News 16:00

BULLETIN 24 March 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A Tshwane tender probe highlights companies linked to alleged cartels
# The DA slams the ongoing mental health failures in Gauteng
# And soccer: Zinedine Zidane is to take over as France’s coach after the FIFA World Cup

# Tshwane Metro Police deputy chief Revo Spies has told the Madlanga Commission that 22-companies awarded three-year tenders are under scrutiny. The contracts ran from March 2022 to February 2025 under municipal regulations. Spies identified three firms allegedly linked to criminal cartels. Evidence leader, Teboho Mosikili, says these companies including Gubis85 Solutions, Izingwenya 210 Investments and Triotic Protection Services will feature prominently for possible interference and irregularities in the procurement process:

# Property owners are being urged to review updated municipal valuations or risk higher rates bills. Rates Watch director of Valuations, Ben Espach, warns that over 30 municipalities, including Cape Town and eThekwini, have issued new valuation rolls with objection deadlines mostly in April. He says these valuations determine property rates for years, and errors can be costly if unchallenged. Espach told Moneyweb that municipalities are legally required to notify every owner individually of the new valuation, however he advises owners to verify property categories and values.

# The DA in Gauteng says mental health patients are still being mistreated a decade after the Life Esidimeni tragedy. DA Health spokesperson, Jack Bloom, cites findings by the Health Ombud into the death of Lerato Mohlamme at George Mukhari Hospital, highlighting neglect and abuse. Bloom condemned poor supervision, unsafe conditions and protocol failures persistence. He calls on premier Panyaza Lesufi to take decisive action:

# Ship-refuelling companies along Africa’s coast are seeing increased demand as vessels reroute around the Cape of Good Hope amid ongoing Middle East conflict. Major carriers including Maersk are avoiding the Suez Canal and Red Sea routes, boosting Africa’s role as a fuel hub. While the shift is driving investment and growth, industry experts warn that infrastructure gaps, regulatory challenges, and global fuel supply risks could limit long-term expansion.

# Soccer: French soccer icon Zinedine Zidane has agreed to take over his national team’s head coaching duties following this summer’s Fifa World Cup. According to ESPN the 53-year-old Zidane, reached a verbal agreement with the French Football Federation to replace Didier Deschamps, who has held the role since 2012. Zidane managed LaLiga powerhouse Real Madrid for two stints and has long been expected to eventually become the coach for France. As a player, the dynamic midfielder won the 1998 Ballon d’Or and was a three-time Fifa World Player of the Year.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-6-cents and the euro at 19-rand-77-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-85-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-881-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-365-dollars-67-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 99-dollars-17-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….