News 15:00

BULLETIN 15 June 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Vusi “Cat”Matlala attempted murder case postponed again
# Renewable energy producers face growing curtailment crisis
# And, British armed forces seized a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel

# The High Court in Johannesburg has postponed the case involving businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala and four co-accused to next Wednesday when a new legal representative of accused number one, Musa Kekana, is expected in court. The group faces 25 charges, including eleven counts of attempted murder linked to three shooting incidents between 2022 and 2024. The State alleges the accused orchestrated shootings, and used fraudulent invoices to conceal funds. Matlala is also accused for an alleged assassination attempt on his former girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane.

# The Wits Debating Union has called for realistic and sustainable solutions to South Africa’s socio-economic challenges as the country marks Youth Day. The union’s chairperson, Thandolwethu France, told SABC News that many young people have lost confidence because government interventions often fail to address the root causes of unemployment and economic exclusion. France argues that short-term job programmes are insufficient and called for greater investment in creating lasting economic opportunities:

# South Africa’s renewable energy producers are facing mounting financial pressure as Eskom instructs wind and solar projects to reduce power generation. Energy analyst Chris Yelland says intentional reduction levels in 2026 have risen sharply, with some projects reporting revenue losses of up to nine-percent. Independent power producers claim reimbursement delays have created a cash-flow crisis, with outstanding payments nearing one-billion-rand. Concerns have also been raised about the transparency of the curtailment process, prompting calls for greater oversight.

# UK armed forces and law enforcement officers seized a Russian shadow fleet tanker which was sailing through the English Channel. The Smyrtos was carrying more than 100-thousand tonnes of Russian crude oil. This is the first time a Russian shadow fleet vessel has been interdicted in British waters. Prime minister Keir Starmer says this successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia, and reminds those fuelling president Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine cannot hide. The UK has sanctioned more than 500 vessels.

# Cricket: Proteas Women all-rounder, Nadine de Klerk, says she is confident that they can bounce back from their heavy opening T20 World Cup loss against Australia. South Africa slumped to a 65-run defeat, which could have severe implications in their bid to qualify for the knockout stages. De Klerk says they have shown it in the last couple of World Cups that when they haven’t started as well, they have found a way to make it to the final. The Proteas will face Pakistan in Birmingham on Wednesday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-19-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-78-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-73-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-193-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-340-dollars-84-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-37-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….