News 15:00

BULLETIN 30 January 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The convicted killer Thabo Bester is moved to eBongweni without notifying his legal team
# Minister Schreiber urges stronger funding and resources for the Border Management Authority
# And rugby: The Blitzboks face Fiji, Great Britain and Spain in the Singapore Sevens’ group phase

# Convicted killer and rapist Thabo Bester, serving a life sentence, has been transferred from Kgosi Mampuru maximum prison in Pretoria to the country’s tightest-security facility, eBongweni Super Maximum Prison in Kokstad, Kwa-Zulu-Natal. The move is believed to be due to security concerns following his 2023 escape from Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein after faking his own death, and subsequent recapture in Tanzania. Bester’s lawyers say they only learned of the transfer from a family friend.

# Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber has stressed that chronic under-funding of the Border Management Authority must be addressed. Delivering the 2025/26 Festive Season update, he says despite improved immigration control processes, building a modern and secure border system remains ongoing. Schreiber notes that proper investment would curb illicit trade, illegal crossings and boost revenue. He says even a ten-to-20-percent reduction in smuggling could drive economic growth:

# Trade union Solidarity says plans to double import tariffs on vehicles from 25-percent to 50-percent could hurt both the motor industry and ordinary South Africans. The union warns price of the cheapest cars could rise from around 180-thousand-rand to 225-thousand-rand, making them less affordable. It also criticises the luxury vehicle tax, which now applies to almost all cars. Solidarity’s Theuns du Buisson urges government to focus on structural reforms, lowering costs for manufacturers, and supporting local car production.

# Standard Bank South Africa’s Head of Agribusiness, Brendan Jacobs, says the Reserve Bank’s decision to hold interest rates steady is significant for farmers. He adds that further cuts could be possible, while easing debt-servicing pressures may improve efficiency and expansion. Jacobs also cites macroeconomic conditions, including a stronger rand and inflation returning to the Monetary Policy Committee’s target band this year:

# Rugby: Log leader South Africa faces Fiji, Great Britain and Spain in Pool A of the weekend’s world sevens series tournament in Singapore. The Blitzboks finished fifth in the season-opener in Dubai in November before being crowned champions in Cape Town a week later. Fiji is currently second on the log, followed by New Zealand, France and Australia. South Africa has lost several playmakers due to injuries, and coach Philip Snyman says it would be important to balance youth and experience.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-91-cents and the euro at 18-rand-99-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-91-cents and Bitcoin trades at 82-thousand-638-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-112-dollars-44-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-83-cents a barrel

Stay tuned for more news………….