News 15:00

BULLETIN 15 May 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A Durban court denies bail for AKA’s alleged killers 
# A suspect wanted for kidnapping is killed in a shootout
# And boxing: The sport’s biggest show is brought to you by Saudi Arabia

# The Durban Magistrate’s Court has rejected bail for five accused in the murder of well-known rapper Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes and his friend Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane. The extradition of two more suspects from Eswatini is still underway. Forbes and Motsoane were shot dead outside the Wish restaurant on Florida Road in Durban on 10 February last year. Magistrate Vincent Hlatshwayo deemed denial of bail in the interest of justice:

# A suspect wanted for the kidnapping and murder of a Benoni businessman, Shamshudeen Faki, was shot and killed by police on the N12 in Johannesburg. The 68-year-old Faki was kidnapped at his business premises on Saturday. A ransom demand of millions of rand was made to the family. Faki’s body was found dumped in Dalpark on Monday. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says the suspect was traced to the N12:

# The Public Servants Association has expresses disappointment over president Cyril Ramaphosa’s plan to sign the National Health Insurance Bill into law, without addressing critical concerns. While supporting efforts to rectify healthcare inequalities, the association believes the current bill’s framework presents more challenges than solutions. The association calls for clarity on the funding model and supports a public-private healthcare system. It emphasises the urgent need to rehabilitate public healthcare facilities and prioritise merit-based appointments to ensure meaningful healthcare access.

Meanwhile, Medihelp Medical Scheme says it supports the bill and remains committed to the health of its members and citizens. Principal official Varsha Vala endorses universal health coverage as a noble goal, citing examples from countries like South Korea, Brazil, and India. According to Vala, the NHI will be implemented gradually, starting with the creation of benefit committees. She clarifies that medical schemes will still exist but cannot cover services provided by the NHI once fully implemented. The scheme pledges to monitor NHI developments closely.

# Boxing: Fans will finally get to see the crowning of an undisputed heavyweight champion on Saturday. For many years, promoters, broadcasters and egos prevented this from happening, but now Saudi Arabian money has managed to clear those obstacles. Tyson Fury of Britain and Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine will contest the title fight in Riyadh. Fury has gone from ridiculing to praising his opponent, but Usyk says it is all part of the show:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-40-cents and the euro at 19-rand-92-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-21-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-532-dollars-48-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-366-dollars-6-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-86-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….