News 18:00

BULLETIN 5 April 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The SIU blocks the sale of a farm linked to kickbacks from the failed Commonwealth Games bid
# The DA says the ANC is to blame for the retrenchments at the SA Post Office 
# And, soccer: Coach Ellis is confident as Banyana faces the Super Falcons in a crucial Olympic qualifier

# The Special Investigating Unit has blocked the sale of a Limpopo farm, allegedly purchased with kickbacks from a failed Commonwealth Games bid. News24 reports former National Lotteries Commission CEO Phillemon Letwaba and his brother are accused of receiving kickbacks from lottery-funded organisations to purchase the farm. Letwaba resigned in 2022 amid a disciplinary process, with blocked pension pay-outs. The SIU found they used funds meant for a non-profit to buy the farm. An interdict prevents its sale, valued at five-million-rand, pending a civil action.

# The DA says the retrenchments at the South African Post Office are a result of the ANC’s continued gross mismanagement of the state-owned enterprise. Some four-thousand-700 workers have received their retrenchment letters to date, as part of the business rescue plan. The DA’s Natasha Mazzone says since 2014, SAPO has received more than ten-billion-rand in bail-outs from taxpayers:

# The Western Cape Education Department has reminded parents that the Grade 1 and 8 online admissions window for 2025 closes next Friday. With one week remaining, over 67-thousand applications have been received, with approximately 40-thousand Grade 7 learners who still have to apply for Grade 8. The department’s Bronagh Hammond urged parents to utilise the weekend to gather required documents and visit pop-up help centres for assistance:

# Soccer: Banyana Banyana is playing Nigeria’s Super Falcons in Abuja at the moment, aiming to secure a spot in the Olympic Games in France. Coach Desiree Ellis anticipates a tough battle in this first leg against the formidable Nigerian side. South Africa seeks their third Olympic appearance, while Nigeria aims to return after missing out since 2008. Ellis says the team hopes for a positive result:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-68-cents and the euro at 20-rand-19-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-54-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-892-dollars-29-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-303-dollars-32-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-88-cents a barrel.

# And finally, Skukuza Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park has been temporarily closed for refurbishments as part of SANParks’ commercialisation strategy. A joint venture between Tourvest Holdings and Karibu Leisure Resort has been appointed to manage the lodge for the next ten years. The closure aims to enhance visitor experience and diversify tourism offerings in partnership with the private sector. The lodge, with 256 beds, is expected to reopen under the management of the joint venture.

Stay tuned for more news………….