News 14:00

BULLETIN 7 April 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A police captain is granted 50-thousand-rand bail in a multimillion-rand fraud case
# The EFF is outraged by the 5.8-million-rand spent by Nelson Mandela Bay to remunerate its suspended city manager
# And golf: Three South Africans are in the line-up for the US Masters

# A police captain attached to the Protection and Security Services, Johannes van Rensburg, has been granted 50-thousand-rand bail by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on charges of fraud and theft. The 53-year-old allegedly manipulated the Police Financial Management system to divert millions meant for presidential protection travel expenses. The case was uncovered through an internal probe, leading to Van Rensburg’s suspension. The police’s Anti-Corruption Unit is investigating the matter.

# The EFF has condemned the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro for spending 5.8-million-rand to remunerate suspended city manager Noxolo Nqwazi. Spokesperson Sinawo Thambo says Nqwazi is on suspension since October 2023 due to failure to timeously institute disciplinary processes. He says of greater concern is that the city has reportedly lost 1.6-billion-rand in rollover applications from National Treasury over the years due to the absence of a permanent city manager:

# The Democratic Alliance welcomes the removal of Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko but warns appointing Faith Mazibuko shows premier Panyaza Lesufi prioritises cadre deployment over competence. The DA’s Jack Bloom cites Mazibuko’s unimpressive record and controversial past, including costly legal settlements, as reasons the department is unlikely to improve. Bloom vowed to scrutinise Mazibuko and hold her accountable for failures affecting patients:

# Golf: Three South Africans are among the 91 players who qualified for this year’s prestigous US Masters, starting at Augusta in Georgia on Thursday. South Africa’s hopes rest on 2011 champion, 41-year-old Charl Schwartzel, who brings veteran poise and vital course knowledge. Joining him is 22-year-old debutant and rising star Casey Jarvis, who secured his spot when claiming victory at the South African Open. Rounding out the group is Aldrich Potgieter, qualifying via the PGA Tour.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-88-cents and the euro at 19-rand-50-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-35-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-740-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-660-dollars-90-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 107-dollars-44-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Justice and Constitutional Development minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says the rollout of Truth and Reconciliation Commission Housing Reparations in KwaZulu-Natal is a constitutional step toward healing past injustices. Speaking in Ndwedwe, Kubayi emphasised the need to restore dignity to victims whose homes were destroyed during apartheid violence. She says government is verifying beneficiaries and engaging communities to fast-track delivery. Kubayi emphasises the programme targets both urban and rural victims, with many elderly women among those still awaiting long-promised assistance.

Stay tuned for more news………….