News 18:00

BULLETIN 5 March 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ex-MP Vincent Smith sentenced to seven years in prison for BOSASA fraud
# Forum for South Africa says freedom of religion is non-negotiable
# And, the Soil of Africa Movement welcomes completion of the placement of the remaining Grade one and eight learners in Gauteng

# The High Court in Johannesburg has sentenced former member of Parliament Vincent Smith following a plea agreement with the state. The corruption and fraud charges relate to the gratification he received from BOSASA. Smith also failed to disclose approximately 28-million-rand in taxable income from Euroblitz 48 as sole director and shareholder. He pleaded guilty to fraud, money laundering, and contraventions of the Tax Act. Smith was sentenced to 12 years on each count, of which five years were suspended. Judge Mahomed Ismail said corruption requires decisive action.

# Forum for South Africa rejects any attempts to interfere with religious doctrine and targeting of a particular faith. This follows recent comments by the chairperson of the Commission for the Rights of Cultural, Religious, and Linguistic Communities, Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, which reignited the debate around regulating religion in South Africa. FOSA leader Tebogo Mashilompane says the right to practice any faith without fear of state interference is protected under the Constitution:

# Soil of Africa Movement has welcomed the placement of all Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners who applied through the 2026 Gauteng Online Admissions system. A total of 392-thousand-224 learners in these two grades were placed for this academic year through the online system. The movement’s chairperson, Bongani Ramontja, says they also welcome the announcement that schools will initiate appropriate catch-up plans to assist learners in recovering any curriculum time lost:

# Showmax will be phased out in South Africa following a review of Multichoice streaming operations after its acquisition by Canal-Plus. Multichoice cites unsustainable annual losses and a focus on financial discipline. The closure will not involve retrenchments, with staff supported through transition options. Canal-Plus plans to launch its own platform, promising premium content, technological innovation, and expanded services for African and international audiences.

# Rugby: Springbok assistant coach Tony Brown believes the All Blacks will be very good this year after Dave Rennie was appointed as Scott Robertson’s successor as head coach. The New Zealander thinks the Kiwis will be a formidable force under Rennie, who didn’t have a very good win record coaching the Wallabies from 2020 to 2023. The coach previously led the Chiefs to back-to-back Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013. Brown also recommitted to South African rugby until after next year’s World Cup in Australia.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-57-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-23-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-13-cents and Bitcoin trades at 72-thousand-593-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-108-dollars-23-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-50-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….