News 06:00

BULLETIN 29 July 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC defends the temporary suspension of hearings in Ramaphosa’s impeachment process
# Zelensky says he had a good meeting with Trump
# And rugby: The experienced Aseza Hele returns to the Springbok Women’s squad

# The ANC believes the legal and parliamentary processes involving president Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala matter must be allowed to run their course. According to the party, the High Court in the Western Cape only paused, not cancelled, Parliament’s impeachment hearings while Ramaphosa’s court review is heard in September. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula told the media a fair legal process will ensure South Africans can have confidence in the final outcome:

Meanwhile, the EFF has filed a direct appeal to the Constitutional Court challenging  Ramaphosa’s court order. The EFF, which is supporting the African Transformation Movement’s application, argues that the High Court’s ruling in the Western Cape weakens Parliament’s oversight role and could allow future presidents to delay impeachment proceedings through court action. The party wants the court to overturn the interdict and allow the impeachment process to continue.

# The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse says its preliminary investigation has uncovered serious procurement and governance concerns at the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority. The organisation claims INSETA’s budget increased from about 20-million-rand to 443-million-rand in the 2024/2025 financial year. OUTA’s Rudie Heyneke also questions the appointment of a service provider, Mabophe Business Solutions, after a tender was cancelled and 879 students did not receive their bursary payments for months:

# Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi says skills development is critical in driving economic growth, creating sustainable employment opportunities, and building a capable workforce for the future. He launched the Gauteng Human Resource Development Council yesterday, which will respond to the needs of the province’s economy. Lesufi emphasised that the provincial government is committed to building a skilled, capable, and future-ready workforce that drives economic growth, creates employment opportunities, and improves the quality of life for residents:

# Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky says he had a good meeting with US president Donald Trump yesterday. The two leaders met behind closed doors at the White House. Zelensky says they discussed Kyiv’s access to Patriot missile interceptors and reviving diplomacy to end the war with Russia. Moscow has stepped up its use of ballistic missiles, striking Ukraine again over the weekend; meanwhile, Kyiv has intensified long-range drone attacks against Russian targets. Zelensky added that he is grateful to the US for its firm support.

# Rugby: Experienced number eight Aseza Hele returns to the Springbok Women’s squad for next month’s tour of Fiji. She missed the Africa Women’s Cup in May and this month’s two Tests against America after undergoing hand surgery, and will feature for South Africa for the first time since her brilliant performances in last year’s World Cup in England. Hooker Lindelwa Gwala is also back after a calf injury. The Boks and the Fijiana-15 will meet in Tests in Suva and Lautoka on 8 and 15 August.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-68-cents and the euro at 19-rand-1-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-18-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-812-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-16-dollars-18-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 86-dollars-53-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….