News 17:00

BULLETIN 31 July 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# OUTA says the delayed disclosure of the AARTO Appeals Tribunal undermines transparency
# The diesel prices could rise by nearly two-rand a litre next week
# And soccer: Jordaan hails Broos’ lasting legacy amid his exit

# The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse has vowed to continue its legal challenge against Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences, widening its investigation to determine whether the Appeals Tribunal’s appointments and implementation comply with the law. OUTA’s Stefanie Fick argues key information about the Tribunal should have been made public before AARTO came into effect. Fick says transparency is essential to protect motorists’ rights:

# A sharp increase in the diesel price is likely next week due to higher crude oil prices and the weakening of the rand. The price of wholesale diesel is expected to rise by nearly two-rand a litre. News24 reports the situation with petrol prices is uncertain, with the price of 95-octane expected to remain largely unchanged and 93-octane possibly seeing a slight decrease. The final fuel price adjustments will be announced by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources before taking effect on Wednesday.

# Senior Investigating Directorate Against Corruption investigator Mantsha Raphesu has told the Madlanga Commission that a complaint alleged extravagant spending linked to the Political Killings Task Team. Raphesu says the claims include costly accommodation, laundry bills worth hundreds of thousands of rand and luxury vehicles allegedly bought through the Secret Service Account. He says properties and lodges were allegedly acquired in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal:

# African and global aviation organisations are urging African countries to implement Advanced Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record systems to strengthen border security and improve travel. The African Airlines Association, Airlines Association of Southern Africa and International Air Transport Association say the systems should follow international standards while protecting passenger data. The bodies say governments should fund implementation, warning that costs should not be passed on to airlines or travellers, as Africa works to expand safe and efficient air connectivity.

# Soccer: South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan has praised outgoing Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos for transforming South African soccer during his tenure. Speaking as Broos’ five-year contract ends today, Jordaan credited the Belgian coach with building a competitive national team and identifying talented players who have become established internationals. He SAFA will now begin the search for a new coach:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-57-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-3-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-23-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-665-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-38-dollars-89-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 93-dollars-4-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….