News 16:00

BULLETIN 21 August 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The NPA withdraws charges against Dumisani Khumalo and his co-accused
# Rugby: The Rea Vaya will run special bus services for the Springboks and All Blacks’ clash
# And Meghan Markle could return to acting once she is back in the United Kingdom

# The National Prosecuting Authority has withdrawn fraud and corruption charges against Police Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, Brigadier Dineo Mokwele and their co-accused in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court. The decision follows a review by National Director of Public Prosecutions Andy Mothibi after the Madlanga commission heard the Investigating Directorate against Corruption’s investigation was incomplete and Mokwele was qualified for her technical support role. Khumalo welcomed the withdrawal:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says increased infrastructure investment is key to growing the economies of South Africa and Zimbabwe and expanding bilateral trade. Addressing the fourth South Africa-Zimbabwe bi-national commission in Pretoria, Ramaphosa called for joint investment in roads, bridges, dams, airports, schools and health facilities, and stronger cooperation in mining, energy, water and agriculture, and job creation. He highlights clean energy, water-sharing initiatives and increased agricultural production to strengthen food security:

Moving abroad:

# Five people are missing after a fire destroyed a building in the Swiss Alpine town of Thusis. The blaze broke out shortly after midnight in a building housing a restaurant and apartments. Eight people were injured, including two who are in serious condition, while 14 others managed to escape. Around 100 firefighters were deployed, and rescue teams are still searching the building. Police say the fire caused the stairwell to collapse, forcing crews to use a crane to access the roof. Authorities and prosecutors are investigating the cause.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-1-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-71-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-84-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-639-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-577-dollars-42-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 95-dollars-35-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, could reportedly return to acting if she and Prince Harry move back to Britain. Meghan stepped away from acting after marrying Harry in 2018, having become internationally known for her role as Rachel Zane in the legal drama Suits. She has since returned to the screen in her Netflix lifestyle series, but has not taken on another acting role. Reports suggest she could consider a return if the couple spends more time in Britain, although no acting project has been confirmed.

Stay tuned for more news………….