News 17:00

BULLETIN 26 November 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala confirms shareholding in Medicare as SAPS tender scrutiny deepens
# The National Lottery Commission hosts an Indaba on digitisation and funding transparency
# And Rugby: There are no plans to renew England coach Steve Borthwick’s contract after 2027

# Controversial businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala today testified from the Kgoši Mampuru Prison, and confirmed to Parliament’s ad hoc committee that Tshwane Medicare 24 was awarded the SAPS medical contract while he was still listed as director. He also admitted that he failed to notifying the SAPS of his resignation as director:

# Activists and Citizens Forum is calling for the immediate arrest of forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan. This after former acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane said O’Sullivan sent him a threatening message after a TV interview. Police minister Senzo Mchunu’s chief of staff, Cedrick Nkabinde, also claimed he received an intimidating message from O’Sullivan. The forum’s Dennis Bloem says O’Sullivan has been bullying and intimidating people for too long:

# The National Lottery Commission, alongside the Trade, Industry and Competition Department, is hosting a two-day national indaba in Boksburg. Commissioner Jodi Scholtz says the event focuses on effective regulation, funding through digitisation, and social dialogues. The indaba aims to restore trust, improve transparency, and support non-profits. She confirmed to SABC News that an online grant system has been launched to curb fraud, and assist organisations in arts, sports, and charities:

# Parts of Thailand are battling record floods, which have killed at least 33 people while military ships and helicopters have been deployed to support relief efforts. Medical teams on an aircraft carrier will convert it into a floating hospital if required. Ten provinces across the south were hit over the past week, with the business hub of Hat Yai recording its heaviest rainfall in 300 years – 335 millimetre within a single day. Heavy seasonal rain is common in the area, but this year has seen record flood levels.

# Rugby: Rugby Football Union CEO, Bill Sweeney, says there are no immediate plans to renew England’s coach, Steve Borthwick’s contract, which runs out after the 2027 World Cup. He was appointed in December 2022 and has overseen the team’s turnaround, climbing from seventh to third in the world rankings this year. England is currently on an 11-match winning streak. Sweeney maintains they back Borthwick’s coaching group and they are happy with the style of play he is developing and the squad depth.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-14-cents and the euro at 19-rand-84-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-65-cents and Bitcoin trades at 86-thousand-635-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-159-dollars-52-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 61-dollars-73-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….