News 18:00

BULLETIN 11 March 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Richard Shibiri explains his relationship with Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala was information seeking on persons under investigation
# Old Mutual warns repeat withdrawals from two-pot retirement system raise concerns
# And, Spain is to launch a tool to monitor hate speech on social media

# The suspended head of SAPS Organised Crime Richard Shibiri has told the Madlanga Commission his relationship with businessman Vusimusi Matlala began while seeking information on persons of interest linked to investigations. Shibiri says as an organised crime investigator he often engages individuals who may have knowledge of criminal networks. He told the commission Matlala appeared to run a legitimate security business and he had no reason at the time to suspect wrongdoing or conduct a background check:

# Financial services group Old Mutual is warning that repeated withdrawals from the two-pot retirement system could undermine long-term retirement savings. Old Mutual says nearly 80-percent of members who accessed their savings pot expect to withdraw again, mainly to settle debt. Meanwhile, Alex Forbes recorded more than 140-thousand withdrawal claims in the first week of the new tax year, with about 84-thousand already paid. Experts caution that habitual withdrawals could erode retirement funds and weaken the system’s goal of preserving savings for retirement.

# Spain will launch a tool to measure hate speech on digital platforms as part of a broader strategy to increase oversight of social media companies. Prime minister Pedro Sanchez says the new tool will allow the government to systematically track the presence, amplification and impact of hate speech online. He says online hate is causing deep divisions in Spanish society. The results will be made public so citizens can see who is blocking the content, who is looking the other way, and who is profiting from it.

# Cricket: New Zealand’s white-ball captain, Mitchell Santner, and wicketkeeper Devon Conway will only play in the first three of five T20 matches against South Africa, starting on Sunday. Pace bowler Lockie Ferguson will only play in the second and the third matches. They are getting some rest after the T20 World Cup, where they lost to co-hosts India in the final. Test captain Tom Latham will lead the team in the last two matches, when batters Katene Clarke and Nick Kelly, and spinner Jayden Lennox, could make their debuts.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-37-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-97-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-98-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-896-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-181-dollars-14-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 88-dollars-77-cents a barrel.

# And lastly, the Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services has confirmed the fire in the Du Toit’s Kloof Pass has been contained despite the extreme heat. The municipality’s Jo-Anne Otto says ground teams will continue monitoring and mopping up the area, while other sections are inspected to ensure the fire remains under control:

Stay tuned for more news………….