News 14:00

BULLETIN 8 July 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Madlanga commission grants a closed-door testimony to a witness
# The GOOD Party says Tony Leon’s lobbying of politicians cannot be termed state capture
# And rugby: Loftus suite holders are furious with SARU over extra payment for Tests

# Madlanga commission chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga has approved an application for Witness M to testify behind closed doors for safety reasons. The businessman linked to a major drug seizure under investigation, says he has been followed and received threatening phone calls. His evidence is expected to expose alleged links between organised crime, drug syndicates, politically exposed individuals and executive members. Madlanga says the date for the next public hearings remains unknown:

# Local government budget analysis specialist Jan Hattingh says many municipalities adopt budgets that are not adequately funded, placing further strain on already fragile finances. He spoke at a news conference this morning after National Treasury announced yesterday it was withholding funds from 69 municipalities in breach of the Municipal Finance Management Act. Hatting urged councils to adopt realistic, funded budgets aligning with available revenue and expenditure projections to improve financial sustainability:

# The GOOD Party says former DA leader Tony Leon’s lobbying of politicians on behalf of private sector clients cannot be termed state capture unless his clients were inordinately successful in winning government tenders or dictating government policy. His public relations firm, Resolve Communications, allegedly sought to facilitate meetings between its clients and ministers. GOOD’s Brett Herron says it’s in Cape Town where Leon was most likely to maximise his influence:

# 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.

# Rugby: Suite holders at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria are furious with SA Rugby for forcing them to pay extra for the use of suites during Tests. They say they already pay thousands during a season, and SARU wants another 100-thousand-rand per Test match. SARU apparently also forces its own caterers on them. Unhappiness about high ticket prices also lead to ten-thousand seats being vacant during last weekend’s Test between the Springboks and England at Ellis Park. Loftus hosts the Boks and Scotland this Saturday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-40-cents and the euro at 18-rand-71-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-90-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-23-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-49-dollars-82-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-8-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….