News 16:00

BULLETIN 15 July 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Matlala’s testimony is postponed to September
# A trade union urges the government to employ one-thousand-400 doctors
# And rugby: Vusi Moyo is confident and ready to make his Springbok debut

# Controversial businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala will testify before the Madlanga commission in September. This follows a heated argument between commissioners and his lawyer, Annelene van den Heever, amid requests for more time to study material from the Independent Directorate Against Corruption. Evidence leader Mahlape Sello agreed to the postponement, but warned more repeated delays will disrupt the commission’s work. Chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga made the ruling:

# The Soil of Africa civic movement says it supports stronger collaboration between government and traditional leaders to end preventable initiation deaths, illegal initiation schools, and criminal activities associated with this sacred cultural practice. Forty-three initiates lost their lives during this year’s winter initiation season. The movement’s spokesperson, Luzuko Sofute, says customary initiation must always uphold the constitutional rights to life, dignity, health, and safety:

# The South African Medical Association Trade Union is calling on government to urgently employ about one-thousand-400 unemployed doctors, saying public healthcare facilities remain critically understaffed. General secretary Cedric Sihlangu says delays in appointing qualified doctors are worsening pressure on the health system. He rejects claims that budget constraints are to blame, arguing funding is allocated but often redirected by provinces. He says employing unemployed doctors would strengthen healthcare services and improve patient care.

# The Competition Commission has recommended that the Competition Tribunal approve Harith Aviation’s acquisition of Safair Holdings, subject to conditions. Safair owns low-cost airline FlySafair, while Harith is an infrastructure investment firm with interests including Lanseria Airport in Gauteng. The commission says the conditions are aimed at preventing inappropriate information sharing. It also seeks to ensure airlines receive fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory access to airport-related goods and services. The proposed merger will now be considered by the tribunal.

# Rugby: Twenty-year-old flyhalf, Vusi Moyo, admits it was a surreal moment to learn he will make his Springbok debut in Durban on Saturday. He is one of four uncapped players to face Wales in round three of the Nations Championship. Moyo’s senior professional debut was for the Sharks in the Currie Cup last year, and he played his first United Rugby Championship match against Zebre this year. He’s ready for Saturday:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-38-cents and the euro at 18-rand-69-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-95-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-598-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-37-dollars-51-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-24-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….