ticket sales for next year’s World Cup, accusing the association of imposing extortionate ticket prices. It says if a supporter follows their team from the first match to the final through a participating member association’s allocation, it would cost them nearly five times as much as during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The FSA says FIFA must review ticket prices and find a solution that respects the cultural significance of the tournament.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-86-cents and the euro at 19-rand-78-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-55-cents and Bitcoin trades at 92-thousand-466-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-321-dollars-42-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-96-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company is preparing for one of its busiest festive seasons as local and international visitors flock to Cape Town. Tourism figures released last month show high demand for operators across the city. The company’s Wahida Parker urges visitors to follow the company’s tips on their website for a smooth, memorable experience amid busy roads and crowded sites.

Stay tuned for more news………….