News 16:00

BULLETIN 25 June 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA criticises Matlala’s plea deal and warns against soft justice
# The Gauteng joint operational and intelligence structure is ready for the June 30 protests
# And soccer: Ivory Coast hopes to become the lowest-ranked nation ever to reach the World Cup playoffs

# The DA has condemned the National Prosecuting Authority’s plea agreement with businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, calling it a betrayal of accountability. During his appearance at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, the state and defence agreed to a 15-year sentence, with seven years suspended, for fraud, corruption and money laundering linked to a 228-million-rand Medicare24 police tender. The DA’s spokesperson on Justice, Glynnis Breytenbach, says South Africans deserve justice, not deals. She warns the agreement risks repeating past failures where corruption-accused avoided meaningful consequences.

# The Gauteng joint operational and intelligence structure says it is fully prepared for Tuesday’s planned demonstrations. The structure has activated an integrated operational plan involving law enforcement agencies, Home Affairs and community stakeholders. Police spokesperson Brenda Muridili says officials will protect the right to peaceful protest while acting against violence, intimidation and criminal activity. She warns temporary traffic disruptions may occur:

# Union federation Cosatu calls on South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Namibia to review their revenue-sharing formula. South Africa will host the Southern Africa Customs Union’s summit of heads of state and government in Cape Town tomorrow. They will deliberate on key issues affecting regional economic integration, industrial development and trade cooperation. Cosatu’s Zanele Sabela says countries apply a uniform tariff and trade rules to goods imported from outside the region:

# Soccer: Ivory Coast can qualify for the World Cup knockouts for the first time tonight when they face Curacao in their final Group E encounter in Philadelphia in the US. The African team is currently second in the group behind Germany, who has already qualified for the round of 32. Ivory Coast beat Ecuador, but lost to the Germans. Curacao suffered a 7-1 defeat to Germany earlier and drew against Ecuador. Ivory Coast hopes to become the lowest-ranked nation in history to reach the next round.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-57-cents and the euro at 18-rand-79-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-80-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-95-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-985-dollars-40-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-39-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Tourism minister Patricia de Lille says passengers on Air Europa’s inaugural direct flight from Madrid to Gauteng have experienced the smart visitor information Centre at OR Tambo International Airport. She addressed the National Council of Provinces and emphasised the paperless platform showcases attractions across all nine provinces. De Lille says the initiative supports tourism growth and aligns with government’s strategy to expand direct international connectivity. She also describes the launch as a vote of confidence in South Africa’s growing tourism sector.

Stay tuned for more news………….