News 16:00

BULLETIN 7 March 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Eskom implements stage 3 load-shedding as Koeberg’s unit 2 remains offline
# The controversial businessman Sphamandla Mabonga was killed in last night’s shootout in Sandton
# And cricket: Italy hopes a former Canadian captain will help them qualify for the T20 World Cup

# Eskom has announced that stage 3 load-shedding was enforced from 2 pm today until Monday 5 am due to the loss of two-thousand-700-MegaWatts over 14 hours. This follows the unexpected shutdown of Koeberg in Cape Town’s unit 2, leaving the entire nuclear power station offline. Two units from Kusile in Mpumalanga are also affected by coal supply issues. Eskom aims to restore six-thousand-200-MegaWatts by Monday and replenish emergency reserves over the weekend.

# Controversial businessman Sphamandla Mabonga was shot dead in last night’s incident at Solo restaurant in Sandton, Johannesburg. An argument escalated into a gunfight between his bodyguards and security. Two bodyguards also died, while four others people were wounded. Police reports state Mabonga attempted to enter the venue armed before tensions flared. He was declared dead at Morningside Clinic. Mabonga was being investigated for other matters, including assaulting a female journalist and using fraudulent means to purchase cars from a financial institution.

# Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero has given the assurance that the city is ready to host the G20 summit in November. His remarks came during a two-day visit by the national executive to the Gauteng provincial executive council. This follows president Cyril Ramaphosa’s criticism of the city’s poor condition, describing it as an unpleasant environment. Morero reassured Ramaphosa Johannesburg would not disappoint:

# National police commissioner Fannie Masemola says police will not rest until they seize and confiscate all illegal and unlicensed firearms across the length and breadth of the Cape Flats and surrounding areas. Masemola says just this past week alone, the Western Cape anti-gang unit and crime intelligence officials followed up on information and seized 26 illegal and unlicensed firearms in Bellville South and Stikland in Cape Town:

# Cricket: Former Canadian captain John Davison has been appointed coach of Italy’s T20 team in the quest to qualify for next year’s World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. The team is captained by former Australian opener Joe Burns. Italy, hosts the Netherlands, Scotland, Guernsey and Jersey are taking part in die European regional finals in June, with the top-two countries qualifying for the World Cup. Davison says he looks forward to repeating the thrill of qualifying with a diverse and dedicated group of players and staff.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-12-cents and the euro at 19-rand-65-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-39-cents and Bitcoin trades at 89-thousand-144-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-918-dollars-80-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-14-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….