News 08:00

BULLETIN 13 July 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Tau says South Africa has laws to prevent the import of goods produced by forced labour
# At least 27 were killed in a fire in a popular bar in Bangkok
# And tennis: Sinner beats Zverev to successfully defend his Wimbledon title

# Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, has reiterated that South Africa has the legal framework to enforce the prohibition of the importation of goods produced using forced labour. The Office of the US Trade Representative is investigating whether at least 60 economies adequately enforce bans on imports of goods made with forced labour. Government has urged the US to exempt it from a proposed 12.5-percent tariff linked to forced labour. Tau says imposing additional tariffs on South Africa would punish workers not responsible for forced labour in other countries.

# Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, says the State Security Agency is currently vetting senior police management officers, as part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen integrity, accountability, and public confidence within law enforcement. Acting minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, revealed that of the 23 lieutenant generals currently serving nationwide, 18 have already formally submitted their applications for re-vetting. Ntshavheni says the State Security Agency has moved to electronic vetting to fast-track the process:

# Investigating Directorate Against Corruption head, Advocate Andrea Johnson, is scheduled to testify at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry today. Her testimony follows allegations by previous witnesses that Johnson, then a senior prosecutor at the National Prosecuting Authority, allegedly funnelled the contents of a confidential criminal complaint to Crime Intelligence head Feroz Khan, who was a suspect in the case, in 2018. Johnson also allegedly instructed investigators not to pursue certain aspects of the case. Senior investigator Brian Padayachee is also set to appear before the commission later this week.

# At least 27 people have been killed after a fire broke out at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, a popular bar in Thailand’s ⁠capital, Bangkok. Sixty-three people have been injured, with 22 in critical condition. According to reports, witnesses saw smoke coming from a circuit breaker near the stage before the power went out, and then heard an explosion. Many of the victims were found on the floor near the bar’s toilets. This fire is one of the deadliest such incidents in the popular tourist destination in ⁠recent years.

# Tennis: World number one Jannik Sinner has become the tenth player to successfully defend the Wimbledon men’s singles title. The Italian defeated German Alexander Zverev, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-4, to clinch his fifth Grand Slam title. Zverev, who won the French Open last month, was attempting to become the first man since 1968 to win his second Grand Slam at the next event immediately after his first. Sinner, who has won a Tour-leading six titles in 2026, says winning Wimbledon again is special:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-38-cents and the euro at 18-rand-67-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-92-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-866-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-60-dollars-12-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-88-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….