News 16:00

BULLETIN 30 January 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Madlanga commission is postponed to Tuesday following a witness preparation request
# The Nkabinde enquiry is to resume with a new witness after a presidential extension
# And rugby: The Blitzboks face Fiji, Great Britain and Spain in the Singapore Sevens’ group phase

# The Madlanga commission of inquiry’s hearings have been postponed to Tuesday following an urgent application by witness legal counsel Hartley Ngoato, who requested more time to review evidence received recently. Evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson opposed the request, saying sufficient time had been provided. Chairperson, retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, granted a shorter postponement than the seven-days requested, citing fairness and the need to allow adequate time for document review:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the Nkabinde commission of inquiry’s completion date to 30 June. The enquiry, established to assess advocate Andrew Chauke’s fitness to hold office as director of Public Prosecutions in South Gauteng, was due to report today. Spokesperson Tiyisela Mpuzana says the extension allows full witness testimony and report finalisation. He adds hearings resume on Wednesday, with advocate Moipone Noko testifying.

# The Department of Correctional Services confirmed Facebook murderer and rapist Thabo Bester has been transferred to eBongweni Super Maximum Correctional Facility in Kokstad, Kwa-Zulu-Natal. Spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo says the transfer follows routine security risk assessments. Bester will continue receiving care and retain access to legal representation, family communication, and court processes. His advocate, Moafrika wa Maila, plans to apply for him to be returned to Kgosi Mampuru in Pretoria.

# Forum For South Africa has welcomed the Special Investigating Unit’s recovery of 1.7-billion-rand for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme with cautious optimism. FOSA leader Tebogo Mashilompane says the fact that 1.7-billion-rand sat idle between 2016 and 2021, while thousands of students were excluded due to funding shortages is a national disgrace:

# Rugby: Log leader South Africa faces Fiji, Great Britain and Spain in Pool A of the 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-88-cents and the euro at 18-rand-98-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-91-cents and Bitcoin trades at 82-thousand-543-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-121-dollars-20-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-94-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….