News 07:00

BULLETIN 9 July 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The International Monetary Fund says South Africa’s economic growth will remain stable
# Peet Viljoen wants to sue the National Prosecuting Authority for 500-millon-rand
# And, Donald Trump says Iran’s leaders are ‘cuckoo’

# The International Monetary Fund says South Africa’s growth outlook is expected to remain stable in the near term and continue to improve on the back of strengthened policy frameworks and ongoing structural reforms. The IMF expects the country’s economic growth this year to equal that of 2025 at 1.1-percent, however, this remains below the South African Reserve Bank’s prediction of 1.2-percent. Meanwhile, the IMF has trimmed its global growth forecast to three-percent, down from its previous forecast of 3.1-percent, saying the global economy has shown resilience.

# Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi, says there is an urgent need to address longstanding weaknesses in the public healthcare system. This comes after the Health Ombud has found that the deaths of six healthcare workers at public health establishments in KwaZulu-Natal were not as a result of workplace bullying, victimisation, or adverse working conditions at hospitals under investigation. However, the investigation did identify significant systemic challenges affecting healthcare professionals. Motsoaledi says austerity is a major contributor to healthcare workers’ well‑being challenges:

# Disbarred lawyer Peet Viljoen says he intends to sue the National Prosecuting Authority for 500-million-rand for unlawful prosecution. He is facing at least 400 charges, including fraud, corruption, and theft, linked to the alleged fraudulent sale of 46 properties belonging to the Johannesburg Property Company. Viljoen told the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria yesterday that the State’s case against him is weak and flawed. He added that his actions contradict the behaviour expected of someone attempting to evade justice. Viljoen has been postponed to the 23rd of this month.

# The DA in Gauteng says hundreds of learners at Ezibeleni School for Learners with Special Educational Needs in Katlehong are still attending classes on unsafe dolomitic ground, despite years of warnings. The party urges the provincial Education Department to urgently relocate the school. The DA’s Bronwynn Engelbrecht says deteriorating buildings, sinkhole risks, and unfilled support staff posts are putting vulnerable learners at risk:

# US president Donald Trump has threatened more strikes against Iran, warning of targeting critical civilian infrastructure. The US Central Command confirmed that the military had hit over 80 targets, including more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps small boats in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday night. In response, Iran targeted US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait. Trump, who has also threatened to reinstate its naval blockade of Iranian ports, says Iran is “not the bully” of the Middle East anymore:

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana star Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s agent has warned clubs interested in his service will have to hugely enhance offers following his good World Cup showing. Basia Michaels says the 20-year-old defender should be able to command two to five times what Chicago Fire paid for him last year. The US club is willing to sell him to European clubs after paying about 49-million-rand to acquire him. A Belgian team reportedly shows interest in Mbokazi again after declining to pay Orlando Pirates’ asking price a year ago.  

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-39-cents and the euro at 18-rand-72-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-95-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-306-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-70-dollars-9-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-57-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….