News 11:00

BULLETIN 4 August 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# AfriForum says Nersa’s additional reporting requirements for struggling municipalities will be futile
# A nationwide police blitz nets almost 16-thousand arrests and illegal firearms
# And soccer: Banyana Banyana know what is at stake against Burkina Faso

# AfriForum wants the National Energy Regulator to abandon its key performance indicators plan, saying this will not solve the power distribution crisis in struggling municipalities. The indicators aim to address technical management and operation aspects of municipal electricity reticulation systems, which could lead to improved efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of electricity services. AfriForum’s Morné Mostert says implementing additional reporting requirements for struggling municipalities will be futile:

# Police arrested nearly 16-thousand suspects during nationwide Operation Shanela actions over the past week. The arrests included 329 alleged drug dealers, while cocaine worth an estimated 28-million-rand was seized at OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng after arriving on a flight from Brazil. Spokesperson Amanda van Wyk says the operations are aimed at disrupting organised crime, drug trafficking and improving public safety:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the Special Investigating Unit to investigate allegations of maladministration and unlawful conduct involving nine tenders linked to the Mangaung Metropolice in the Free State. The probe will also scrutinise overpayments made to suppliers, as reflected in the municipality’s annual financial statements for the year ending 30 June 2024. The SIU has also been authorised to investigate the Gauteng Department of Health’s voluntary medical male circumcision tender, to assess whether procurement processes were followed.

Moving abroad:

# US president Donald Trump says Iran has a last chance to sign a good deal and avoid an escalation of strikes. He has paused potential strikes against Tehran for the fifth time since April, as negotiators return to the bargaining table in hopes of reaching a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and curb Iran’s nuclear programme. Trump has reiterated he is running out of patience with the Iranian leadership:

# Soccer: Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis says they are well aware of what is at stake ahead of tonight’s all-important Women’s Africa Cup of Nations clash against Burkina Faso. South Africa is at the bottom of the table in Group B with just one point after two matches. To progress to the quarterfinals, Banyana Banyana have to beat Burkina Faso and then hope Ivory Coast get the same result against Tanzania. Ellis says they have enough experienced players to get the team over the line.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-49-cents and the euro at 18-rand-98-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-15-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-595-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-65-dollars-52-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 88-dollars-30-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….