News 07:00
BULLETIN 11 August 7 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# A crime analyst says Fadiel Adams’ testimony at the Madlanga Commission is important
# Iran says the US needs to meet conditions for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened
# And rugby: Springbok veteran Deon Fourie is recalled for the series against the All Blacks
# Crime analyst, Chris de Kock, says National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams’ testimony at the Madlanga Commission today will be very critical. He is expected to face tough questioning about the unauthorised disclosure of classified state documents. Adams is also facing allegations that authorities used questionable information from him to pursue investigations against senior crime intelligence officers. De Kock told the Sowetan that Adams’ testimony will establish whether he was being used or was part of those who executed orchestrated attacks on senior officers.
Meanwhile, the Forum for South Africa has expressed concern at allegations that confidential Crime Intelligence information may have been shared with Members of Parliament. State Advocate Drushantha Ramsamy of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption claimed at the Madlanga Commission that ActionSA’s Dereleen James received top-secret Crime Intelligence documents passed under the door of her parliamentary office. She has denied this. The forum’s leader, Tebogo Mashilompane, says the sharing of confidential information undermines public confidence in the country’s law enforcement and oversight institutions:
# The South African Communist Party says the escalating levels of violent and organised crime expose a deeper crisis within the country’s security architecture, particularly the South African Police Service. Over the weekend, eleven people were shot dead in three separate incidents in the Western Cape, while four people, including two officers of the SAPS Anti-Gang Unit, were killed in Reiger Park, Boksburg. The SACP says criminal networks are becoming increasingly emboldened, while the institutions responsible for preventing and combating organised crime are being weakened and factionalised by political elements.
# ANC Gauteng spokesperson and member of the provincial legislature, Mzikayifane Elias Khumalo, known as Mzi, has passed away at the age of 54. He died after being rushed to hospital in the early hours of yesterday morning. Khumalo served in many positions throughout his political career, including the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs before the 2024 May elections and ANC chief whip in the legislature. Premier of Gauteng and ANC provincial convener, Panyaza Lesufi, says Khumalo was a dedicated servant:
# Iran says the agreement with Oman to manage the Strait of Hormuz will not be enough to reopen the vital waterway, unless the US meets a list of conditions. These include an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, withdrawing military forces from Tehran’s vicinity and permanently ending the war. Normally, one-fifth of global crude oil flows through the Strait. Iran’s Foreign minister Abbas Araghchi says as long as the US has not addressed its violations of the memorandum of understanding, they see no possibility of restarting negotiations.
# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has called up veteran utility forward Deon Fourie to the national squad for the forthcoming Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks. The 39-year-old, who doubles up as a loose forward and hooker, last played for the Boks in the 2023 World Cup final against New Zealand in Paris. Following a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury, Fourie was the standout performer for the Stormers in their 38-21 loss to the All Blacks in Cape Town last Friday.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-18-cents and the euro at 18-rand-68-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-86-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-986-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-415-dollars-10-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-58-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….