eNCA News Bite | Matlala trial photos rejected, inflation hits 5% and Broos stays | 22 July 2026

[00:00:00][music] >> It's the 22nd of July and this is your news bite brought to you by enca.com.

[00:00:07]I'm Asanda [music] Bura and in your news today, photos take center stage at the Matlala trial. [music] Is a second interest rate hike on the cards? And a contract extension seems to be on the cards for Hugo Broos.

[00:00:23]Photographs became central to arguments on Wednesday in the attempted murder trial of Vusi Msi Cat Matlala and his four co-accused in the South Gauteng High Court. An attempt by the defense to introduce still photographs taken by the lawyer for accused two, Nardus Grovéar, has been shot down by the court. Grovéar wanted to use the photos in his cross-examination of state witness Bethuel Thulare, but the state shot it down because the photos were taken four years after the incident and had not been authenticated.

[00:00:55]>> I'm helping the state. They were unable to show the video. So, unfortunately, the evidence set before your lordship hasn't been properly placed in context in relation to the scene. So, I'm merely making it easier. These photographs were taken by myself at 6:00 this morning on the way to court.

[00:01:15]>> Is this the only witness in this case?

[00:01:17]>> Mr. Grovéar, what I think the cause of complaint on the side of the state was that yesterday she actually wanted to set the scene and provide perspective to the court relating to the scene of crime.

[00:01:33]And when that effort was being made, it was vigorously shot down by the defense.

[00:01:40]Now, today the defense is producing a photograph and Mr. Roux, in my view, is quite correct to raise an objection relating to this particular document because we don't know who the author We don't have the evidence of that individual. We don't know what it's meant to depict. And if the court allows that to happen, then I suggest what we should perhaps maybe do is just allow the state to lead the video evidence.

[00:02:12]>> Meanwhile, over at the Midlange Commission, IDAC head advocate Andrea Johnson is back in the hot seat. She's admitted the directorate requested a section 27 referral from member of parliament Fadil Adams against crime intelligence head Dumisani Kumalo after initially denying it during questioning.

[00:02:30]The referral allows anyone to directly report corruption and other high-level crimes to the head of IDAC. Let's listen to the commission chair checking if Johnson understands that that section 27 affidavit contains factual conclusions.

[00:02:45]>> Factual conclusion after factual conclusion.

[00:02:51]Advocate Johnson can never give you the facts that undergird those factual conclusions. All of the things you are addressing now are themselves factual conclusions. Do you understand what I'm saying?

[00:03:10]Do you understand what I'm saying?

[00:03:11]>> If if you could just take >> Those are factual conclusions. Let me give you Let Let me give you agree. Do you agree?

[00:03:18]>> I understand.

[00:03:18]>> Those are factual Do you agree?

[00:03:21]>> I agree.

[00:03:22]>> Consumer price inflation has climbed to its highest level in 2 years. Tell us something we don't know. Stats SA has revealed that annual inflation accelerated to reach 5% in June, up from 4.5% in May, the first time since June of 2024 that inflation has reached that 5% mark. The increase has been driven by higher transport costs as a result of the Middle East war. Housing and utilities, as well as insurance and financial services, also contributed.

[00:03:51]The latest figure comes just ahead of the South African Reserve Bank's interest rate decision on Thursday.

[00:03:57]Here's Standard Bank's Elna Moolman.

[00:03:59]>> Consumer inflation increased significantly in June to 5% on a year-on-year basis from 4.5% in May.

[00:04:05]This was still largely reflective of the direct impact of the Iran war with fuel prices rising significantly and various components of the public transport category of the inflation basket also rising quite significantly. This is a dilemma for the Reserve Bank given that inflation is well above its 3% inflation target and given that inflation is likely to continue exceeding its inflation target in the coming months.

[00:04:29]We therefore just the expect the MPC to be quite divided at this week's meeting.

[00:04:34]It may very well then decide to hike interest rates [clears throat] further, but this should be the peak in their hiking cycle and we still think that as soon as the war is over and oil prices sustainably lower, the Reserve Bank should start unwinding these rate hikes and cut rates even further to a terminal rate of 6%.

[00:04:54]>> Meanwhile, those in the property sector concerned about the potential second interest rate hike this year, the chair of Sea Property Group has made an urgent call for the Reserve Bank not to raise the interest rates on Thursday. He says while the inflation spike is temporary, higher interest rates have had a more lasting impact on the economy and property market. Here's independent property economist John Lewis.

[00:05:17]>> I expect it to be the last one, but a lot depends on it. It's a hazardous prediction to make now. A lot depends on where this conflict in in Iran goes.

[00:05:26]Um, but if you get two 25 basis point hikes and it stops there, it's not it's not severe financial pain. Yes, the non-performing loans of banks would probably rise mildly, I would guess and and demand would slow down. Typically, aspirant first-time buyers are credit sent credit driven or credit dependent and many even if they could afford two interest rates hikes, would possibly just hold hold off until the hiking cycle looks like it is past. So, it does dampen sentiment. It does give cause aspirant buyers a portion of them to do a wait-and-see. And and you'd expect some slowing in volumes in and slowing in demand.

[00:06:08]>> Triple murder accused Ndodana Chuma has withdrawn his bail application as investigations into his case continue both in South Africa and the UK. Chuma's facing extradition as well as charges related to the possession of an unlicensed firearm. The British Zimbabwean national is wanted in the United Kingdom in connection with the murders of his wife and two daughters.

[00:06:30]Here's his lawyer, Crispin Muchingura.

[00:06:33]>> We have indicated to the state that for now, we are not applying for bail.

[00:06:40]We have also spoken to the state about the status of the accused person and we have agreed for now for the date of the 27th so that we can assess our situation, your worship.

[00:06:55]>> United States war in Iran has cost 37.5 billion dollars so far, up by 8 million dollars since the last estimate back in May. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told the Senate Appropriations Committee it was urgent that lawmakers approve another 87 billion dollars in congressional funding for the Pentagon with 67 billion dollars of that money destined for operations in the Middle East where tit-for-tat bombings with Iran have resumed. Democratic senators taking the opportunity to point out that while the cost of this war reaches unprecedented levels, ordinary Americans are struggling with the cost of living crisis worsened by increasing price of fuel and other goods as a result of this war. Let's listen to Senator Gary Peters' take on Hexed.

[00:07:45]>> The Strait of Hormuz is still closed.

[00:07:48]Reminding everybody it was open before the war.

[00:07:52]Prices were lower for everybody until the war and it still remains closed. And of course tragically people, service members, our war fighters who we care deeply about are still dying. So what's different? Mr. Hexed, so Secretary Hexed.

[00:08:06]>> I think your characterization of this incredible effort as a failure is reckless.

[00:08:10]Uh and I think it's irresponsible and I think it smears the sacrifice of the troops that are out there making on behalf of the American people to ensure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon.

[00:08:19]Shame on you and others who call this a quagmire and a failure and then you want to turn around and say you support the war fighter. Either you do or you don't.

[00:08:26]>> Is the nuclear material still there?

[00:08:27]>> I can get you a ticket out to CENTCOM and talk to what those Americans are doing and how committed they are to this effort and how they want to ensure that Iran never threatens their families with a nuclear weapon. It's a it is that that's the kind of intensity that our war fighters have about making sure that Iran isn't capable of doing that.

[00:08:42]>> Secretary Hexed, did you if you listened to my comments, you told you would have heard me say how amazing our war fighters are.

[00:08:48]>> failure. The word heard I I I heard exactly what you said.

[00:08:50]>> I how I used the word failure cuz I used the word failure to their leaders. You, sir, are the failure. Not the men and women who are on that front line. Not the the men and women who hold up their honor with distinction.

[00:09:04]But if there's a lack of a winning strategy, they're in harm's way. Their leaders have failed them. And that's what's happening. We have political leadership. You, you don't have a strategy. You don't have a long-term plan to actually win this war. Win the war. The men and women are going to be able to do it but they need to have leadership. When will you show leadership?

[00:09:23]>> When will you show leadership? Why don't you show some leadership and stand up for your fellow Democrats who won't fund the troops? Who stand and play partisan politics while you don't give us the money. You want to stand up here and talk about the troops? You won't show any political courage to actually fund our department because you have Trump Arrangement Syndrome and can't actually commit to anything meaningful. So, I put this on you, Senator.

[00:09:42]>> Senator Senator Haggs, you have trillions you have a over a trillion dollars you're asking for 1.5 trillion dollars. It's not a question of money, it's a question of leadership.

[00:09:52]>> The Eastern Cape government says the death of Inkosi Impumalanga Gwadisio is a loss to the province as well as the traditional leadership of South Africa.

[00:10:01]Gwadisio was the chairperson of the traditional and Khoisan leaders. He died suddenly in his home last week. A memorial service was held in Bisho and ENCA's Ronald Masinda was there. He spoke to Cogta MEC Zolile Williams and the deputy chair of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders Inkosi Buyanda Matanzima.

[00:10:21]>> About traditional circumcision there was huge resistance towards the entry of professionally medically trained personnel like doctors and nurses into the tradition.

[00:10:38]We could use him to traverse that difficult path. As such, today it's an accepted norm that in the Eastern Cape medical practitioners are part of traditional circumcision. Although we have not achieved everything we wanted to achieve and we could only traverse that road with him at the helm.

[00:10:59]>> Gwadisio died at the age of 62. He had been appointed chairperson of the House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders since 2022.

[00:11:10]Leaders who serve in this position are held in high esteem by the president and the government as they play a pivotal role in bringing stability to society by bridging the gap between rural communities and modern-day South Africa.

[00:11:26]>> Inkosi Gwadisio had his own diplomacy. I understand it's a loss because we can't have someone who can argue as he was supposed to do, but we trust the government that all those issues he raised into the to the president maybe our president will take it as a legacy of Vusi Waga this.

[00:11:54]>> In other news we're keeping an eye on parliament section 89 impeachment committee is set to meet on Wednesday to finalize its terms of reference. It's also expected to appoint an evidence leader. On Friday the Western Cape High Court will rule on President Cyril Ramaphosa's urgent bid to halt parliament's impeachment committee. In KwaZulu-Natal unpaid water and sanitation contractors have vowed to intensify their protest outside the Pinetown Depot until their demands are met. The artisans accused the eThekwini municipality of favoritism in public procurement. Onto the world of sports now and Hugo Broos has reportedly been given a one-year contract extension to stay on as Bafana Bafana coach for next year's AFCON. The Belgian coach's contract was supposed to come to an end and he was supposed to retire after the World Cup, but he kind of left the door open after the team's historic run to the knockouts. Preseason is underway though and Orlando Pirates suffered a loss in a match played in Spain. The Buccaneers went down 3-2 to Saudi Pro League giants Al Ittihad. And over in the English Premier League Chelsea have smashed transfer record for a British player with the signing of Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa. The England attacking midfielder heads to Stamford Bridge in a deal valued at 117 million pounds. Well, that's just over 2.5 billion rand to you and me. Meanwhile, Liverpool's new manager Andoni Areola believes they still have obvious gaps to address in the transfer market. The Reds have signed Jeremy and Victor Munoz, but lost Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, while they have a longish injury list.

[00:13:31]>> You have to be always open to to new options to improve the squad.

[00:13:37]And there are obvious situations that we know that we need to where we need to sign players where winger, for example, now. We We definitely need to sign a winger.

[00:13:49]But there are other situations that we will have to analyze what the market gives you, what's the cost, how we also see the the the the the players we have.

[00:14:00]>> In rugby, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named his squad for the upcoming test against Argentina in Buenos Aires and the greatest rivalry series against the All Blacks. He's named 43 players while releasing five others to play for their franchises against New Zealand. A total of 10 seasoned Springboks, including Lod de Jager Etzebeth and Lood de Jager, will make a return from injury. Ruben van Heerden is the only player in the Nations Championship squad who was omitted from the two groups.

[00:14:28]This is after he made a move from the Stormers to Montpellier. He remains, however, on standby. And that's how we wrap today's News Bite. For developments in these and more, keep an eye on enca.com and DStv channel 403.