News 17:00

BULLETIN 30 July 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The NPA withdraws charges against a man accused of murdering a Johannesburg teen
# Two more arrests are made in the 2023 murder of a DA councillor in KwaZulu-Natal
# And cricket: India withdraws from the World Championship of Legends semifinal against Pakistan

# The National Prosecuting Authority has withdrawn murder charges against Mduduzi Mnisi, accused of killing Johannesburg teenagter Likhona Fose. New evidence showed he was not the last person seen with the 14-year-old. Her mutilated body was found in a field near her Durban Deep home. The NPA’s Phindi Mjonondwane says phone records placed Mnisi in Daveyton the day Likhona went missing, his alibi was verified, and additional witness statements supported his claims:

# The KwaZulu-Natal political killings task team have arrested two more people in connection with the 2023 murder of DA councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu. They are a 56-year-old chief and the 26-year-old alleged mastermind who coordinated the hit from prison. Ndlovu was shot and killed at his home in the Mpophomeni area in Howick. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says the duo will appear in the local Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, joining two others:

# Electricity and Energy minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says no energy transition will be sustainable without reforming global energy finance. Speaking at the G20 Energy Transition Working Group in Sun City, North West, he called for a technology-inclusive approach tailored to national energy mixes and infrastructure readiness. Ramokgopa called for expanded investment, innovation, and cooperation on tech development, carbon storage, and capacity building to ensure flexible, practical transition pathways for all:

# The City of Cape Town says illegal fishing at Rosendal and Sonstraal Dams in Durbanville is endangering local wildlife and damaging sensitive ecosystems. This follows distressing incidents, including a dead cormorant entangled in fishing line. Despite clear signage and patrols, people continue to fish illegally, ignoring rules that protect indigenous species. Mayoral committee member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham, urges residents to report unlawful activity and fish only at designated sites with proper permits.

# Cricket: India has reportedly withdrawn from tomorrow’s semifinal of the World Championship of Legends against Pakistan. This follows after India earlier also refused to play the neighbouring country in the group stage over the latest animosity between the arch enemies. The decision means Pakistan goes through to Saturday’s final at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England. The team awaits the winner of tomorrow’s semifinal between South Africa, led by former Proteas star AB de Villiers, and Australia.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-95-cents and the euro at 20-rand-58-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-87-cents and Bitcoin trades at 117-thousand-513-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-309-dollars-63-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-93-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….