News 13:00

BULLETIN 5 March 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The attempted murder case against Mugabe’s son is postponed after a power failure
# The DA criticises DIRCO for protecting Russian interference in South African democracy
# And rugby: Hanro Liebenberg returns to the Bulls after seven years with Leicester Tigers

# The attempted murder case against the son of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, Bellarmine, and his co-accused, Tobias Matonhodze, has been postponed to Wednesday after a power failure at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg. The pair were arrested following a shooting incident at their Hyde Park residence. Defence lawyer Sinenhlanhla Mnguni says instructions from clients are pending, with the ongoing power crisis affecting the bail application progress:

# The DA says the ANC should prioritise upholding the constitutional principles of freedom, democracy, and human rights, while securing prosperous trade relations and economic growth. A study by the Institute for Security Studies, and international journalists in possession of leaked documents from Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, detail targeted cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns against South African opposition parties. The DA’s Ryan Smith says this amounts to an attack on national security:

# An estimated 300-thousand Britons are currently in areas affected by the widening conflict in the Middle East. According to Sky News, the first flight chartered by the UK government for Britons wanting to leave the region did not take off as planned and will now only leave from the Omani capital of Muscat today. The city is accessible from places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi and has become a key location for people trying to leave. At least 168-thousand Britons have registered their presence in the region.

# Rugby: Former Junior Springbok captain Hanro Liebenberg returns to the Bulls next season after seven years with English team Leicester Tigers. The 30-year-old versatile loose forward plied his trade in Pretoria from 2015 to 2019 before moving overseas, where he played 145 matches for Tigers. Bulls’ CEO Edgar Rathbone praised Liebenberg’s professionalism and leadership. He says it’s a special moment for the union to bring a player of his calibre back to Loftus, as he understands the Bulls’ DNA.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-40-cents and the euro at 19-rand-7-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-91-cents and Bitcoin trades at 72-thousand-593-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-168-dollars-25-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-55-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Italian golfer Andrea Pavan will stay in Cape Town for several weeks after being discharged from a Stellenbosch hospital following his freak accident the day before he was supposed to tee off in the South African Open. He stepped into a lift shaft when the doors opened, but the cage wasn’t there and he fell down three stories. Pavan sustained multiple injuries, but says it’s a miracle that he can still walk. He thanked local businessman Johann Rupert for financial assistance while he continues his recovery.

Stay tuned for more news………….