News 16:00

BULLETIN 23 January 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A social worker recommends a suspended sentence for Julius Malema
# Improved weather allows the partial reopening of the Kruger National Park
# And soccer: Real Madrid is still the world’s richest club

# 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.

# Former Free State premier Ace Magashule’s personal assistant’s legal representative, Piet Tibane, has welcomed the Constitutional Court judgement that Moroadi Cholota’s extradition was unlawful. She was extradited from the US in 2024 after refusing to turn state witness in the multi-million rand asbestos case linked to Magashule. Tibane says she will now face a trial-within-a-trial at the High Court in Bloemfontein from Monday to address other grounds raised:

# SANParks says visitor access to parts of the Kruger National Park has been eased following improved weather conditions in Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Day and overnight visitors are now permitted at Punda Maria gate, Babalala picnic site and Punda Maria rest camp, while several other gates and camps remain open, including Letaba, Pafuri and Orpen. SANParks’ JP Louw warns visitors not to enter closed roads:

# Chinese automaker Chery has reached an agreement to take over Nissan’s manufacturing assets in Rosslyn, Pretoria. The Japanese vehicle brand will, however, continue selling its vehicles in South Africa and is not exiting the market. New product releases for this year will include the Tekton and Patrol. Nissan has been active in South Africa since 1961. Nissan Africa’s president, Jordi Vila, says the agreement will see the majority of associated Nissan employees – roughly 900 – being offered employment by Chery SA on substantially similar terms and conditions as currently.

# Soccer: Spanish giants Real Madrid is still the world’s richest club, while Liverpool has emerged as the richest in England. Deloitte’s Money League study shows Real generated 22.6-billion-rand in the 2024/25 season although they didn’t win a single major trophy. Another Spanish club, Barcelona, is second on 18.4-billion-rand, followed by Germany’s Bayern Munich with 16.3-billion-rand. Liverpool lies fourth, followed by France’s Paris Saint-Germain, and English clubs Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-11-cents and the euro at 18-rand-92-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-80-cents and Bitcoin trades at 89-thousand-144-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-931-dollars-19-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-52-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….