News 16:00

BULLETIN 23 February 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Special Investigating Unit flags Bushiri for exploiting Home Affairs for fraudulent documentation
# Stellenbosch University lifts more than eight-thousand financial blocks for academically deserving students
# And cycling: The Western Cape announces 500 free entries for learners in the Cape Town Cycle Tour

# The Special Investigating Unit has flagged self-proclaimed Malawian prophet Shephard Bushiri for fraudulent Home Affairs documents. South Africa seeks to have Bushiri and his wife, Mary, deported after they fled to their home country in 2020 while facing rape, fraud and money laundering charges. Acting SIU head Leonard Lekgetho says Bushiri exploited his church network to secure permanent residence, and investigators found 19-million-rand in cash donations routed to personal accounts:

# The DA says it will fight the Firearms Control Amendment Bill in cabinet and in Parliament, and consider legal remedies to protect the constitutional rights of responsible, licensed firearm owners. The DA’s Ian Cameron says should the bill be implemented in its current form, it will take guns out of the hands of legal firearm owners while criminals remain unaffected. He adds this position is grounded in the lived reality reflected in the latest crime statistics:

# Stellenbosch University has lifted more than eight-thousand financial blocks for academically deserving students for this academic year and reopened further funding avenues to ensure returning students can register. Spokesperson Martin Viljoen says the institution has also put in place flexible support measures for those with outstanding balances. He says so far they have registered more than 34-thousand students and has lifted the vast majority of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme-related financial blocks, with case-by-case assessments continuing.

# The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition says it is drafting new norms and standards to curb gambling advertising, expected to be ready by July. Director-General Simphiwe Hamilton says the move follows growing concerns over online betting’s social impact. Political party Rise Mzansi remains vocal, calling for tighter restrictions and higher taxes. Government is also targeting illegal offshore operators, while proposed amendments aim to strengthen oversight and improve player protection.

# Cycling: Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, has announced an exciting opportunity for learners in the province to participate in the Cape Town Cycle Tour free of charge. The department and the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust will make 500 free entries available to learners. Mackenzie says the 42-kilometre race is a shorter and popular alternative to the main event over 109-kilometre held on 8 March:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-3-cents and the euro at 18-rand-88-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-60-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-136-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-145-dollars-95-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-47-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….