News 16:00

BULLETIN 20 September 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# OUTA welcomes the extradition of the fugitive Michael Lomas in the Kusile fraud case
# The Limpopo Transport Department warns of heavy traffic this weekend
# And rugby: Werner Kok hopes to make an impact at Ulster

# OUTA has praised the extradition of former Eskom contractor Michael Lomas, linked to the 745-million-rand Kusile fraud case. Extradited by Interpol, he will face charges alongside former Eskom managers and others accused. Arrested in the UK in 2021, Lomas was granted 1.7-million-rand bail and an additional 4.3-million-rand surety. OUTA’s Rudie Heyneke told eNCA accountability must prevail:

# The Limpopo Transport Department warns of increased traffic from today through the weekend due to school holidays. Spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene says law enforcement will be deployed along major routes to ensure safety, enforcing a zero-tolerance policy on reckless driving. She has urged motorists to check vehicle safety, wear seatbelts, and enhance responsible driving to ensure everyone arrives alive:

# Afriforesight has stressed the importance of maintaining South Africa’s platinum group metals sector, which contributes over 40-percent of mining earnings. Speaking at a webinar, Afriforesight’s Nathan Musson warned of risks from declining capital investment. Musson noted sustained demand from the automotive industry, hydrogen fuel technology, and global industrial growth. He said the sectors play a role in emission reduction and economic stability amidst geopolitical tensions.

# Rugby: The United Rugby Championship kicks off this weekend with six games. One of those matches will see Ulster hosting Glasgow Warriors. Ulster has a new South African in their squad – Werner Kok. The Sharks winger and former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year joined the Irish province on a two-year deal. The 31-year-old says he hopes to make an impact at his new club:

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-51-cents and the euro at 19-rand-56-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-32-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-377-dollars-68-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-615-dollars-96-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-46-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A woman from Bournemouth was left shocked at being fined almost 12-thousand-rand for illegal dumping. Isabelle Pepin left an IKEA cabinet outside her home for passers-by to take. After five days a council officer told her there was a problem with it being outside, so she moved it back inside and disposed of it. Three weeks later she was presented with a fine, which she is now challenging. Pepin said she is getting overwhelming support from the community. The practice is seen as a good way to recycle useful, unwanted items.

Stay tuned for more news………….