News 07:00

BULLETIN 18 July 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# IPID arrests two suspects in the raid and seizure of precious stones worth 14-million-rand in Killarney
# The Public Protector warns a health inspector shortage threatens food safety
# And rugby, the Stormers snatch victory from the Griquas

# The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has arrested two remaining suspects in the 2023 raid and seizure of precious stones worth 14-million-rand from a property in Killarney, Johannesburg. IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping says both suspects are expected to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday. She says there were initially six suspects, with one that has since died:

# Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka says the shortage of environmental health practitioners in Gauteng is hampering inspections of food outlets and spaza shops. Speaking during an update on her investigation into food safety enforcement, Gcaleka said the province falls below the World Health Organisation’s recommended ratio of one environmental health practitioner for every ten-thousand people. She added urgent action is needed to protect consumers and improve compliance with food safety standards:

# The DA has lodged a complaint with the Public Protector, calling for an investigation into what it describes as systemic service delivery failures in Johannesburg. Following an inspection of the Nancefield sewer pump station, the party’s Johannesburg mayoral candidate, Helen Zille, told the media ongoing sewage spills, unsafe housing and deteriorating infrastructure show the city has failed residents. Zille calls for urgent intervention and accountability over public spending and delayed remedial action:

# The United States on Friday launched a seventh straight night of attacks on Iran. Iran in ‌turn struck US allies in the Gulf, with both sides targeting infrastructure while shipping in the Strait of Hormuz came under further assault. US president Donald Trump has threatened to launch broad-based air strikes on Iran’s infrastructure and declined to rule out a ground assault on Iran’s coast or islands. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres meanwhile expressed concern about the escalation, particularly attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran and across the region.

# Rugby: The Stormers scored a late try through scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer to snatch victory by 25-19 over the defending champions Griquas in a Currie Cup Premier Division match at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday evening. The Stormers were 8-12 down at the break but came back in the second half. Vernon Paulo, Mfundo Ndhlovu and Stefan Ungerer scored the home team’s tries, with two conversions and a penalty by Dominic Malgas and another penalty by Jean-Luc du Plessis. Sako Makata, Lourens Oosthuizen and Tiaan Lange were the Griquas’ try scorers with two conversions by George Whitehead.

And, in more rugby news, the Junior Springbok captain Siphosethu Mnebele says unity is the driving force for the team in today’s final of the Junior World Championships against France in Georgia. He lauds the team environment and work ethic, saying they are well prepared and excited to represent South Africa. South Africa is the defending champion after beating New Zealand in last year’s final in Italy. It was also confirmed the Junior Boks will wear black armbands in honour of former SA Under-18 prop Luqobo Makwedini, who died in France recently.

Stay tuned for more news………….