eNCA News Bite | Cat Matlala delay, Ramaphosa impeachment bid and Argentina-England clash | 15 Ju...

It’s Wednesday, 15 July, and this is News Bite (https://www.enca.com/news-bite-podcast) with Marcelle Gordon. The Madlanga Commission has heard arguments over whether Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala can be compelled to testify. Matlala sought a postponement after rejecting a plea deal, with his lawyer warning that evidence could incriminate him. Inquiry chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga disagreed, while evidence leader Advocate Mahlape Sello called the bid a calculated delay tactic. Matlala’s testimony has been postponed to 1 September. (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories...) President Cyril Ramaphosa has begun a High Court bid to halt Parliament’s Section 89 impeachment process (https://www.enca.com/opinion-videos/r...) while he challenges the independent panel report on the Phala Phala farm theft scandal. His counsel, Wim Trengove, argued the committee should pause its work. The EFF has accused Ramaphosa of stalling. At the Khampepe Commission, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories...) said families of apartheid-era victims deserve answers over delayed or abandoned TRC cases. (https://www.enca.com/news/mandate-trc...) Former Police Minister Bheki Cele said investigations belonged with a specialised Hawks unit and that he still wants clarity. Eastern Cape government official Sizwe Kupelo is back in court on charges of allegedly forging his Matric certificate. He faces up to 15 years in prison (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories...) if convicted after failing to have the case dismissed. US President Donald Trump has dropped plans for a 20% fee on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz, saying trade and investment agreements with Gulf states will replace it. US forces have launched further strikes on Iranian targets, (https://www.enca.com/business-top-sto...) while Iran has vowed retaliation against US military assets in Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait. In other news we’re keeping an eye on, New York has imposed a one-year moratorium on large new data centres over power, water and community concerns. French firefighters are battling wildfires outside Paris (https://www.enca.com/news/fire-ravage...) that have scorched about 2,050 hectares. SPORT After Spain beat France 2-0, Argentina and England meet in a historic World Cup semi-final (https://www.enca.com/sport/scaloni-sa...) at Atlanta Stadium. Miguel Cardoso has paid tribute to the late Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder (https://www.enca.com/sport-top-storie...) Jayden Adams. Lukhanyo Am says the All Blacks remain the benchmark before four South Africa-New Zealand Tests. And finally, a 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton nicknamed “Gus” has sold for a record $50.1-million in New York. More than 60% of its bones were recovered. That’s your News Bite for 15 July. (https://www.enca.com/news-bite-podcast) For more, visit eNCA.com (https://www.enca.com/) or watch eNCA on DStv Channel 403 Chapter List (00:00) Opening Headlines (00:35) Cat Matlala Seeks Madlanga Testimony Delay (02:15) Commission Rejects Matlala’s Legal Arguments (03:05) Ramaphosa Begins Section 89 Court Challenge (04:35) EFF Accuses Ramaphosa Of Stalling (05:10) Fikile Mbalula Testifies On Delayed TRC Cases (06:15) Bheki Cele Addresses Apartheid-Era Investigations (07:15) Sizwe Kupelo Returns To Court (08:10) Trump Drops Strait Of Hormuz Cargo Fee (09:15) New York Halts Large Data-Centre Construction (09:50) Wildfires Ravage Forest Outside Paris (10:30) Argentina And England Meet In World Cup Semi-Final (11:40) Miguel Cardoso Pays Tribute To Jayden Adams (12:30) Lukhanyo Am Looks Ahead To All Blacks Series (13:15) T. Rex Skeleton Sells For Record $50.1-Million (14:05) News Bite Wrap