News 18:00

BULLETIN 30 January 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Shamila Batohi says anti-corruption unit hits major milestones
# The ConCourt dismissed Guptas and Iqbal Sharma’s Nulane appeals
# And, minister Leon Scheiber reveals illegal border crossings dropped sharply over the festive season

# Outgoing National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi says the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption reached key milestones in 2024/25. The unit enrolled 50-high-profile cases involving 332 accused, with major matters like Transnet set for court. Batohi says 380-corruption convictions were secured, alongside 268-complex commercial crime convictions. In addition, she hailed the Asset Forfeiture Unit who recovered 1.96-billion-rand, with 1.9-billion-rand paid into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account to fund crime-fighting efforts:

# The Constitutional Court has dismissed a series of appeals by the Guptas and associate Iqbal Sharma against a Supreme Court of Appeal ruling that the Nulane corruption case can be retried. The appeals challenged the decision in which Free State High Court acting Judge Nompumelelo Gusha discharged the accused in the 24.9-million-rand Nulane fraud and money‑laundering matter. The States appeal at the SCA saw an order that the accused may be tried before a different judge. The Constitutional Court has upheld the SCA’s decision.

# Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber says attempted illegal border crossings declined significantly over the festive season, crediting stronger enforcement and deterrence. Between 10 December and 15 January, over 25-thousand people were intercepted, most without valid documents. Schreiber says artificial intelligence-powered drones, intensified patrols, partnerships with law enforcement and transport agencies helped curb illegal movement. In addition he said arrests of facilitators and improved surveillance showing that prevention efforts are working:

# The Inkatha Freedom Party welcomes the Reserve Bank’s decision to hold the repo rate at 6.75-percent, saying it offers short-term relief to households and businesses. The party’s Nhlanhla Hadebe warns that monetary policy alone cannot drive growth and calls for bold fiscal and structural reforms, including support for consumers, small, medium and micro enterprises, and housing. Hadebe stresses coordinated government action to protect vulnerable households:

# Motorsport: Lewis Hamilton hailed an “amazing” amount of mileage for Ferrari on day four of Formula One’s pre-season shakedown in Spain. Ferrari failed to win a race last year, and seven-time world champion Hamilton suffered his first season without a single podium appearance. He joined Ferrari at the end of 2024. All teams must choose three of five days to run their new car in the behind-closed-doors test in Barcelona. Formula One teams have two open tests in Bahrain next month before the Australia GP on March 8.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-98-cents and the euro at 19-rand-1-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-98-cents and Bitcoin trades at 82-thousand-840-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-63-dollars-16-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-74-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….