News 17:00

BULLETIN 21 July 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Julius Mkhwanazi and his co-accused Witness K are granted bail of five-thousand-rand each
# AfriForum Youth raises concerns over the learner’s licence system
# And: Cape Town allocates 100-million-rand to tackle homelessness

# The suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and his co-accused, known as Witness K, have each been granted five-thousand-rand bail by the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court. The pair face charges including theft, robbery, fraud and corruption linked to the alleged theft of sugilite stones worth nearly 15-million-rand during a purported police raid in Killarney in 2023. Mkhwanazi denies the allegations, claiming Witness K fabricated evidence against him following the breakdown of their relationship.

# AfriForum Youth challenged Transport minister Barbara Creecy to retake the learner’s licence test following a sharp decline in pass rates under the new computerised testing system. The forum’s Hanno Koster says the system unfairly disadvantages candidates through unclear or ambiguous questions. Koster calls for an independent investigation into the low pass rates and updated study material to ensure the testing process is fair, transparent, and accessible to all applicants:

# The City of Cape Town allocated nearly 100-million-rand to support people sleeping rough and expand shelter accommodation. Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham, says the funding includes 87-million-rand for safe spaces, outreach programmes, and winter support programme opportunities. She says a further 10.1-million-rand will fund five accommodation projects. She adds the investment will connect vulnerable residents with shelter, healthcare and opportunities to rebuild their lives:

# India has summoned a senior Russian diplomat ‌after a missile strike killed four Indians on a Black Sea cargo ship leaving a port in Ukraine. The Golden Leo was hit by three cruise missiles on Sunday, killing the Indians and six others. India’s Ministry of External Affairs asked Russia’s chargé d’affaires to convey India’s strong concerns and tell them the targeting of commercial shipping and the resulting loss of civilian lives was unacceptable. India says such attacks undermine ⁠the safety, security, and stability of international maritime commerce.

# Rugby: Les Kiss’ tenure as Wallabies coach started on a low after Australia lost two of three Nations Championship Tests. He took over from Joe Schmidt after the mid-year Tests. The Wallabies lost at home to Ireland and France before beating Italy 57-10. They are currently eighth in the world rankings. Kiss coached the Queensland Reds since 2024 after earlier stints with teams such as the Bulls and the Stormers, Ireland and Ulster. His first job with the Wallabies is two Tests against Japan next month.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-45-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-78-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-2-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-491-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-58-dollars-97-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 88-dollars-76-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….