News 14:00

BULLETIN 16 May 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Parliament questions the NPA over Timothy Omotoso’s acquittal
# The Financial Intelligence Centre cracks down on estate agents and lawyers amid grey list pressure
# And cricket: A huge increase in prize money is announced for the final of the World Test Championship

# Parliament’s Justice and Constitution committee has questioned the National Prosecuting Authority over its handling of Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso’s case. The committee has expressed concern over the acquittal of Omotoso and his co-accused on 32 charges, including rape and human trafficking, following a trial that dragged on for years. The committee highlighted issues including inadequate cross-examination. NPA head Shamila Batohi acknowledged the shortcomings and cited potential errors in law during the trial:

# The Financial Intelligence Centre has intensified inspections and imposed sanctions on estate agents and legal practitioners for failing to submit mandatory risk and compliance reports. These sectors are among the final obstacles to South Africa’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list. While compliance rates have improved to approximately 70-percent, the FIC insists on near-total adherence. Non-compliant entities face fines between ten-thousand-rand and 50-thousand-rand. The FIC emphasizes that full compliance is crucial for enhancing risk assessments and facilitating South Africa’s exit from the grey list.

# The South African Human Rights Commission has welcomed an unconditional public apology issued by former DA member of Parliament, Renaldo Gouws, over a 2010 video containing racist language against Black citizens. The commission’s Wisani Baloyi says the matter was resolved through the commission’s alternative dispute resolution process. He says Gouws acknowledged the harm caused and committed to participate in SAHRC-led workshops and sensitisation sessions:

# Cricket: More than bragging rights are on offer in next month’s final of the World Test Championship between South Africa and Australia in London. The International Cricket Council has announced a huge increase in prize money, with the winning team receiving over 65-million-rand, and the losing team almost 38-million – more than what Australia earned for winning the title two-years ago. The ICC says the increase proves its efforts to give priority to the longest format of the game. The match will be played at Lord’s from the 11th.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-4-cents and the euro at 20-rand-19-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-96-cents and Bitcoin trades at 103-thousand-812-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-202-dollars-57-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-23-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Back by popular demand, Swingin’ Las Vegas returns to the Teatro, Montecasino in Johannesburg for eight shows only from today until the 25th of May. An 18-piece Johannesburg Big Band together with singers Craig Urbani, Timothy Moloi, Harry Sideropoulos and Nádine, will take audiences on a musical journey of magical memories through the life and times of Las Vegas. Audiences can expect the timeless music of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Céline Dion, Robbie Williams and more. Tickets range from 240- to 440-rand per person.

Stay tuned for more news………….