News 15:00

BULLETIN 13 March 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa reiterates his confidence that load-shedding will be resolved 
# Charges are dropped against an alleged sangoma in the Joslin Smith disappearance case
# And cricket: Jimmy Anderson says he’s in the best shape of his life at 41

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised government’s efforts to address the energy crisis as Eskom escalates load-shedding to stage 3. He was speaking on the sidelines of the bi-lateral meeting with Ghanaian president Akufo-Addo in Pretoria. Ramaphosa acknowledged the challenge of resolving load-shedding and gave the assurance that government is reforming the energy system to alleviate the crisis:

# Three accused in the Joslin Smith disappearance case have abandoned their bid for bail in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court. Charges were withdrawn against the fourth accused, alleged sangoma Phumza Sigaqa, after no evidence could be found of her alleged involvement. Joslin’s mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, her boyfriend Jacquin “Boeta” Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn are charged with human trafficking and kidnapping after alleged confessions that they sold Joslin for 20-thousand-rand for muti. The case has been postponed to 13 May for further investigation and cellphone data to be obtained.    

# Johannesburg Water and Rand Water teams are reconfiguring systems to boost flows in Linden 1, Linden 2, and Kensington B systems. Johannesburg Water spokesperson, Nombuso Shabalala, says investigations revealed a closed Rand Water valve, restricting supply. She says reservoirs remain critically low due to an incident at the Eikenhof pump station. Shabalala says they are monitoring systems closely for necessary actions:

# Migrants who have been refused asylum in the United Kingdom will be offered thousands of pounds to move to Rwanda. According to The Times, the new relocation scheme is designed to remove migrants who have no legal right to stay in the UK but cannot be returned to their home country. It will be aimed at individuals who do not have an outstanding asylum claim and are in a position to relocate swiftly. The Home Office has not confirmed the scheme but is said to be exploring voluntary relocations to Rwanda.

# Cricket: Veteran English bowler Jimmy Anderson says he’s in the best shape of his life, and is looking forward to the three-match home Test series against the Windies in July. But the 41-year-old realises he still has to deserve his place in the squad. Anderson scored one-thousand-353 runs and claimed 700 wickets in 187 Tests since making his debut in 2002. He says although they lost the recent series against India 4-1, the team is in a good place under captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-65-cents and the euro at 20-rand-40-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-88-cents and Bitcoin trades at 73-thousand-285-dollars-49-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-163-dollars-15-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-92-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….