News 15:00

BULLETIN 18 May 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The trial of Sindiso Magaqa’s alleged murderers is delayed once again
# A drone strike near a nuclear power plant in the UAE causes a fire
# And rugby: The URC reaches the business end, with three South African teams in the quarterfinals

# The High Court in Pietermaritzburg has postponed the trial of the three alleged murderers of former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa to June 3. State prosecutor Elvis Gcweka criticised one of the accused, former uMzimkhulu municipal manager Stanley Sikhosana, for the delay after changing his legal counsel. Gcweka says four witnesses have died while others are still in witness protection after six-years. He says the state is ready to proceed:

# Business Leadership South Africa says reform of the logistics sector is critical to the country’s future economic success. According to the latest financial year data for 2025/26, the country’s eight commercial ports welcomed eight-thousand-630 vessel arrivals. This represents a nine-percent increase in ship traffic compared to the previous financial year. BLSA CEO Busiswe Mavuso says momentum must accelerate, with the completion of the Network Statement, more port concessions finalised, and the need for transaction terms that genuinely enable private investment rather than protecting Transnet’s monopoly. 

# Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has called on the March and March campaign organisers to honour Nigeria for its support during the anti-apartheid struggle. He says Nigeria provided financial aid, scholarships and political solidarity and should be recognised for its contribution to democracy. Makaneta urges the movement, who actively campaigns against undocumented immigrants, not to target undocumented children, stressing all children have a constitutional right to basic education:

# A drone strike caused a fire at a nuclear power plant in the ​United Arab Emirates, while Saudi Arabia reported intercepting three drones. This comes as US president Donald Trump warned Iran must act fast after efforts to ‌end the Middle Eastern war appeared to have stalled. Emirati officials say they were investigating the source of the strike, and the UAE has the full right to respond to such terrorist attacks. A diplomatic adviser to the UAE government says it represents a dangerous escalation.

# Rugby: The United Rugby Championship has reached the business end, and three South African teams qualified for the quarterfinals. The Stormers and the Bulls secured home fixtures. The Stormers, who ended third on the log, will play Welsh team Cardiff in Cape Town next Saturday, while fourth-placed Bulls will welcome Ireland’s Munster to Loftus in Pretoria. The Lions, who ended in seventh place, are away to Leinster in Ireland. The semifinals will be played on the sixth of next month, and the final on the 20th.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-69-cents and the euro at 19-rand-41-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-29-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-719-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-538-dollars-45-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 107-dollars-42-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….