News 14:00

BULLETIN 10 March 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Interpol issues a red notice for a Cape Town-linked fraud suspect in a 31-billion-rand scam
# The National Dialogue steering committee’s leadership is elected
# And cricket: Kevin Pietersen wants to join England’s Test coaching team

# Interpol has issued a red notice for South African businessman Benjamin Mauerberger, also known as Ben Berger or Ben Smith, accused of laundering 31.5-billion-rand for global scam networks. Mauerberger, linked to a prominent Cape Town family, allegedly handled money flows for scam operations in Southeast Asia, including large compounds in Cambodia. Authorities in Singapore and Thailand have seized assets and increased international pressure. Investigators believe he may have fled aboard his 2.1-billion-rand yacht, the Wanderlust, as the global manhunt continues.

# South Africa’s National Dialogue process has entered its first phase following the successful election of the National Dialogue steering committee leadership. The first National Convention, held in August last year, approved the mandate, responsibilities and composition of the committee. The National Economic Development and Labour Council’s executive director, Makhukhu Mampuru, says the election of the leadership and the consolidation of the governance structures give the National Dialogue a firm foundation from which to begin the next phase of engagement.

# The legal counsel for businessman Suliman Carrim has requested a stand-down at the Madlanga commission to prepare a formal postponement application. Advocate Rafik Bhana says new financial documents, including bank statements and two undisclosed transaction records between Medicare Tshwane and Carrim’s company, Tasmica Construction, were sent to the defence early this morning. He argues the late disclosure limits time to consult with his client before questioning about undisclosed payments:

# The UDM has asked Parliament’s speaker, Thoko Didiza, to intervene over Bafana Bafana soccer coach Hugo Broos’s alleged racist and sexist remarks. The party lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission in December. The UDM’s Yongama Zigebe says Broos issued an apology, but the complaint was never confined to the conduct of one individual:

# Cricket: Former England captain Kevin Pietersen says he is open to becoming part of his adopted country’s Test coaching staff. This follow’s England’s 4-1 Ashes defeat last year which led to scrutiny of coach Brendon McCullum’s aggressive so-called Bazball tactis. South African-born Pietersen won the Ashes as well as the T20 World Cup while playing for England. He says he would look to alter the team’s approach to Tests, believing players can’t be reckless and careless in Tests like they can in white-ball cricket.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-30-cents and the euro at 18-rand-98-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-93-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-816-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-178-dollars-23-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 89-dollars-66-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….