News 12:00

BULLETIN 9 July 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Senzo Mchunu denies links to the accused underworld figure Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala
# Spanish police say Liverpool soccer star Diogo Jota was driving at the time of the fatal crash
# And rugby: Willie Le Roux will become the eighth Springbok to reach 100 Tests on Saturday

# Police minister Senzo Mchunu says he has never met or spoken with tenderpreneur Vusimusi ‘Cat’ Matlala, who was arrested in May for attempted murder. According to KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, evidence found on Matlala’s phone links the minister to unauthorised communications through an associate, Brown Mogotsi. Police ministry’s spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, says Mchunu did initiate a review of the police tender awarded to Matlala when suspicions of possible wrongdoing surfaced:

# The DA is urging president Cyril Ramaphosa to immediately begin the process of finding National Director of Public Prosecutions advocate Shamila Batohi’s replacement. She is set to retire in January next year. The DA’s Glynnis Breytenbach says part of the solution to fixing the National Prosecuting Authority is a qualified, capable director at the helm. She adds that Ramaphosa must follow a transparent process that incorporates public participation and parliamentary deliberations in finding suitable candidates for the position.

# Union federation Cosatu is deeply concerned about the pending 30-percent tariff announced by US president Donald Trump on South African exports, saying this will have a devastating impact on the economy. Sectors that will be hard hit include automotive, agriculture, clothing, chemical and jewellery. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says it’s clear that more engagement with the US government is required to find alternatives that will be beneficial for jobs and businesses in both countries:

# Spanish police say all the evidence so far shows Diogo Jota was driving his high-powered supercar, a Lamborghini Huracan, when it crashed last week, killing the Liverpool soccer player and his brother. Authorities also believe evidence is pointing towards the vehicle significantly exceeding the speed limit for the highway. The multi-millionaire player was on his way back to Liverpool for pre-season and was making the trip by car and ferry. The accident happened on the Rias Bajas Highway near Palacios de Sanabria.

# Rugby: Willie le Roux will become the eighth Springbok centurion when they play Italy in the second Test in Gqeberha on Saturday. The team will be captained by Salmaan Moerat while Siya Kolisi continues his recovery from injury. Three players – Jasper Wiese’s brother, Cobus, Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Ethan Hooker – could make their debuts from the bench, and Manie Libbok and Grant Williams are the new half-back pairing. Coach Rassie Erasmus says Le Roux is a fantastic playmaker and he’s thrilled to see him achieve this incredible feat.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-83-cents and the euro at 20-rand-89-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-24-cents and Bitcoin trades at 108-thousand-844-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-286-dollars-51-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-2-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….