News 14:00

BULLETIN 22 April 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A court denies police sergeant Fannie Nkosi’s bail
# tennis: Venus isn’t contemplating retirement despite another first-round exit
# And South Africa remembers legendary wrestler Jan Wilkens after his death aged 83

# Suspended police sergeant Fannie Nkosi has been denied bail at the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court. He faces charges of theft, defeating the ends of justice and illegal possession of ammunition and a stun grenade. Magistrate Thandi Theledi ruled Nkosi’s release would undermine trust in the justice system, and he may interfere with witnesses. She found the state’s case is strong, and postponed the matter to May 21:

Still in the courts:

# Eleven accused arrested for allegedly defrauding the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, appeared in the Lephalale Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo on charges of fraud and theft. It is alleged funds meant for student bursaries were diverted for personal use through fraudulent bank accounts and companies. All accused have been granted bail and are expected to appear before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 7 May as investigations continue.

# The DA calls for urgent parliamentary intervention following alarming figures in KwaZulu-Natal, where 421 girls aged 10 to 14 became pregnant in the 2025/26 financial year. The party’s Angel Khanyile says this reflects widespread sexual abuse and systemic failures in reporting and prosecution. She requests a joint meeting with police and key government departments to improve coordination and ensure offenders are prosecuted under mandatory reporting laws designed to protect children:

# Tennis: Former world number one Venus Williams still hopes to receive a wild card for the French Open, despite being eliminated in the first round of the Madrid Open in Spain. The 45-year-old has struggled to advance beyond the starting line recently. But she isn’t contemplating retirement at this stage. The men’s draw starts today. World number one Jannik Sinner of Italy is the all-out favourite to win his fifth consecutive Masters One-thousand tournament in the absence of local hero and world number two, Carlos Alcaraz.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-46-cents and the euro at 19-rand-34-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-26-cents and Bitcoin trades at 78-thousand-122-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-756-dollars-21-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 94-dollars-58-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The death of wrestler Jan Wilkens at the age of 83 has prompted a wave of tributes from family, professional peers, and lifelong fans across South Africa. Known affectionately as “The Champ” or “Oom Jan,” the former six-time EWU world super heavyweight champion was remembered not only for his physical dominance, but for his character outside the ring. Beyond his achievements, he will be remembered for his humility, strength of character, and lasting contribution to South African wrestling. Wilkens retired in 1987 after a career of more than three-thousand fights.

Stay tuned for more news………….