News 15:00

BULLETIN 28 February 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Seventh suspect is arrested in the AKA and Motsoane murder case
# The Mandela family declines Gauteng government’s offer to renovate his Johannesburg mansion
# And Rugby: A French centre will miss the rest of the Six Nations after a red card against Italy 

# KwaZulu-Natal police have confirmed the arrest of another suspect in the murder case of rapper and producer Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes and his friend, Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane. This follows after provincial police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi confirmed last night that six people have been arrested in connection to the murders in Durban last year. Police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda hopes the arrests will provide further insight into the progress of the investigation and the legal proceedings surrounding the high-profile case:

# The family of Nelson Mandela has declined a proposal from the Gauteng government for public funds to renovate the late president’s home in Houghton. The Johannesburg Heritage Foundation’s spokesperson, David Fleminger, confirmed discussions with the Mandela family regarding renovations and potential public access post-renovation. Fleminger revealed the family’s preference for private donors over public funds for renovation expenses.

# Putco Bus Company and workers’ union Numsa could not find middle ground over suspended employees. The dispute dates back to an illegal strike in September 2022, after which certain employees were suspended with full pay pending the outcome of a CCMA inquiry. Putco spokesperson, Lindokuhle Xulu says during a follow up meeting yesterday, NUMSA demanded that all suspended employees be reinstated or not have to report to Putco premises while being suspended:

# Rugby: France will be without centre Jonathan Danty for the rest of the Six Nations after his five-week suspension for foul play in the past weekend’s drawn match against Italy. The 31-year-old was sent off in Lille for a high tackle on Italian centre Juan Ignacio Brex, and the yellow card was then upgraded to red. The disciplinary committee says Danty admitted he deserved the red card. He will miss France’s final two games against Wales in Cardiff and at home against England.

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-25-cents and the euro at 20-rand-83-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-36-cents and Bitcoin trades at 59-thousand-363-dollars-29-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-and-27-dollars-47-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-90-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services has urged caution as temperatures soar. The South African Weather Service forecasts over 40 degrees Celsius for the next 48 hours. Spokesperson Anesca Roodt warns of heightened wildfire risk. Residents are advised to remain vigilant and exercise extreme caution to prevent the rapid spread of fires during this period:

Stay tuned for more news………….