News 18:00

BULLETIN 23 March 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Eugene de Kock denies involvement in the Cradock Four murders
# AfriForum wins the court battle for access to Eskom coal contracts
# And, Fannie Nkosi alleges Shadrack Sibiya instructed a middleman role for him with Vusimuzi Matlala

# Former Vlakplaas commander Eugene de Kock has refuted claims linking him to the Cradock Four murders while testifying at the High Court in Gqeberha. The inquiry examines the 1985 killings of Sicelo Mhlauli, Matthew Goniwe, Fort Calata and Sparrow Mkhonto after a meeting in the city. Sentenced to life imprisonment for apartheid-era crimes, he is on parole after serving 20-years. During cross examination by his lawyer Juan Schoeman, the 77-year-old testified instructions were received at Vlakplaas through a telephone, but he denied that they ever classified the Cradock Four as “terrorists”.

# AfriForum has secured a final legal victory compelling Eskom to disclose its coal, diesel and electricity supply contracts. The Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein dismissed Eskom’s bid to overturn a 2024 ruling, with costs. Eskom must now provide the requested records. AfriForum’s Morné Mostert says the decision will enable scrutiny of procurement processes and promote transparency in how public funds are spent:

# SAPS Gauteng Organised Crime Unit officer Fannie Nkosi has told the Madlanga Commission that suspended deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya instructed him to act as a middleman with businessman Vusimuzi Matlala. Nkosi says he facilitated communication between the two, including arranging meetings. He confirmed not being present in the meetings however Matlala suggested influence in promotions from senior police leadership:

# The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa says it is relieved after the bodies of five mineworkers killed in a mudslide at Ekapa Minerals Mine in Kimberley, Northern Cape have been recovered. The miners were trapped 890 metres underground since February 17. The last two bodies were brought to the surface on Monday morning. The first body was found last Monday and the other two on Sunday.. Numsa’ official’s Lerato Mohatlane says the focus now shifts to supporting families, unpaid wages, and ongoing legal processes while investigations continue.

# Cricket: Viewer figures of the T20 Cricket World Cup final smashed digital streaming records with 72.5- million peak users at the same time in India alone. ICC Chief Executive Officer Sanjog Gupta says the event was a showcase of just how much the sport is loved in cricket’s most passionate market. Cricket commands an unrivalled following in the world’s most populous country with 1.4-billion people. India as co‑hosts and pre‑tournament favourites, lifted the T20 World Cup for a record third time in the 8 March match, sweeping aside New Zealand by 96 runs.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-82-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-51-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-56-cents and Bitcoin trades at 71-thousand-618-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-465-dollars-51-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 96-dollars-89-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….