News 06:00

BULLETIN 14 July 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says overcoming poverty is not an act of charity, but an act of justice
# Donald Trump says the US will reinstate its blockade of Iranian ports
# And rugby: Rassie still wants to give every player in the squad a chance to prove himself

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South Africa to use Nelson Mandela International Day to refocus efforts to tackle poverty and inequality. The 18 of July is recognised as Mandela Day in honour of the late former president’s birthday and as a call to give 67 minutes through acts of service. In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa says Madiba was clear that overcoming poverty is not an act of charity, but an act of justice. He adds that no nation can overcome inequality alone, and what is needed is coordinated multilateral action rooted in solidarity.

# The Public Investment Corporation has placed its CEO, Patrick Dlamini, on precautionary suspension. This follows a governance dispute linked to the Lanseria Airport investment and allegations that PwC was appointed to conduct a forensic investigation into the transaction without board approval. Dlamini faces a 900-million-rand claim lodged by businessman Kagiso Matjila in the Gauteng High Court, arguing that the CEO acted beyond his delegated authority in commissioning the PwC probe after a final award had already been paid. The PIC oversees 3.6-trillion-rand in government pension and social insurance funds.

# Former eThekwini mayor and former ANC regional chairperson Zandile Gumede has joined the MK Party and has been appointed the party’s deputy provincial convenor in KwaZulu-Natal. Gumede is currently on trial with 21 co-accused on fraud and corruption charges linked to a 320-million-rand Durban solid waste tender. MK secretary-general Sibonelo Nomvalo announced the appointment during a media briefing in Durban, where the party also confirmed the successful completion of its ward councillor nomination process:

# Trade union Solidarity has instructed its legal team to finalise court papers challenging the City of Tshwane’s suspension of city manager Johann Mettler. The union argues the decision is unlawful, irrational and unconstitutional, and claims the suspension is politically motivated. Solidarity’s Anton van der Bijl says the union is seeking to have the suspension overturned after the city refused to reverse its decision despite earlier warnings of legal action.

# President Donald Trump says the US is reinstating its blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz immediately. This comes as the US and Iran continued to exchange strikes over the weekend, putting the memorandum of understanding signed last month at risk. Trump told Fox News that the US will be the “guardian” of the vital waterway and impose a 20-percent charge on all cargo shipped to pay for the cost of safety and security. He added that the Strait will remain open:

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus still wants to give every player in his expanded squad a chance to prove what they could do at the highest level. He made several changes to his squad for Saturday’s Nations Championship Test against Wales in Durban, handing debuts to prop Carlu Sadie, lock Ruben van Heerden, wing Jaco Williams, and flyhalf Vusi Moyo. Erasmus says he is excited to see what the uncapped players and those who have not been in the mix for a while can bring to the team.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-44-cents and the euro at 18-rand-72-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-95-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-836-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-1-dollars-44-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-35-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….