News 17:00

BULLETIN 21 July 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Gupta-linked accused will start their defence in 2026 as a court rejects a discharge request
# Ace Magashule terms the cabinet as a government of national betrayal
# And SA Rugby calls for greater support across all levels of the sport

# The High Court in Johannesburg has dismissed an attempt by several accused in a state capture corruption case to have the charges withdrawn under the Criminal Procedure Act. The case involves former Mineral Resources deputy director-general Joel Raphela, Ronica Ragavan, Pushpaveni Govender, and Gupta-linked companies Optimum Coal Mine and Tegeta Exploration and Resources. They face eleven charges, including fraud, money laundering, and environmental violations. Investigating Directorate Against Corruption spokesperson Henry Mamothame says the matter resumes in May next year, with the defence expected to call witnesses.

# African Congress for Transformation leader, Ace Magashule, says South Africans have lost confidence in president Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration, terming it as a government of national betrayal. Magashule claims the NPA is infiltrated by internal and external forces, preventing action against high-level corruption. Addressing the media, he also defended KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and urged citizens to engage in peaceful marches for justice:

# The African Transformation Movement says those responsible for the George building collapse in the Western Cape must face criminal charges. This follows a damning report revealing negligence, use of poor materials, and ignored safety warnings that led to the deaths of 34 workers. ATM spokesperson Zama Ntshona says the tragedy reflects a culture of impunity in the construction sector and is calling for urgent reforms, tougher safety laws, and full support for the victims’ families:

Moving abroad:

# Pope Leo spoke by phone to the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, about the conflict in Gaza and violence in the West Bank. It was the first official conversation between the two men since Leo’s papacy began. The Vatican says the pope emphasised the urgent need to provide assistance to those most vulnerable. It followed a call on Friday between the pope and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a day after a strike by Israel on Gaza’s only Catholic Church that killed three people.

On to sports news:

# SA Rugby president Mark Alexander has called on the private sector and fans to rally behind all levels of the game. Speaking after the return of the Junior Boks from their Under-20 World Championship victory in Italy, Alexander praised the coaches, players, and staff. He urged equal backing for the Springbok Women team as they prepare for the World Cup in England later this year:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-71-cents and the euro at 20-rand-66-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-85-cents and Bitcoin trades at 118-thousand-253-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-387-dollars-92-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-32-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….