News 14:00

BULLETIN 28 August 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa seeks a report from the Justice minister on the VBS Mutual Bank corruption claims 
# The Asset Forfeiture Unit and the Special Investigating Unit secure an order to protect 6.5-million-rand’s assets acquired with lottery money
# And, cricket: Olly Stone has been recalled to replace the injured Mark Wood in England’s team

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed concern over media reports alleging corruption involving minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Thembi Simelane. The reports suggest that Simelane improperly received money from VBS Mutual Bank during her tenure as mayor of Polokwane Municipality in Limpopo. Ramaphosa has requested a detailed report and briefing from Simelane to address these allegations.  

# The Asset Forfeiture Unit and the Special Investigating Unit have secured a preservation order from the High Court to protect assets worth approximately 6.5-million-rand linked to fraudulent National Lotteries Commission grant allocations. The preserved assets include four properties and a vehicle acquired through misappropriated Lottery funds. According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, this action is part of an ongoing investigation into the misuse of grants intended for community development:

# Parliament’s portfolio committee on Communications and Digital Technologies has called for enhanced public funding for the SABC to effectively fulfill its public service mandate. With 2.1-billion-rand in unfunded costs this year, the committee warns of an existential crisis for the public broadcaster. Chairperson Khusela Diko emphasised to the SABC the need for public-private partnerships during discussions on the SABC Bill:

# Cricket: Olly Stone has been recalled to the England side for the first time in three years as the replacement for Mark Wood in the only change for the second Test against Sri Lanka. Wood has been ruled out for the remainder of the series after suffering a thigh injury during England’s five-wicket win in the first Test at Old Trafford. England are rejuvenating their pace attack following the retirements of veterans Stuart Broad and James Anderson. The second Test of the three-match series begins at Lord’s tomorrow.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-77-cents and the euro at 19-rand-77-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-49-cents and Bitcoin trades at 59-thousand-898-dollars-94-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-506-dollars-99-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-59-cents a barrel.

# And, Australia has introduced the Right to Disconnect Law, allowing workers to ignore non-essential after-hours calls and emails. Employers can face fines of up to 1.1-million-rand for breaching these new rules. Prime minister Anthony Albanese emphasised that the law aims to boost productivity and mental health. He argues that employees don’t get paid 24-hours a day, so they don’t have to work 24-hours a day. The law mirrors similar legislation in France, Spain, and Belgium.

Stay tuned for more news………….