News 13:00

BULLETIN 8 July 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Tensions rise as South African tourists are told to leave Mozambique
# Cricket: England humiliates India in the third T20 at Trent Bridge
# And BackaBuddy removes a fundraiser for Peet Viljoen’s legal costs

# Tensions between South Africa and Mozambique have spilled over to tourist areas, where some South African visitors were confronted and told to leave Mozambique. The hostility follows anti-illegal immigration protests in South Africa that reportedly claimed the lives of Mozambican nationals. Mozambique has since repatriated more than 900 citizens from South Africa. Videos on social media have sparked divided reactions, some condemning the confrontations and others supporting retaliation. President Filipe Nyusi pledged support for returnees as the majority lost their homes, businesses, belongings and documents.

# Activists and Citizens Forum is calling on EFF leader Julius Malema to appear before the Madlanga commission. Evidence leaders yesterday unpacked a series of WhatsApp messages they say suggest Malema was used as a conduit between tainted Crime Intelligence officier Feroz Khan and tobacco businessman Mohammed Sayed. The forum’s Dennis Bloem says the best way for Malema to clear his name is to appear before the commission and answer questions:

# National Treasury says municipalities must first agree on sustainable payment plans with creditors before withheld funds can be released. It was announced yesterday that the funding to 69 municipalities will be temporarily withheld as they were in breach of the Municipal Finance Management Act. Treasury’s Ogalaletseng Gaarekwe told a media briefing this morning the arrangements will help municipalities meet their financial obligations while maintaining basic service delivery and improving financial management:

# Cricket: India is licking its wounds after being humiliated by England in the third T20 at Trent Bridge in Notthingham. The hosts posted 201 for seven after opener Phil Salt contributed 70 runs. Harshit Rana and Prince Yadav both took two wickets. India was then skittled out for just 76 within 12 overs, with Vaibhav Sooryavanship and Ishan Kishan top-scoring with 13 runs each. Josh Tongue claimed four victims and Jofra Archer three. This was India’s second lowest T20 total following their 74 against Australia in Melbourne in 2008.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-42-cents and the euro at 18-rand-72-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-89-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-910-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-53-dollars-83-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-46-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Crowdfunding platform BackaBuddy removed a fundraising campaign launched to cover the legal costs of controversial businessman Peet Viljoen, who is facing more than 400 charges, including fraud, theft, corruption, and forgery. The campaign, started by a family friend, sought to raise 400-thousand-rand, but had collected only about three-thousand-500-rand before it was closed. BackaBuddy says the fundraiser was removed in line with its platform standards and terms and conditions. They say eligible donations will be refunded.

Stay tuned for more news………….