News 18:00

BULLETIN 8 May 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The deputy president slams the delays in the sexual abuse probe of a seven-year-old in Matatiele
# Fikile Mbalula says the ANC machinery in KwaZulu-Natal has been reinforced and reconfigured
# And rugby: Maro Itoje will captain the British and Irish Lions on the tour of Australia

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile has expressed concern over delays in the investigation into the sexual abuse of a seven-year-old girl, Cwecwe, in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape. In his reply to the National Assembly’s oral questions, he confirmed a special police team has been assigned to the case, with about 30 statements already collected. Mashatile says the case remains unresolved months after it was reported, compounding the trauma for the child and her family:

# ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says the party’s leadership structure in KwaZulu-Natal has been reinforced and reconfigured to strengthen its presence in the province. Speaking ahead of the ANC’s provincial task team meeting, he said his office is working with local leaders and stakeholders to improve governance and service delivery. Mbalula told the media some governance issues will be dealt with in future meetings as the party strengthens its presence in the province:

# Staying in KwaZulu-Natal: Transnet National Ports Authority has named five preferred bidders for a 17-billion-rand liquid bulk and green fuel terminal project at Richards Bay’s South Dunes precinct. KZN Oils, Linsen Nambi, Protank, KNGM Engineering, and Bidvest/Mnambith Consortium will lead the 25-year concession. The terminals will handle fuels like diesel, hydrogen, and biofuel, strengthening South Africa’s energy transition. The company says the project ensures global competitiveness, attracts investment, and supports economic growth and job creation through port expansion.

# South Africa’s 2025 wine grape harvest has delivered excellent fruit quality due to mild, dry conditions that enhanced flavour, structure and acidity. The CEO of the industry body SA Wine, Rico Basson, reports a yield of 1.24-million tonnes from over 86-thousand hectares. Basson says this harvest underscores the resilience and commitment of the country’s growers and winemakers to elevate South African wine to greater heights. Celebrating Pinotage’s centenary, he stressed that this vintage strengthens South Africa’s global wine standing amid rising demand for premium, sustainable wines.

# Rugby: Maro Itoje will become the first English captain of the British and Irish Lions since Martin Johnson in 2001. This was announced when the touring squad for Australia was unveiled during a ceremony in London this afternoon. Head coach Andy Farrell included South Africans Duhan van der Merwe and Pierre Schoeman in his squad of 38 players for the tour, consisting of three Tests against the Wallabies and six other matches. Itoje says he realises what the job entails:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-15-cents and the euro at 20-rand-52-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-20-cents and Bitcoin trades at 99-thousand-452-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-351-dollars-82-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-34-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….