News 15:00

BULLETIN 15 May 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC raises concern over the separation of powers following the Phala Phala judgment
# Eskom will take action over irregular diesel procurement contracts worth 21-billion-rand
# And: BOSA lays fraud charges against the Gambling Board’s CEO

# ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says the party is concerned about possible judicial encroachment following the Constitutional Court ruling on Parliaments position on president Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala matter. Briefing the media, Mbalula said the ANC believes the court appeared to direct Parliament on how to handle the Section 89 impeachment process. He says the party is examining whether the judgment affects the separation of powers doctrine:

# Eskom says it will be pursuing disciplinary action and possible criminal charges against several employees and suppliers. This follows the conclusion of the investigation into the irregular diesel procurement contracts worth 21-billion-rand. The investigation, initiated in March 2025, focused on contracts for diesel supply to Eskom’s Open Cycle Gas Turbine power stations, including the strategically critical Ankerlig power station near Cape Town. The power utility says investigations point to procurement control failures, questionable supplier appointments, and over three-billion-rand in abnormal prepayments to diesel contractors.

# Build One South Africa has laid criminal charges against Gauteng Gambling Board CEO Karabo Mbele over allegations of fraud, corruption and abuse of office. BOSA Gauteng member of provincial legislature, Ayanda Allie, opened the case at Bramley Police Station following whistleblower reports. The allegations involve irregular funding allocations and undisclosed conflicts of interest linked to recruitment companies and socio-economic development projects worth millions of rand. BOSA has called on Gauteng Economic Development MEC Vuyiswa Ramakgopa to suspend Mbele pending investigations.

# The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union says it rejects the attempt by Correctional Services minister, Pieter Groenewald, to reintroduce rank insignia and advance the backdoor militarisation of the department, without proper consultation with organised labour. The minister stated that this is aimed at enhancing discipline and restoring structural hierarchy. POPCRU spokesperson, Richard Mamabolo, says this dangerous regression represents an attack on the democratic transformation of correctional services, and a direct violation of established collective bargaining agreements:

# Soccer: Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has announced a squad of 23 players to take on Japan in back-to-back away international friendly matches next month. Overseas-based duo Thembi Kgatlana and Bongeka Gamede return to the squad after missing the recent camp in Algeria due to injury. Ellis says the encounters will provide an opportunity to test players ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-59-cents and the euro at 19-rand-32-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-20-cents and Bitcoin trades at 80-thousand-668-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-563-dollars-57-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 104-dollars-96-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….