News 16:00

BULLETIN 6 August 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# IDAC investigator Matthews Sesoko says he warned Johnson about Nkabinde
# Sasol boosts its fuel output amid global supply pressures
# And cricket: Australia’s T20 captain will join Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the next SA20

# The Investigating Directorate against Corruption’s head of investigations, Matthews Sesoko, says he warned former head Andrea Johnson about Police minister Senzo Mchunu’s chief of staff, Cedric Nkabinde. Sesoko told the Madlanga commission he raised concerns over what he describes as Nkabinde’s dishonest conduct. He highlighted a history of untrustworthy behavior, pointing out Nkabinde had been discredited as a witness during investigations at the Independent Police Investigative Directorate:

# Sasol says higher global fuel prices and increased local production have strengthened its role in South Africa’s energy security. CEO Simon Baloyi says the company has boosted coal-to-liquids and refinery output, helping offset supply disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East. In a trading statement ahead of its annual financial results, Sasol says it expects annual earnings of up to 62-billion rand, up from 52-billion rand a year ago. The company is also expanding renewable energy projects while working to reduce emissions and maintain critical fuel production capacity.

# The Johannesburg Metro Police Department has arrested two 43-year-old Chinese nationals after recovering suspected stolen copper sheets worth an estimated 16-million-rand during an intelligence-driven operation in Booysens. Spokesperson Xolani Fihla says Tactical Response Unit officials traced the shipment to a warehouse following information linked to a Durban theft case. He says the confirmed suspects are charged for possession of suspected stolen property and detained at Johannesburg Central police station:

Moving abroad:

# The United Nations welcomes ongoing proceedings in the US to extradite bloggers Andrew and Tristan Tate to the UK. The 59 charges the brothers face, which span from 2010 to 2017, include rape, assault, trafficking and offences relating to indecent images of a child and extreme pornography. Independent UN human rights expert Reem Alsalem says all too often, perpetrators of violence against women exploit delays, fragmented jurisdictional responses and their wealth, power or influential public profile to evade accountability. She has called for the justice process to be expanded.

# Cricket: Another big name has committed to next year’s fifth edition of the SA20. The captain of Australia’s T20 team, Mitchell Marsh, will participate in the competition for the first time after having signed for triple champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape. He is expected to form an opening partnership with South Africa’s Quinton de Kock. Durban’s Super Giants and Paarl Royals have both locked in their 19-man squads, while Sunrisers, Joburg Super Kings, M-I Cape Town and Pretoria Capitals will add spots during the players’ auction on 7 October.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-30-cents and the euro at 18-rand-81-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-95-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-458-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-268-dollars-20-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 83-dollars-84-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….