News 14:00

BULLETIN 18 May 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Parliament’s speaker faces pressure over the Phala Phala matter
# Brown Mogotsi’s bail hearing is postponed to next Monday
# And cricket: The penultimate week of the IPL has arrived

# National Assembly speaker Thoko Didiza is facing mounting pressure as the Phala Phala controversy returns to Parliament. Lawmakers are expected to debate whether further parliamentary processes should proceed regarding allegations linked to president Cyril Ramaphosa and the 2020 burglary at his farm in Limpopo. Opposition parties are calling for accountability and renewed scrutiny of the matter. Didiza’s decision is expected to determine how Parliament handles the politically sensitive issue going forward.

# The Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court has postponed the bail application of controversial North West businessman Brown Mogotsi to next Monday. He was arrested on Friday after testifying before the Madlanga commission. Mogotsi faces several charges after allegedly staging an assassination attempt on himself in Vosloorus, Gauteng, last November. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says more charges could be added, while warning the public against opening false cases:

# Transnet has increased its container fuel surcharge from 52-rand to 78-rand per container, effective from the first of June. The charge applies at diesel-dependent port terminals and is aimed at recovering rising fuel costs linked to global oil price pressures and Middle Eastern tensions. Industry groups warn the increase will further strain the freight and logistics sector. Transnet says the surcharge is temporary and will be reviewed monthly depending on diesel price movements.

# Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is calling on residents and businesses to reduce water consumption to essential use only. Severe weather conditions have impacted major water treatment operations and placed pressure on the bulk water supply system. Mayoral committee member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, says while the affected treatment plants are operating, production volumes have been reduced as teams work to maintain water quality standards:

# Cricket: The penultimate week of the Indian Premier League has arrived and much is still on the line to secure play-off qualification. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru is firmly on top of the log with 16 points after beating Punjab Super Kings yesterday, with Gujarat Titans currently in second place, Sunrisers Hyderabad third and Punjab fourth. They are followed by Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders, while Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants are out of contention. The playoffs start next Tuesday.  

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-67-cents and the euro at 19-rand-39-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-26-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-719-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-541-dollars-83-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 106-dollars-87-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….