News 16:00

BULLETIN 4 March 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Richard Shibiri says the manipulation of investigative timelines causes delays
# The Bereng family is frustrated as Thabo Bester’s legal battles continue
# And cycling: PRASA adds extra trains for the Cape Town Cycle Tour

# The head of the police’s Organised Crime Unit, Richard Shibiri, told the Madlanga commission the manipulation of investigative timelines causes cases to stall. He explains delays in obtaining statements prolong investigations, leading to stagnation. Shibiri adds prolonged postponements are unfair to accused, drain state resources, and can result in witnesses losing interest, causing some cases to be withdrawn before reaching court:

# The Bereng family’s anguish continues as Thabo Bester’s legal battles drag on following his 2022 escape from Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein in the Free State. Katlego Bereng’s body was used as a decoy and set alight during the escape. Trial delays have exhausted his family, with his father, Batho Mpholo, calling the process emotionally draining. A final pre-trial sitting is scheduled for 18 March in Bloemfontein, while Bester’s co-accused await confirmation on whether their trial will proceed in July.

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for urgent action to reduce Africa’s energy gap. Delivering the keynote at the Africa Energy Indaba in Cape Town, Ramaphosa said the continent must build an integrated, reliable energy system aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063. He stressed productive energy access is key to industrial growth, job creation and regional integration, enabling African economies to enhance resources quality and compete globally:

# Cycling: The Passenger Rail Agency in the Western Cape will add extra trains for Sunday’s Cape Town Cycle Tour to help cyclists and spectators avoid road closures and traffic. Park-and-ride will be available at key stations, and security will be heightened. PRASA’s Raymond Maseko encouraged riders and fans to leave their cars at home, arrive early, and plan their journeys for a safe and hassle-free race day.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-39-cents and the euro at 19-rand-7-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-91-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-673-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-176-dollars-51-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-30-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Road Traffic Management Corporation says with the upcoming Easter weekend, motorists are urged to make sure their vehicles and driving licences are up to date. It says 700-thousand-399 vehicle licence discs will expire at the end of this month. RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane says in addition, more than 200-thousand driving licence cards are also due for renewal:

Stay tuned for more news………….