News 14:00

BULLETIN 18 December 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Activists and Citizens Forum calls for the eradication of criminal syndicates
# Rugby: Fouché plays his 100th Stormers match on Saturday
# And the Weather Service warns of possible Christmas Day thunderstorms

# Activists and Citizens Forum reiterated that criminal syndicates have infiltrated South Africa’s criminal justice system, operating without fear and intimidating critics. Spokesperson Dennis Bloem cites allegations involving senior political figures, unresolved corruption cases, and delayed prosecutions as evidence of deep infiltration. He references whistleblower killings, including recent testimony-linked cases, warning the country faces a national security crisis. Bloem calls for urgent accountability and decisive action from authorities:

# The Construction Industry Development Board has raised serious concerns about poor construction oversight and non-compliance with safety standards. This follows an interim report confirming the Verulam temple which collapsed in Redcliff, KwaZulu-Natal, was non-compliant. It has been declared a crime scene after five people died. CIDB CEO Bongani Dladla told SABC News proper health and safety documentation, and strict compliance are critical to prevent similar tragedies in future:

# SANParks has urged day visitors to Kruger National Park to book online during the festive season, as gate quotas will be in place to prevent overcrowding. Visitors must arrive within their time slots, pay the applicable fees, and ensure vehicles have valid license plates. SANParks spokesperson Reynold Thakhuli says rangers, police, and the South African National Defence Force will be on duty to maintain safety:

# Rugby: Stormers prop Neethling Fouché says he seriously considered retiring while playing for the Bulls a decade ago, and playing his 100th match for the Cape Town team is a privilege. He will reach the milestone in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship home encounter with the Lions. Fouché says he was in a very low place in 2016, but his Stormers-mad girlfriend, who he married later, and his parents encouraged him to keep going. He says he hadn’t look back since joining the Stormers the next year.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-77-cents and the euro at 19-rand-65-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-38-cents and Bitcoin trades at 87-thousand-291-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-324-dollars-44-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 59-dollars-55-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The South African Weather Service has announced a 60-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms on Christmas Day afternoon expected to affect parts of Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, with isolated activity over the central and eastern regions. Meteorologist Lehlohonolo Thobela says the forecast remains a medium-term outlook, but urges the public to stay alert, monitor updates and consider weather warnings when planning travel or outdoor activities:

Stay tuned for more news………….