News 15:00

BULLETIN 2 June 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A fraud accused Emfuleni contractor is linked to the investigation into a whistleblower’s murder
# The UDM insists president Cyril Ramaphosa must appear before the impeachment committee
# And rugby: Matthee is expected to seamlessly replaces Sacha in the Stormers’ team

# A suspect in a corruption case in Emfuleni, Gauteng, has been linked to the investigation into the killing of whistleblower Martha Mani-Rantsofu. The political killings task team arrested 25-year-old contractor Janitha van Reenen for allegedly defrauding the municipality of more than 400-thousand-rand. She is also believed to have information about the murder after reportedly telling police she can name those responsible. Van Reenen’s case in the Vanderbiljlpark Magistrate’s Court has been postponed for further investigation, while she remains in custody.

# The United Democratic Movement has emphasised on president Cyril Ramaphosa’s appearance before Parliament’s impeachment committee investigating the Phala Phala scandal. This follows a unanimous Constitutional Court ruling that the National Assembly acted unlawfully when it blocked an independent inquiry in 2022. UDM deputy president Nqabayomzi Kwankwa told SABC News committee members led by elected chairperson, Makashule Gana, must ensure adequate resources are available for a seamless process of accountability:

# The Department of Home Affairs launched a nationwide campaign to assist people whose identity numbers were blocked before November 2022. Affected people have until 10 July to submit representations explaining why their IDs should be restored, in line with the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act. The department says the initiative aims to regularise records while protecting the National Population Register, with over 2.2-million IDs already unblocked through previous verification processes.

# Rugby: The Stormers expect Jurie Matthee to fit seamlessly in the team for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship semifinal against Leinster in Ireland. He replaces Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who sustained a long-term injury during the quarterfinal against Cardiff. Former Blitzboks star Seabelo Senatla was concussed during that game and also didn’t leave with the team last night. Director of rugby John Dobson says Matthee had been part of the Stormers’ successes overseas and is considered ideal for the type of rugby they hope to play in Dublin.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-20-cents and the euro at 18-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-82-cents and Bitcoin trades at 69-thousand-414-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-528-dollars-86-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 93-dollars-21-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier congratulated a Grade 11 learner from Mondale High School, Zayaan Abdurahman, who has been selected as one of eight South African learners to visit the Kennedy Space Centre next month. She earned her place through the South African Space Design Competition for designing futuristic space settlements. Zayaan says she’s thrilled by the opportunity to compete internationally and tour NASA facilities in the USA:

Stay tuned for more news………….