News 11:00

BULLETIN 31 July 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa supports the phase one report on the establishment of an independent Transmission System Operator
# Twelve people die in a bus crash in the Free State
# And cricket: Albie Morkel is Joburg Super Kings’ new head coach

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has endorsed the phase one report of the Eskom restructuring task team, setting out the recommendations for establishing an independent Transmission System Operator. The Electricity Regulation Act provides for the establishment of the operator by no later than the end of 2029. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says the report shows how government can ensure the architecture of the electricity sector can change as the sector continues to evolve:

# Acting minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, says law enforcement agencies identified 162 organised criminal syndicates between January 2024 and last month. A total of 371 alleged syndicate leaders have been prosecuted, while only 62 have been convicted. In a parliamentary reply, Cachalia revealed that during the same period, 12 police officials were investigated for alleged collusion with organised criminal syndicates. He says eight officials were suspended and two dismissed. Cachalia says police has intensified efforts to disrupt organised criminal groups, including covert operations targeting crime networks.

# Twelve people, including five children, have been killed and over 60 others injured in a bus crash on the N1 between Trompsburg and Edenburg in the Free State. The driver of the bus and trailer, reportedly travelling to Zimbabwe, lost control and it overturned. The Road Traffic Management Corporation’s Simon Zwane urges motorists, particularly long-distance public transport operators, to exercise caution, comply with road safety regulations, and ensure vehicles are roadworthy:

News from abroad:

# World-renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja is among ten climbers feared missing after an avalanche struck one of the world’s highest mountains, Broad Peak in Pakistan, yesterday. The Nepalese-born climber is known for climbing all of the world’s 14 peaks over eight-thousand metres in just over six months in 2019. The expedition includes five Nepalese climbers and a US, Pakistani, Omani and Chinese national. The Alpine Club of Pakistan’s president, Irfan Arshad Khan, says four bodies have been recovered by ground teams, but have not been identified yet.

# Cricket: Former Proteas all-rounder Albie Morkel has been appointed as new head coach of Joburg Super Kings for the upcoming SA20 season. He takes over from Stephen Fleming, who stepped down earlier this month. The 45-year-old served as Fleming’s assistant for four years. Morkel says he is looking forward to building on the strong foundations they have already created and helping the team achieve its full potential. The fifth edition of SA20 starts on January 17, with JSK opening their campaign against Paarl Royals the next day.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-48-cents and the euro at 18-rand-98-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-18-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-38-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-77-dollars-64-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-33-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….