News 07:00

BULLETIN 20 July 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Directorate Against Corruption’s oversight office has received complaints against Andrea Johnson
# Soil of Africa says a secure identity system strengthens democratic participation
# And soccer: Spain beat Argentina to capture their second World Cup title

# Newly appointed Independent Directorate Against Corruption Oversight Judge, retired judge Takalani Joseph Raulinga, says they have already received numerous complaints against IDAC head, Andrea Johnson. She faces allegations, in her then capacity as a senior public prosecutor, of allegedly shielding major-general Feroz Khan in an assault and intimidation case opened against him. Raulinga says every complaint will be considered fairly with due regard to the rights of both the complainant and the person who is the subject matter of the complaint:

Meanwhile, the MK Party has called on minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, to review the appointment of Raulinga. The MK Party has questioned Raulinga’s political independence due to his alleged ties to the ANC. It has described Raulinga’s appointment as an error of judgment, claiming it risked undermining public confidence in an institution intended to oversee politically sensitive corruption investigations.

# The Soil of Africa Civic Movement says a secure identity system strengthens democratic participation, economic inclusion, financial access, and national security. The movement’s spokesperson, Luzuko Sofute, says the expansion of Smart ID services into the banking sector represents a practical demonstration of how strategic partnerships between government and the private sector can improve service delivery while reducing administrative barriers experienced by ordinary citizens. He urges the Home Affairs Department to ensure that digital transformation remains inclusive:

# National Council of Provinces chairperson, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, has encouraged the South African and African students in Russia to seize the unique opportunity afforded to them to contribute meaningfully to the development of their respective countries upon their return. She emphasised that universities play an increasingly important role in strengthening relations between nations through research collaboration, academic exchange, and innovation. The chairperson welcomed the growing partnerships between Russian and South African institutions of higher learning, noting that they complement broader parliamentary and diplomatic cooperation between the two countries.

# Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky says they must take active measures aimed at forcing Russia to end the war with a dignified peace and guaranteed security for Kyiv. This comes after Moscow launched one of its largest ballistic missile attacks against Ukraine since launching its full-scale invasion more than four years ago. The five-hour assault over the weekend left at least six people dead and at least 35 wounded across the capital. Zelensky says air defences shot down or neutralised 126 targets, including 18 missiles and 108 unmanned aerial vehicles.

# Soccer: Spain defeated reigning champions Argentina 1-0 in extra time in New Jersey to win their second World Cup title. Ferran Torres’ 106th-minute goal proved to be the difference. The win extends Spain’s unbeaten run to 38 matches, breaking a tie with Italy. Spain is the first team to be reigning champions of both the men’s and women’s World Cups at the same time, having won the women’s tournament in 2023. Torres says scoring the winning goal is special:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-53-cents and the euro at 18-rand-90-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-23-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-692-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-dollars-39-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 88-dollars-68-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….