News 18:00

BULLETIN 23 April 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# POPCRU says Puleng Dimpane’s appointment will help restore confidence in the South African Police Service
# Matipandile Sotheni’s bail hearing is postponed to May in the murder case of Witness D
# And, in motorsport: President Cyril Ramaphosa will accompany Minister Gayton McKenzie to a Formula One race to boost South Africa’s hosting bid

# The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union says the appointment of Puleng Dimpane as acting National Police Commissioner is a timely step to stabilise leadership and restore confidence in the police. Her appointment follows the suspension of Fannie Masemola, pending criminal charges in connection with a healthcare tender linked to notorious tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. POPCRU’s Richard Mamabolo says they will work with Dimpane to build a professional, accountable, and community-focused police service:

# The bail application of murder accused, former SAPS Special Task Force member, Matipandile Sotheni, has been postponed to 18 May 2026 in the Brakpan Regional Court. Sotheni is accused of the murder of whistleblower Marius van der Merwe, also referred to as “Witness D”, a key witness at the Madlanga Commission. Police allege Sotheni was the triggerman in a drive-by shooting that killed Van der Merwe. He faces charges of premeditated murder, conspiracy to murder, attempted murder, and illegal possession of ammunition regarding the December 2025 killing.

# The Boksburg Magistrate’s Court in Gauteng has reserved judgment in the bail application of suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and the metro’s city manager Kagiso Lerutla to Tuesday. They face charges of fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice linked to a 2019 case involving alleged impersonation in court. The state opposed bail, citing witness interference risks, while the defence argued the claims were unsubstantiated. The pair remain in custody until the ruling.

# Motorsport: Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, says president Cyril Ramaphosa will accompany him to a Formula One Grand Prix this year while South Africa is working to bring F1 back to Africa for the first time in over 30-years. The Kyalami circuit is the favourite to host a race and Cape Town is also interested. McKenzie says they are putting together a bid F1 cannot refuse:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-57-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-40-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-37-cents and Bitcoin trades at 78-thousand-087-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-710-dollars-56-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 99-dollars-48-cents a barrel.

# And finally, the makers of the very popular Chuckles chocolate malted puffs loved by thousands of South Africans, Beyers Chocolate, has gone into liquidation following a fallout with Woolworths, ending a business relationship of more than 30 years. The dispute began when Beyers acquired a second factory to supply other retailers like Checkers and Pick n Pay. Woolworths viewed this as a breach of trust and an exclusivity agreement, leading them to drastically reduce orders — cutting revenue by approximately 200-million-rand. Beyers has expressed openness to re-engage with potential buyers under suitable terms.

Stay tuned for more news………….