News 16:00

BULLETIN NEWS AGENCY 15 August 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Julius Malema offers support to Floyd Shivambu and warns of more EFF resignations
# The review board revokes the parole for convicted child killer Marius van der Westhuizen
# And, cricket: Temba Bavuma says they want to win the Test series against the Windies despite the weather

# EFF leader Julius Malema warns the resignation of co-founder and deputy president Floyd Shivambu might lead to further departures from the party. In his media address, Malema, reflecting on Shivambu’s exit after eleven years, stated that while the EFF’s constitution does not allow rejoining from other parties, Shivambu is welcome to return if he decides to. He urged members to stay united and strengthen the party during this critical period: 

# The Correctional Supervision and Parole Review Board has revoked the decision to grant parole to Marius van der Westhuizen, who was convicted of murdering his three minor children. He was scheduled for release on 31 July after serving 13 years of a 24-year sentence. Minister of Correctional Services, Pieter Groenewald, welcomed the decision, stating the need for parole system reforms to protect society’s most vulnerable. Groenewald requested the review after he was appointed to cabinet.

# Public Works and Infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson has vowed to reclaim hijacked government buildings and to address abandoned ones nationwide. While conducting inspections, Macpherson stated that government will no longer allow criminals to profit from illegally occupied properties. In Durban’s Point area, some government buildings have been illegally occupied for over 20 years. The minister has promised to initiate evictions and implement this strategy across all provinces facing similar issues.

# The Bank of Namibia has cut its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 7.5-percent, diverging from South Africa’s policy for the first time in over a year. This move aims to support Namibia’s economy, with inflation expected to average 4.7-percent in 2024. Governor Johannes !Gawaxab notes that the rate difference with South Africa, whose rates remain unchanged, is expected to be temporary. Namibia’s economic growth is projected to slow to 3.1-percent this year due to a decline in the primary industry,and drought conditions.

# Cricket: Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma says the weather is one thing which cannot be controlled. The first Test against the Windies in Trinidad didn’t produce a result after it was hugely interrupted by rain. The second and final Test gets going in Providence today. Bavuma says rain or shine, they want to win the second one to clinch the series:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-99-cents and the euro at 19-rand-82-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-14-cents and Bitcoin trades at 58-thousand-672-dollars-22-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-465-dollars-87-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 80-dollars-53-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….