News 16:00

BULLETIN 28 November 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The NPA secures a key preservation order against illegal mining in North West
# The alleged diamond scheme fraudster Louis Liebenberg abandons his bail application again
# And cricket: Marco Jansen takes seven wickets to dismantle Sri Lanka for just 42

# The High Court in Mahikeng, North West, has granted the National Prosecuting Authority a preservation order for stolen platinum group materials worth 350-million-rand and a white Mercedes-Benz Vito, following an investigation into illegal mining. The materials were seized after a probe initiated this month, which stemmed from a tip-off by Impala Platinum Mine. The NPA’s Sivenathi Gunya says the five accused, released on bail, face charges related to illegal mining. Gunya adds their court case has been postponed to January.

# Alleged diamond scheme fraudster Louis Liebenberg has abandoned his bail bid for a second time in the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court in Gauteng. He was arrested last month with nine others, including his wife, Dezzi. Liebenberg faces charges of racketeering, fraud, and money laundering linked to a four-billion-rand investment scam. Most of his co-accused secured bail, but Dezzi was denied. Liebenberg, citing illness, withdrew his application during cross-examination. The case was postponed to the fourth of February for further investigation.

# Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has denied the Auditor-General’s findings of irregular CEO appointments at Chris Hani Baragwanath, Steve Biko, and George Mukhari hospitals. The A-G cited non-compliance with Public Service Regulations, including unqualified candidates lacking senior management experience. Recommendations urge oversight and compliance. The DA’s Gauteng spokesperson for Health, Jack Bloom, says the party plans to meet the A-G to push for competent hospital management:

# The Governing Body Foundation has raised concerns about the rising of violence in schools. Recent crime statistics show that between April and September, schools saw 25 murders, 197 rapes, and 577 cases of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Among these, 104 learners were raped by peers, while teachers were perpetrators in 12 cases. CEO Anthea Cereseto warns of under-reporting because of fear. Education experts call for stricter vetting, social worker support, and visible law enforcement to combat this trend in schools.

# Cricket: South Africa’s quick bowlers dismantled Sri Lanka for just 42 runs on the second afternoon at Kingsmead in Durban. Marco Jansen was the big destroyer, taking seven wickets for just 13 runs in seven overs. He was ably assisted by Gerald Coetzee, who took two wickets, while Kagiso Rabada claimed the other one. This gives South Africa a healthy first-innings lead of 149 runs after captain Temba Bavuma salvaged the hosts with a defiant stand of 70 runs to take them to 191.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-14-cents and the euro at 19-rand-14-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-97-cents and Bitcoin trades at 95-thousand-447-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-646-dollars-36-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-72-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….