News 18:00

BULLETIN 22 June 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Electoral Commission reports close to three-million voter registrations ahead of the local election
# The Madlanga Commission hears about coordinated communication between Mike van Wyk and Julius Mkhwanazi
# And, Soccer: The World Cup betting boom sparks a global regulatory crackdown 

# The Electoral Commission says nearly three-million voter registration transactions were recorded during the weekend ahead of the local government elections on 4 November. The commission’s CEO, Sy Mamabolo, told the media the voters’ roll now stands at about 28.5-million. Mamabolo also announced a second registration weekend in August and confirmed that online registration is now free of data charges to improve access:

# The Madlanga Commission has heard evidence suggesting close coordination between Medicare24 CEO Mike van Wyk and suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi. Evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson presented messages allegedly showing Van Wyk advising on municipal agreements and discussing plans for a specialised unit extending beyond medical emergencies to crime response and drug-bust operations. The commission also heard concerns about sidelining Metro Police Chief Isaac Mapiyeye:

# The DA in Gauteng slams conditions at the Mohlakeng Hostel amid dispute over responsibility between Gauteng Human Settlements MEC Tasneem Motara and the West Rand District Municipality, saying residents are left without basic services, including sanitation, toilets, and refuse collection. The party’s Mervyn Cirota says the provincial government has failed to implement promised upgrades, while only a few hostels benefit from improvements. Cirota called for provision of decent housing:

# SAPS launched a culpable homicide investigation after a state-owned Iveco bus caught fire on the R300 freeway between Stellenbosch Arterial and Kuils River in Cape Town last night. Officers responded to reports of the burning vehicle and found it engulfed in flames. A 40-year-old police sergeant attached to Bishop Lavis SAPS, who was driving the bus, died at the scene after sustaining fatal injuries. Police say the circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.

# Soccer: The 2026 FIFA World Cup has highlighted growing divisions among governments over prediction markets and online wagering. Billions of dollars are expected to be wagered during the tournament, prompting regulators in several countries to tighten restrictions on these platforms. Nations including Spain, India, Indonesia and Brazil have moved to limit access, citing concerns over gambling, financial regulation and market integrity. Industry experts say the rapid growth of prediction markets is forcing governments worldwide to develop clearer rules for the emerging sector. 

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-41-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-76-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-73-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-974-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-189-dollars-68-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-87-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….