News 18:00

BULLETIN 31 August 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The commission chairperson, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga terms Lieutenant-Colonel Deena Govender’s transaction of nearly 300-hundred-thousand-rand as nonsensical
# The Eskom CFO Calib Cassim to retire in 2027
# And, Team SA will be represented by 65 athletes at the 2027 Special Olympics World Games

# Madlanga Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga has questioned KwaZulu-Natal Hawks officer Lieutenant-Colonel Deena Govender over a 300-thousand-rand cash transaction involving accountant Kassie Shamal. Madlanga questioned why the money was moved through different parties instead of being deposited directly into a bank account. Govender said Shamal, a family friend, assisted him with a property transaction. Madlanga described the explanation as nonsensical, stating there is more to the transaction:

Meanwhlie, the Madlanga Commission evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson has questioned KwaZulu-Natal Hawks officer Deenadayalan “Deena” Govender over cash transactions involving accountant Kassie Shamal. Chaskalson questioned why Govender allegedly handed Shamal about 300-thousand-rand in cash, before a third-party client transferred the money into Govender’s bank account. Chaskalson told the Commission that the circumstances surrounding the transaction raised concerns of possible illicit movement of funds:

# Eskom Group Chief Financial Officer Calib Cassim will retire from his position in the 2027 financial year, after 24 years of service to the power utility. Cassim also served as acting Group Chief Executive for one year. Eskom’s Board has begun a succession process to ensure a smooth leadership transition, with the utility aiming to appoint the new Group CFO before the end of 2026. Eskom has thanked Cassim for his contribution.

# Prime minister Giorgia Meloni is set to become Italy’s longest-serving leader since World War Two, marking an unusual period of political stability. Her government has lasted nearly four years in a country known for frequent changes of administration. Meloni has benefited from a disciplined coalition and falling unemployment, while investors have welcomed her focus on fiscal stability. But analysts warn the achievement may prove short-lived. Her government faces criticism over slow growth and stalled reforms, while a rising far-right party could complicate her position ahead of 2027’s election.

# Special Olympics: Sixty-five athletes will represent South Africa at next year’s Special Olympics World Games in Santiago, Chile. The team was selected after the weekend’s National Summer Games in Rustenburg, North West, attended by over 800 athletes. Team SA won 49 medals at the 2023 World Summer Games in Berlin. Deputy minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Letsike, says the team will proudly represent the country:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-14-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-73-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-86-cents and Bitcoin trades at 77-thousand-902-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-420-dollars-90-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 93-dollars-5-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….