News 15:00

BULLETIN 18 November 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Former minister Gigaba is charged with corruption relating to Transnet contracts
# Singapore confiscates record haul of smuggled rhino horns from South Africa
# And boxing: Wardley is the new heavyweight champion after Usyk relinquishes the title

# Former Public Enterprises minister Malusi Gigaba appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in Gauteng today, charged with corruption linked to three Transnet contracts signed during his tenure. He faces charges alongside former Transnet executives Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama, Anoj Singh, and Thamsanqa Jiyane. The alleged irregular multi-billion-rand procurement locomotive contracts is dated from 2010 to 2014. The case was postponed to 30 January for docket disclosure and indictment.

# Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has called for a comprehensive review of VIP protection services following testimony before the Madlanga commission implicating suspended Metro Police deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi. The commission heard Mkhwanazi allegedly entered an illegal contract with CAT VIP Protection, owned by controversial businessman Vusimusi ‘Cat’ Matlala, including misuse of blue lights. Xhakaza says the review will scrutinise member assignments and deployments, ensuring transparency:

# Homeowners and aspirant buyers have reason to be optimistic as the Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee meets on Thursday. Economist Bradd Bendall says lower interest rates and a strengthening rand are easing bond repayments, while first-time buyers benefit from declining deposits and strong lending appetite. He says house price inflation remains high, reflecting property’s long-term value:

# Singapore’s National Parks Board announced the seizure of a record 35.7-kilogram of smuggled South African rhino horns worth about 15-million-rand en route to Laos. The largest haul in Singapore to date was found in cargo declared as furniture fittings, and also contained around 150-kilogram of other animal parts, including bones, teeth and claws. Investigations showed the white rhino horns originated from South Africa. All rhino species are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, which means it is illegal to trade them.

# Boxing: Britain’s Fabio Wardley is the new WBO heavyweight champion after Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk relinquished the title. Thirty-eight-year-old Usyk knocked out Briton Daniel Dubois in June to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, holding all four belts. He was then ordered by the World Boxing Organisation to fight Wardley, who defeated Joseph Parker of New Zealand last month. However, Usyk decided to vacate the belt after thoughtful consideration. Wardley is the sixth Briton to hold the WBO heavyweight title.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-19-cents and the euro at 19-rand-92-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-60-cents and Bitcoin trades at 91-thousand-311-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-47-dollars-52-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-88-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….