News 15:00

BULLETIN 23 January 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A social worker recommends a suspended sentence for Malema
# The Constitutional Court upholds Cholota’s extradition as unlawful
# And cricket: Cooley returns as England’s bowling coach after more than 20 years

# Social worker Jessie Thomson has recommended a suspended sentence rather than imprisonment for EFF leader Julius Malema during his pre-sentencing hearing at the East London Magistrate’s Court. Presenting evidence in-camera, Thompson highlighted his charitable contributions, including support for the elderly. Malema was found guilty of firing a firearm at the EFF’s fifth anniversary celebrations in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape in 2018. If he is sentenced to more than 12-months imprisonment without the option of a fine, he stands to lose his parliamentary seat.

# The Constitutional Court has upheld the Free State High Court’s ruling former premier Ace Magashule’s personal assistant, Moroadi Cholota’s extradition was unlawful. She was extradited from the US in 2024 after refusing to turn state witness. Cholota and others face corruption and money laundering charges in the 255-million-rand asbestos case linked to Magashule. Deputy chief justice Dunstan Mlambo clarified not all extradition irregularities should bar courts from exercising criminal jurisdiction:

# Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says acting Police minister Firoz Cachalia can no longer delay granting more policing powers to the metropolice. Cachalia earlier admitted police are not equipped to defeat gang violence and extortion in the Western and the Eastern Cape. Hill-Lewis says metropolice can help police in investigating gun, gang and drug crimes:

# The Green Connection calls on energy regulator Nersa to reject further Eskom electricity tariff increases under the sixth multi-year price determination. The organisation’s Lisa Makaula warns higher prices will worsen poverty, deepen inequality, and harm vulnerable communities. She says South Africa’s electricity pricing system is broken and lacks transparency. Makaula urges NERSA to prioritise the public interest and support a just transition to cheaper renewable energy:

# Cricket: Former Tasmanian international Troy Cooley had been re-appointed England’s bowling coach. He helped the team to regain the Ashes in 2005 before returning to his native Australia where he worked for Cricket Australia’s national performance programme before becoming involved in the same role in India. ESPNCricInfo reports 60-year-old Cooley will be responsible for the development and coaching of England’s fast bowlers, from the Lions and the Young Lions to the senior teams. The country had been without a dedicated pace-bowling coach for the past four years.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-15-cents and the euro at 18-rand-95-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-84-cents and Bitcoin trades at 89-thousand-144-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-921-dollars-18-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-41-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….