News 11:00

BULLETIN 19 May 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The National Prosecuting Authority denies claims of a plea agreement with Cat Matlala
# The Western Cape premier says the costs of the severe storms are expected to run into billions of rand
# And rugby: Anathi Qolo will lead the Springbok Women to the Africa Women’s Cup

# The National Prosecuting Authority has denied reports that the Investigative Directorate Against Corruption has reached a plea agreement with corruption and attempted murder accused Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala. Sunday Times reported Matala was willing to provide evidence implicating certain individuals in a large-scale corruption probe linked to his company, Medicare 24, in return for leniency in the corruption trial. NPA spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, told the SABC there are engagements currently taking place between IDAC and Matala:

# ActionSA demands a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni case. This follows the collapse of the extortion and money laundering matter in the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga after the prosecutor failed to appear. ActionSA’s Dereleen James has welcomed the suspension of the prosecutor, but says accountability is needed to ensure proper management of the justice system:

# Western Cape premier Alan Winde says the full extent of the damage from last week’s devastating storms is still being assessed, with costs expected to run into billions of rand. Heavy rain, flooding, and strong winds claimed the lives of eleven people in the province. The provincial government has applied for a disaster declaration to help fund relief and rebuilding efforts in affected communities. Winde says the province is now entering a lengthy recovery phase:

Moving abroad:

# Chinese president Xi Jinping will host his Russian counterpart and close ally Vladimir Putin in Beijing today and tomorrow, as they look to preserve strong ties. Putin’s visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation between Russia and China. His visit also comes less than a week after US president Donald Trump wrapped up his own trip to Beijing. The Kremlin says Putin and Xi plan to discuss economic cooperation between the two countries, but also focus on key international and regional issues.

# Rugby: Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin has picked a strong 28-player squad for the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup set to take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from Saturday. Anathi Qolo will captain the side, which includes nine uncapped players and eight capped players who are returning to international action. South Africa, the defending champion, will face Uganda, Madagascar and hostesses Kenya in the group phase. De Bruin says the tournament is a perfect opportunity to blood new players and give some capped players proper game time.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-64-cents and the euro at 19-rand-36-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-28-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-934-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-553-dollars-32-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 107-dollars-11-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….