News 18:00

BULLETIN NEWS AGENCY 15 August 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ace Magashule’s former PA Moroadi Cholota is granted bail in the asbestos corruption case
# Cricket: The SA20 is starting to attract the big guns
# And, Chidimma Adetshina joins Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 after withdrawing from Miss SA

# Former personal assistant to former Free State premier Ace Magashule, Moroadi Cholota, has been granted two-thousand-500-rand bail by the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court. The court ruled that the state lacked sufficient evidence to prove she was a flight risk. Cholota, alongside Magashule and several officials, faces fraud and corruption charges related to a 255-million-rand asbestos tender. Initially agreeing to serve as a state witness, Cholota later refused to cooperate. She was extradited from the US last week after four months in custody.

# EFF leader Julius Malema has vowed unwavering commitment to the party, declaring he will be buried with the EFF flag. This follows the resignations of deputy president Floyd Shivambu and Mzwanele Manyi, joining Jacob Zuma’s MK Party. Malema assured members that the party’s headquarters in Johannesburg will remain open and operational. Briefing the media, Malema confirmed that no deputy president replacement will be made before the December conference: 

# The Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy’s latest baseline report reveals that global elections and sluggish economic growth have influenced the agricultural outlook for 2024 to 2033. Senior Economist Shannon Bold says slow world growth and inflation impact agriculture, but South Africa’s sector remains resilient. The report predicts challenges for field crops and livestock. At the same time it highlights opportunities in international markets and technological advancements for sustained growth.

# Cricket: The SA20 is gaining more and more star players, with Johannesburg-born New Zealand batter Devon Conway committing to next year’s third season. This follows England captain Ben Stokes’s announcement he will join M-I Cape Town next year. Conway has reportedly signed a casual agreement with New Zealand Cricket, similar to that of captain Kane Williamson, that would ensure he could take up a SA20 deal. ESPNcricinfo reports he is set to play for Joburg Super Kings, while Williamson joined Durban’s Super Giants.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-3-cents and the euro at 19-rand-78-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-15-cents and Bitcoin trades at 59-thousand-391-dollars-79-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-446-dollars-10-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 80-dollars-55-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Former Miss South Africa finalist Chidimma Adetshina has accepted an invitation to compete in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant. Adetshina withdrew from Miss South Africa just days before Mia le Roux was crowned, and will now represent her father’s home country at the 31st of August final. Home Affairs is currently investigating her mother for alleged identity theft. Adetshina expressed her excitement about her new role and upcoming journey:

Stay tuned for more news………….