News 16:00
BULLETIN 5 June 4 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Nine senior police officers are suspended over the 360-million-rand Medicare24 tender
# A Dutch court convicts a mother of war crimes for letting her minor son become an Islamic State fighter
# And rugby: Three injury-enforced changes to the Stormers’ team for the United Rugby Championships semi-final against Leinster
# 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.
Meanwhile, Parliament’s portfolio committee on Police has welcomed the dismissal of former South African Police Service organised crime head, Richard Shibiri. The committee’s chairperson, Ian Cameron, says the decision sends a strong message that misconduct in the Police Service will not be tolerated. He adds decisive action against unethical police members is essential to protecting the service’s integrity:
# The president of the Goethe University’s Centre for Financial Studies, Axel Weber, has warned that rising global economic imbalances are fueling trade tensions, financial instability and protectionist policies. Speaking at the Tito Mboweni memorial lecture, Weber said emerging economies are often the first victims when global liquidity tightens and geopolitical tensions disrupt trade and capital flows. He calls for stronger international cooperation, increased investment and balanced trade:
Moving abroad:
# A District Court in The Hague convicted a 49-year-old Dutch woman of war crimes and sentenced her to seven years in prison for allowing her then 14-year-old son to become a fighter for Islamic State. The woman, identified only as Ayada K, was convicted for aiding and abetting the recruitment of a child soldier by allowing a minor to take up arms for I-S. She was also convicted of aiding and abetting a terrorist organisation and endangering her minor children.
# Rugby: Stormers director of rugby John Dobson made three injury-enforced changes to the starting line-up for tomorrow’s United Rugby Championships semi-final against Leinster in Dublin. Winger Seabelo Senatla, flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and lock Ruben van Heerden were injured in the quarter-final victory over Cardiff in Cape Town. This have resulted in Wandisile Simelane, Jurie Matthee and Connor Evans stepping in. On the replacement bench, Warrick Gelant comes into the matchday squad to provide backline cover. 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-94-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-90-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-285-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-467-dollars-77-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 93-dollars-73-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….