News 18:00

BULLETIN 12 August 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Laurentia Lombaard seeks immunity in the Joslin Smith kidnapping case
# The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption denies an arrest warrant for the police commissioner
# And cricket: Dewald Brevis propels the Proteas to a 53-run victory in the second T20 against Australia

# Former accused turned key state witness in the Joslin Smith trial, Laurentia Lombaard, is seeking immunity from prosecution. Her lawyer, Eben van Tonder, urged the Western Cape High Court to exempt her from punishment, citing her testimony’s role in securing life sentences for Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn. Lombaard revealed Joslin was sold for 20-thousand-rand. Despite discrepancies, Van Tonder argued she testified honestly under difficult circumstances and sacrificed her safety to aid the state’s case. Smith, Appollis and Van Rhyn are appealing their sentences.

# The National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption has reiterated that no warrant of arrest has been issued for national police commissioner Fannie Masemola. Spokesperson Henry Mamothame says recent media reports alleging otherwise, are false. He warns against spreading misinformation, which can damage reputations and mislead the public:

# Gauteng provincial Home Affairs manager, Mamokubung Moroke, has confirmed major damage at the Germiston office, especially at housing administration and immigration services on the first floor. While the client service area with smart IDs and passports was spared when protestors set the building alight, water damage occurred there. Speaking to SABC News, Moroke says birth registration documents were damaged and will require reapplication. She confirmed that mobile service trucks will be deployed at Alberton and Boksburg from tomorrow:

# The DA says Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen’s strong leadership is crucial in safeguarding jobs and boosting South Africa’s agricultural trade amid the 30-percent US tariff challenge. The party says under Steenhuisen’s guidance, new markets for avocados, maize, beef, and other products have opened in Asia and the Middle East. The DA’s Willie Aucamp says recent trade deals on stone fruits with China will provide much-needed support for farmers:

# Cricket: Dewald Brevis starred for South Africa to win the second of three T20s against Australia in Darwin by 53 runs, ending the hosts’ run of nine successive victories. His undefeated 125 off just 56 balls propelled the Proteas to a mammoth 218 for seven. Australia’s run-chase started good, but the wickets kept tumbling and they were dismissed for 165. Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka both took three wickets. The decider will be played in Cairns on Saturday after Australia won the first match.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-67-cents and the euro at 20-rand-58-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-82-cents and Bitcoin trades at 119-thousand-60-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-334-dollars-87-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-1-cent a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….