News 17:00

BULLETIN 15 November 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Bail is revoked for a former municial financial offficial who failed to appear in court in connection with the VBS Bank scandal
# The DA calls for a probe after a suspected food poisoning case at a primary school in Limpopo
# And cricket: The Proteas and India face off in the final T20 at the Wanderers

# Bail of 50-thousand-rand has been revoked for former chief financial official of Fetakgomo-Greater Tubatse Local Municipality, in Limpopo, Tumelo Ratau. He handed himself over to the police on Monday after failing to appear in the High Court in Pretoria last week. Ratau faces corruption charges for approving a 230-million-rand investment in VBS Mutual Bank, which was never repaid. His co-accused, former municipal manager Nkhono Jimmy Mohlala, reached a plea deal with the state, receiving a five-year suspended sentence and a 100-thousand-rand fine.

# The DA in Limpopo is urging Education MEC, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya to urgently address unsafe kitchens in schools. This follows after a case of suspected food poisoning at Dzumeri Primary in Giyani. Dozens of learners were hospitalised following a school nutrition programme meal. A 2023/24 Department of Labour report found 100-percent of sampled school kitchens unsafe. The DA’s Jacques Smalle is calling for immediate action to ensure health standards are met:

# Over 1.3-million Gauteng residents remain without adequate housing due to 45 blocked projects by the provincial Department of Human Settlements. Launched as far back as 2008, these projects, valued at over six-billion-rand, suffer from halted progress, poor contractor performance, and a lack of legal documentation following a fire. The DA calls for a forensic audit and a project recovery plan, citing the need for timely, effective solutions for Gauteng’s neglected housing requirements.

# Cricket: South Africa and India face off in the fourth and final T20 at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. The visitors are leading the series 2-1 after winning the first encounter in Durban and the third one in Centurion, while the hosts were victorious in the second match in Gqeberha. After the series, the Proteas will play two Tests at home against Sri Lanka before welcoming Pakistan for three T20s, three one-day games and two Tests. India flies to Australia for a five-match Test series.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-16-cents and the euro at 19-rand-22-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-3-cents and Bitcoin trades at 89-thousand-856-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-574-dollars-46-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-17-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The National Sea Rescue Institute is urging caution as the full moon spring tide peaks today. This may result in stronger sea currents, posing hazards for bathers, boaters, paddlers, sailors, and anglers. The institute warns that coastal hiking trails could be cut off during high tide, and waves may engulf certain fishing spots. NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon also advised inland water users to exercise caution:

Stay tuned for more news………….