News 09:00

BULLETIN 3 August 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Treasury wants to ensure reforms translate into measurable improvements
# The Tshwane city manager Johann Mettler is back at work
# And, Donald Trump says new negotiations with Iran will begin today

# National Treasury says while the global economic environment remains uncertain, sustained implementation of structural reforms is improving South Africa’s competitiveness, reducing constraints to growth, and laying the foundations for higher levels of private investment. Government released the Operation Vulindlela 2026 quarter one report last week, which shows continued progress in advancing reforms to improve the performance of network industries. Treasury says the focus now is on accelerating delivery, resolving remaining bottlenecks and ensuring reforms translate into measurable improvements in infrastructure, service delivery and economic performance.

# The South African Local Government Association says with only three months remaining before the Local Government Elections, it will convene Provincial Members Assemblies across all provinces during August and September. This serves as a strategic platform for reviewing progress, addressing challenges, and shaping the future direction of local government. SALGA spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba, says key agenda items include a report back on the implementation of the 2026/2027 annual performance plan, assessing organisational performance and preparing for the transition to the seventh administration:

# Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya says City Manager Johann Mettler has resumed his duties. The Gauteng High Court ruled that Council Speaker Mncedi Ndzwanana wrongly discarded 13 votes before declaring a council decision to suspend Mettler. It ruled that the Speaker lacked the authority to determine which councillors’ votes counted. Mettler returns to work while the court evaluates whether the council meeting suspending him was lawful. Moya’s spokesperson, Samkelo Mgobozi, says the mayor acknowledged the judiciary’s role in resolving disputes of this nature:

# US president Donald Trump says negotiations with Iran will resume today, following his decision to call off any planned strikes contingent on a deal being reached rapidly. He stated that he was asked to call off the planned attack by US allies in the Middle East and by Tehran. Meanwhile, Iranian state media has denied it asked Trump to stop planned attacks. Speaking to journalists on Air Force One, Trump says the planned strikes would have been the biggest attack since World War Two:

# Cricket: West Indies opener Brandon King believes they can deliver a big first-innings total in the second and final Test against Pakistan in Trinidad. All-rounder Justin Greaves was unbeaten on 64 and captain Roston Chase on 36, as the hosts reached 239 for five at stumps on day one yesterday. The West Indies lead 1-0 in the two-Test series after securing a 90-run win in Tarouba. The result added to West Indies’ tally of 30 points in the World Test Championship standings, where they are placed eighth, just above Pakistan.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-46-cents and the euro at 18-rand-98-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-17-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-867-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-69-dollars-57-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 87-dollars-36-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….