News 06:00

BULLETIN 6 August 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa opposes the appeal to overturn the impeachment interdict
# The government implores Chinese employers to comply with South Africa’s labour laws
# And, Iran and Oman agree on the geographic characteristics of a shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has formally opposed the direct urgent appeal launched before the Constitutional Court, which seeks to overturn the Western Cape High Court ruling halting impeachment proceedings against him. Parliament’s Impeachment Committee and political parties the ATM, EFF, MK Party, and UAT launched urgent direct appeals to set aside the interdict. In an affidavit filed with the Constitutional Court, Ramaphosa says nothing will be lost if Parliament waits for the outcome of the next step in his legal challenge against his impeachment before proceeding with the inquiry.

# Deputy minister of Employment and Labour Jomo Sibiya has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening ties with the Chinese business community while promoting compliance with South Africa’s labour laws. Speaking at an engagement with Chinese business leaders in Cape Town, Sibiya urged businesses to respect workers’ rights, end illegal labour practices and avoid employing undocumented foreign nationals. He also praised businesses that have worked with the department to improve compliance.

#The Madlanga Commission has heard that ActionSA’s Dereleen James was in possession of top-secret documents linked to an investigation by the Directorate Against Corruption. IDAC’s Drushantha Ramsamy testified that James was to submit an affidavit and evidence in the Section 27 probe but failed to cooperate. Ramsamy says chief investigator Dylan Perumal shared a “Top Secret” security assessment involving Parliament’s Police Portfolio Committee chair, Ian Cameron, which he claimed explained James’ silence.

# The DA in Gauteng says suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi must be fired immediately. He and four others were arrested yesterday in connection with the 2022 murder of Emmanuel Mbense. Mbense was allegedly tortured to death in Brakpan before his body was dumped into a dam. This marks the fourth time in as many months that Mkhwanazi has faced criminal charges. The DA’s Khathutshelo Rasilingwane says public confidence in the justice system demands that accountability no longer be delayed:

# Iran’s Foreign Ministry says it has come to an agreement with Oman on the geographic characteristics of a shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz. Commercial traffic through the waterway has been heavily disrupted, with only eight vessels transiting on Monday. This is compared with roughly 130 ships per day before the US-Israel war on Iran erupted in February. The ministry says the agreement alone cannot guarantee safe passage through the Strait, while a US naval blockade and “other aggressive and threatening actions” remain in place.

# Rugby: The South African Institute for Drug-free Sport says the likelihood of the use of banned substances increases because the stakes are so high. This follows after two young props, Kai Pratt and Deon Botes, recently tested positive for anabolic steroids. Botes was banned for four years, while Pratt requested that his B sample be tested. The institute’s CEO, Khalid Galant, says the popularity and television coverage of schoolboy rugby put increased pressure on young players wanting to make a career out of the game.  

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-31-cents and the euro at 18-rand-85-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-96-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-580-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-248-dollars-34-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-70-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….