News 16:00

BULLETIN 12 April 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The case against the alleged murderers of Kaizer Chiefs defender Luke Fleurs has been postponed
# MEC Bredell opens a criminal docket against the Knysna Municipality
# And, tennis: The top Australian doubles player’s Olympic dream is shattered

# The Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court in Gauteng has postponed the murder case of six accused linked to Kaizer Chiefs defender Luke Fleurs’ fatal shooting during a botched hijacking in Johannesburg. They face charges of murder, robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms and defeating the ends of justice. The postponement aims to facilitate Legal Aid applications. In her ruling, magistrate Annaline Africa ordered the media to refrain from showing her face and that of court officials:

# Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, has laid criminal charges against Knysna Municipality due to its inadequate response to the solid waste crisis. Premier Alan Winde emphasises the municipality’s failure to provide essential services, leading to human rights violations. Bredell highlights environmental degradation and pollution due to non-compliance by the Municipality.

Meanwhile, Water and Sanitation minister, Senzo Mchunu, is meeting with Gauteng and Free State municipalities today regarding the pollution in the Vaal River. The river has been suffering from high levels of invasive plants due to untreated wastewater discharge. This follows a summit earlier this year in response to reports indicating poor water quality and increased risk in municipal wastewater treatment systems. The department’s spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa, says Mchunu will engage municipalities to devise strategies to improve water quality and halt pollution:

# Stokvel savings have surged to an impressive 9.6-billion-rand, showcasing the resilience of members amid a tough financial climate. The 15-percent increase in net deposits reflects a commitment to fostering a savings culture in South Africa. FNB’s retail and cash investments CEO, Himal Parbhoo, attributes this growth to members’ financial discipline. The bank notes the evolving nature of stokvels, encouraging members to consider a range of investment vehicles for sustained growth and financial security.

# Tennis: World number three doubles player Storm Hunter is out of Australia’s Billie Jean King Cup campaign after suffering an ankle injury that also ended her Olympic dream. She ruptured an Achilles tendon during training yesterday and is expected to be out of action for up to six months. Hunter ended last year as the world’s top doubles player. She says on social media she is heartbroken and devastated. Australia faces Mexico in the weekend’s Billie Jean King Cup qualifier in Brisbane.

# And, the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-76-cents and the euro at 19-rand-99-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-40-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-870-dollars-1-cent. Gold sells at two-thousand-392-dollars-76-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-85-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….