News 16:00

BULLETIN 26 June 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The NPA freezes a property of 6.5-million-rand belonging to a suspended judge
# Leaders of the Southern African Customs Union reaffirm their commitment to regional integration
# And rugby: The Stormers’ Rugby Institute secures top schoolboy talent for 2027

# The National Prosecuting Authority has secured a preservation order freezing a luxury home in North West belonging to suspended Judge Portia Phahlane from the High Court in Pretoria. The property worth 6.5-million-rand is situated in the Xanadu Eco Estate in Hartbeespoort. The Asset Forfeiture Unit alleges it was acquired using proceeds of corruption linked to the International Pentecost Holiness Church’s succession dispute. Phahlane, her son Kagiso, church leader Mike Sandlana and spokesperson Vusi Ndala face charges including corruption and money laundering. She is out on 50-thousand-rand bail.

# The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court has postponed the Medicare24-tender corruption case to 28 August. Defence lawyers have requested access to controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s plea agreement and additional case information. Investigating Directorate Against Corruption spokesperson Henry Mamothame says the delay will allow the state to finalise the docket, disclose evidence, and consider possible new arrests and additional charges, depending on Wednesday’s court outcome:

# The Madlanga commission was briefly adjourned after businessman Tumelo Nku’s legal representative, Piet du Plessis, and evidence leader Tebogo Mosikidi requested a stand-down. The break was to allow Nku to prepare a supplementary statement addressing issues that emerged during his testimony. The additional statement is expected to clarify aspects of the evidence already presented before proceedings resume. Nku has been implicated in the Aeroton drug bust in Gauteng.

# Trade, Industry and Competition minister Parks Tau says the Southern African Customs Union remains the world’s oldest functioning customs union and a key driver of regional integration. Ministers from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Namibia are meeting to review the SACU Strategic Plan, trade modernisation and economic cooperation. Tau says member states remain committed to strengthening customs controls, combating illicit trade and advancing shared policies for economic growth:

# Rugby: The Stormers’ Rugby Institute based at the Academy of Sport in Stellenbosch announced that 12 talented schools players have been recruited as part of its intake for 2027. Among the top stars are Oakdale Agricultural School’s loose forward, Jacobus de Villiers – brother of Stormers flank Paul de Villiers – and Grey College fullback Lamla Mgedezi. Paul Roos’s captain and centre, Tiaan Basson, and Wynberg Boys flyhalf Achmat Behardien will also take the first steps of their professional journey under the watchful eye of Jacques Hanekom at the institute.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-45-cents and the euro at 18-rand-76-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-74-cents and Bitcoin trades at 59-thousand-665-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-47-dollars-40-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-1-cent a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….