News 15:00

BULLETIN 5 June 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Nine senior police officers are suspended over a 360-million-rand Medicare24 tender
# The FF Plus is alarmed at Johannesburg discharging 90-million litres of untreated sewage into rivers daily
# And rugby: The Stormers are up against a formidable Leinster team in the United Rugby Championships’ semi-final

# The South African Police Service has confirmed the suspension of nine senior officers linked to the controversial 360-million-rand Medicare24 tender for Tshwane District. Those suspended include the divisional commissioner for Technology Management Services, Edith Mavundla, and acting deputy national commissioner for Support Services, Lineo Nkhuoa. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says the suspensions are pending disciplinary and related investigations. The contract, which was awarded in 2024 and later cancelled, is under scrutiny over alleged procurement irregularities linked to controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

# Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, has welcomed the proclamation signed by president Cyril Ramaphosa, authorising the Special Investigating Unit to probe the Unemployment Insurance Fund and the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority. The investigation relates to allegations of maladministration, corruption, and unlawful conduct linked to training contracts intended for over seven-thousand learners. The department’s spokesperson, Thobeka Magcai, says those who have compromised the integrity of skills development programmes for personal gain must face the full might of the law:

# Eskom has welcomed the signing of a gas supply agreement with Zululand Energy Terminal, describing it as a major step towards large-scale gas-fired power generation. Board chairperson Mteto Nyati says the deal reflects Eskom’s renewed focus on powering South Africa’s growth sustainably. He says gas and renewable energy will work together to improve grid reliability, reduce diesel use and support the country’s long-term energy transition:

# The Freedom Front Plus is alarmed because three of the City of Johannesburg’s wastewater treatment works are responsible for approximately 90-million litres of untreated sewage flowing into rivers every day. Untreated sewage is carried southwards via the Klip River, while the bulk flows northwards to the Hartbeespoort Dam via the Jukskei River. Spokesperson Cor Boer says six wastewater treatment plants no longer have the capacity to process the growing volume of sewage:

# Rugby: Leinster is going full-strength against the Stormers in tomorrow’s United Rugby Championships semi-final, with no less than ten international players in their line-up for the clash at the Aviva-stadium in Dublin. Three changes have also been made to the Irish team that thrashed the Lions 59-10 in last weekend’s quarterfinal. Scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park is back in the starting team while Ronan Kelleher is coming in as hooker and flanker Josh van der Flier also back in the starting-15. Kick-off is at 6.30 pm.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-27-cents and the euro at 18-rand-93-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-91-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-345-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-463-dollars-68-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 94-dollars-9-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….