News 13:00

BULLETIN 4 June 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The former National Assembly speaker’s corruption case is postponed to next month
# RISE Mzansi opposes any coalition party that declared war on the Constitution
# And cricket: Security is tightened at the Long Island stadium for the T20 World Cup 

# Former National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s corruption case has been postponed to the ninth of next month when the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court will decide on moving the matter to the High Court. Her 50-thousand-rand bail was extended. Mapisa-Nqakula is facing 12 counts of corruption and one of money laundering. She is accused of receiving over two-million-rand in kickbacks for a  contract while she was minister of Defence and Military Veterans. State prosecutor Bheki Manyathi confirmed the second accused will no longer be added as previously planned:

# RISE Mzansi says the party’s national leadership collective will vigorously oppose any coalition government that include political parties that have declared war on the Constitution, the rule of law, and general order in society. RISE Mzansi’s Mabine Seabe says the hallmark of any functioning democracy is the peaceful transfer of power, and this is a tradition South Africans must protect at all times. Seabe says the party urged all South Africans to be vigilant against misinformation and disinformation:

# Privately operated trains are set to hit South Africa’s tracks within six to nine months. According to Traxtion CEO James Holley, this move will boost the economy, which remains hindered by a dysfunctional rail system. Holley praised government’s efforts in establishing key policy frameworks, including a national rail policy, a freight logistics roadmap, and a private sector participation framework for rail. The introduction of private trains will mark a milestone in revitalising the country’s rail network.

# Over 200 mineworkers have embarked on a sit-in at Sibanye-Stillwater’s Kwezi shaft in Rustenburg, North West. The miners apparently downed tools to protest the proposed employee share ownership scheme for Kroondal employees. Executive vice president James Wellsted says discussions continue between the company and unions regarding the scheme’s details. He stresses the proposal hasn’t been implemented yet as the acquisition of Anglo Platinum’s 50-percent share in the Kroondal transaction is pending.

# Cricket: New York authorities have tightened security at the temporary stadium in Long Island which hosted South Africa and Sri Lanka in its first T20 World Cup match last night. Police snipers were positioned around the 34-thousand capacity venue as part of an operation to ensure the games are being played without incident. The final game between arch enemies India and Pakistan on Sunday is touted as the tournament’s most high-profile group match, with a pro-Islamic State group threatening to target the tournament.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-73-cents and the euro at 20-rand-37-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-91-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-671-dollars-42-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-331-dollars-20-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-83-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….