News 14:00

BULLETIN 30 March 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Medicare24’c CEO admits to a ‘stupid’ action following a cash video release
# The High Court dismisses Zuma and Mbeki’s bid to remove Judge Khampepe
# And tennis: Sabalenka cements her top world ranking with her victory in Miami

# Medicare24 CEO Mike van Wyk admits he was stupid filming himself with a stack of cash, claiming it was a refundable deposit from controversial businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala. Van Wyk claims he was asked to contact suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi. He also alleges to eNCA Mkhwanazi helped secure EMPD work including blood work. Van Wyk maintains no illegal gains and says he is cooperating with investigators:

# The High Court in Johannesburg has dismissed an application by former presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki to have retired Justice Sisi Khampepe recuse herself from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of inquiry. The former presidents’ application alleged bias, conflict of interest, and misconduct. They claimed Khampepe’s past roles in the TRC and the National Prosecuting Authority compromised her neutrality in investigating the non-prosecution of apartheid-era crimes. The ruling means she will continue chairing the commission probing stalled prosecutions.

# The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has administered 129-thousand-808 out of the 150-thousand foot and mouth disease vaccines allocated to the province. This represents 86-percent usage. North West has 210 confirmed cases reported across its municipalities. The department’s spokesperson, Emelda Setlhako, says these figures highlight the spread of the disease across species and districts, reinforcing the urgency of continued vaccination and vigilance:

Meanwhile, the DA is calling on Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi and MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, to empower mayors to establish local foot and mouth disease command structures aligned with provincial efforts. The province has recorded over 200 cases. The DA’s Bronwynn Engelbrecht says while farmers face uncertainty, rising losses, and mounting pressure, those entrusted with local governance are not adequately empowered and involved in containing the disease:

# Tennis: Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus cemented her top position in the women’s world rankings after clinching the Miami Open title in the US, while the losing finalist, local player Coco Gauff, improved one place to third. Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina remains second after losing to Sabalenka in the semifinal. Poland’s Iga Swiatek dropped to fourth place, followed by Americans Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova. Elina Svitolina of Ukraine improved to seventh, with Italian Jasmine Paolini eighth, Canadian Victoria Mboko ninth and Russian Mirra Andreeva tenth.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-16-cents and the euro at 19-rand-72-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-391-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-534-dollars-84-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 107-dollars-5-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….