News 17:00

BULLETIN 4 August 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Post Office achieves its first unqualified audit in six years
# President Cyril Ramaphosa hails the King Nyabela Hospital for advancing universal health access
# And, an IDAC advocate denies claims that the unit’s Operations Manual is not in use

# The South African Post Office’s first unqualified audit in six years is being hailed as a major step in its recovery. The Auditor-General found the Post Office’s latest financial statements were fairly presented, despite some remaining compliance issues. The state-owned entity has been under business rescue since 2023 and says the improved audit outcome reflects stronger financial management and governance. Post Office management believes the result will help rebuild public confidence as it continues efforts to stabilise operations and secure the organisation’s long-term future.

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially opened the new King Nyabela Hospital in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, marking a major milestone in expanding quality universal healthcare. The 220-bed facility will serve more than 240-thousand residents in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, replacing the ageing Middelburg Hospital. Ramaphosa says the modern hospital strengthens government’s commitment to comprehensive healthcare and universal access through the National Health Insurance. He also urged communities to protect the facility:

# The deputy director of Public Prosecutions at the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, advocate Petre Seruya, has disputed claims made at the Madlanga Commission that the unit’s Operations Manual is not in use. Former IDAC head Andrea Johnson gave the impression that the Operations Manual was not really applied in practice. Responding to evidence leader Thabang Pooe’s question, Serunye said that the manual guides IDAC’s daily procedures, operational standards and processes since 2024:

# Cameroon has announced a major military reshuffle as president Paul Biya remains out of the public eye after two months abroad. The 93-year-old leader promoted the head of the Presidential Guard to brigadier-general and replaced commanders in four of the country’s five joint military regions. The changes were announced in presidential decrees broadcast on national radio. Government officials insist Biya is alive and will return soon. His prolonged absence has fuelled speculation about his health and leadership, with the ruling party facing growing criticism.

# Rugby: All Blacks hooker George Bell’s tour of South Africa was cut short before it even began. He is on his way back to New Zealand after suffering injury during training in Cape Town this week. Bradley Slater had been called up as substitute and will join the squad tomorrow. Stand-in captain Codie Taylor is reportedly also struggling with a calf injury and is in a race against time to be fit for Friday night’s tour opener against the Stormers at the Cape Town Stadium.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-42-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-90-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-6-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-934-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-64-dollars-20-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-28-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….