News 14:00

BULLETIN 4 June 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Parliament warns Tongaat Hulett’s future remains a major threat to the recovery of the sugar industry
# Brown Mogotsi is denied bail over address disputes
# And tennis: Russia and Ukraine clash on the court in Paris today

# Parliament’s portfolio committee on Trade, Industry and Competition has warned the future of Tongaat Hulett remains a major threat to the recovery of the sugar industry. Chairperson Mzwandile Masina says an enabling biofuels regulatory framework, similar to those in Brazil and India, is needed to support diversification and long-term sustainability. The committee urges government, the private sector and the Industrial Development Corporation to help save Tongaat Hulett. Industry stakeholders have raised concerns over rising sugar imports and the impact of liquidation on jobs and rural communities.

# The Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court has denied bail to self-proclaimed political fixer Brown Mogotsi. The court found he failed to prove his residential address and ruled without that, authorities could struggle to locate him if released. Mogotsi faces charges linked to the alleged fabrication of an assassination plot in Vosloorus, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area, defeating the ends of justice and perjury.

# KwaZulu-Natal Hawks unit commander Gavin Jacob has come under scrutiny at the Madlanga commission over decisions relating to the storage of seized exhibits. Chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga challenged his claim that all storage options had been exhausted, pointing out that he never contacted nearby police stations to confirm available space. Jacob admits he had made assumptions based on past logistical challenges involving large quantities of evidence:

# Limpopo police are offering a 100-thousand-rand reward for information that may lead to the arrest and successful prosecution of the suspects responsible for the murder of a senior court interpreter. Fifty-six-year-old Thomas Langa, attached to the Giyani Regional Court, was shot dead in his vehicle along the R81 Road in Malamulele. Police spokesperson, Malesela Ledwaba, says anyone who has information on this case is urged to come forward:

# Tennis: The drawn-out war between Russia and Ukraine will be in the spotlight at the French Open today when women from the two neighbouring countries meet in the semifinal. Eighth-seeded Russian Mirra Andreeva plays 15th-seeded Marta Kostyuk for a place in Saturday’s final. Twenty-three-year-old Kostyuk had been one of the most prominent Ukrainian athletes to regularly denounce the war. She referred to it again after beating compatriot Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals. In the other semifinal, another Russian, 25th-seeded Diana Shnaider, will play Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska.  

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-25-cents and the euro at 18-rand-90-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-84-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-678-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-468-dollars-15-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 95-dollars-73-cents a barrel

Stay tuned for more news………….