News 17:00

BULLETIN 29 January 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Reserve Bank keeps the interest rate at 6.75-percent as inflation nears its 3-percent target
# Lesetja Senona refuses the claim about a business connection between him and Matlala
# And rugby: The Springbok hooker André-Hugo Venter extends his contract with the Stormers

# The South African Reserve Bank has decided to keep the interest rate unchanged at 6.75-percent, citing steady economic growth and inflation close to its three-percent target. Governor Lesetja Kganyago told the media the economy has grown for four consecutive quarters, led by household spending, though investment remains weak. Kganyago added the central bank signalled that gradual rate cuts could follow as inflation stabilises, with neutral rates expected by next year:

# The head of the Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal, Lesetja Senona, has told the Madlanga Commission there is no business connection between him and businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala. He is testifying before the commission in Pretoria for a third day today. WhatsApp messages were used to show that Senona allegedly maintained a questionable relationship with Matlala. However, Senona mentioned that he only wanted an update from Matlala and his son Thato Senona on their business contract:

# The City of Johannesburg’s mayoral committee member  for Environment and Infrastructure Services, Jack Sekwaila, has strongly condemned the burning of Pikitup waste collection trucks in Diepsloot in the north yesterday. The city’s spokesperson, Nthatisi Modingoane, says this incident has been reported to police for investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the destruction of the company’s vehicles and to apprehend those responsible:

# Authorities in Pakistan have ordered enhanced screening of people entering the country for signs of infections of the deadly Nipah virus. This follows after India confirmed two cases, adding to the number of Asian countries stepping up controls. Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam have also tightened screening at airports. The virus can cause fever and brain inflammation and has a high mortality rate. There is also no vaccine. As of last month, there have been 750 confirmed Nipah infections globally, with 415 deaths.

# Rugby: Springbok hooker André-Hugo Venter has recommitted his future to the Stormers by signing a contract extension which runs until 2029. Having lifted the United Rugby Championship trophy in 2022 at the young age of 20, and with 77 Stormers matches to his name already, 24-year-old Venter is poised to hit his prime over the next three seasons. Director of rugby John Dobson says keeping a player like Venter at this stage in his career is key to the Project 2029 strategy.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-67-cents and the euro at 18-rand-75-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-65-cents and Bitcoin trades at 87-thousand-949-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-525-dollars-10-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-95-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….