News 11:00

BULLETIN 8 July 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# SAFTU cautions against reducing the collapse of local government solely to corruption and poor governance
# The US military launches new strikes against Iran and Tehran targets American military sites
# And the International Olympic Committee provisionally lifts Russia’s suspension

# Union federation SAFTU says municipalities cannot continue to receive public funds without accountability, emphasising corruption, maladministration, financial mismanagement and the looting of resources have devastated service delivery. National Treasury is temporarily withholding the July equitable share transfers to 69 municipalities due to non-compliance with key financial management obligations. SAFTU’s general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, however cautions against reducing the collapse of local government solely to corruption and poor governance:

Meanwhile, municipal union SAMWU says underfunding, corruption and failing infrastructure have pushed local government and the water sector into crisis. The union will march to the National Treasury and other government departments in Tshwane tomorrow. It expects a written response to its memorandum within 14 working days. General secretary Dumisane Magagula says they demand increased funding for municipalities, an end to outsourcing, stronger protection for workers and collective bargaining, and improved public services.

The DA has meanwhile filed papers in the High Court in Pretoria seeking a review of the City of Tshwane council’s decision to fine deputy mayor and mayoral committee member for Finance, Eugene Modise. He was found to have breached the Councillors’ Code of Conduct after failing to legally disclose his financial interests linked to Triotic Protection Services, which has a security services contract with Tshwane. The DA’s Cilliers Brink says the council’s decision fundamentally undermines the integrity of local government:

Moving abroad:

# The US military has launched a series of strikes against Iran, hitting over 80 targets, including more than 60 small boats of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes hit Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas and Sirik. The US Central Command says the attack was to impose high costs on Iran for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent individuals in the strait. Tehran says it has targeted 85 American military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait in response to what it calls a ceasefire violation.

On to sports news:

# The International Olympic Committee has provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, in effect since October 2023. This will allow Russian athletes to compete in some team events and qualifying competitions ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The ban on the Russian flag and national anthem remains. IOC president, Kirsty Coventry, says an athlete’s participation in international competition should not be limited by the involvement of their government in a war:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-31-cents and the euro at 18-rand-63-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-79-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-533-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-119-dollars-80-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-53-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….