News 06:00

BULLETIN 13 August 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Constitutional Court rejects the African Transformation Movement’s Phala Phala appeal
# The police’s body cameras can be delayed indefinitely
# And rugby: Babalwa Latsha returns to lead the Springbok Women against Fiji

# The Constitutional Court has refused the African Transformation Movement and its MP Vuyo Zungula leave to appeal a ruling that halted public hearings into President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala impeachment inquiry. The Western Cape High Court last month granted Ramaphosa an interdict, stopping the impeachment committee from holding hearings while his review application is considered. The Constitutional Court says the outcome of that review could make the interim interdict irrelevant. The ruling means the public hearings remain on hold pending the conclusion of Ramaphosa’s legal challenge.

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the new electronic travel authorisation system will boost tourism, trade and investment by making travel to South Africa faster and easier. Speaking at the launch of the digital system at OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng, Ramaphosa said eligible travellers will be able to apply online before arriving in the country, reducing delays and improving efficiency. He added the system will also strengthen border security while supporting economic growth and job creation:

Meanwhile, Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber says the new electronic travel authorisation system will make travel easier while improving border security. Schreiber says the digital platform uses biometric technology and automated risk checks to process travel applications within 24 hours. He stated the system has already processed more than 216-thousand applications and rejected over six-thousand fraudulent applications during its pilot phase:

# The DA says the national rollout of police body-worn cameras has stalled after acting Police minister Firoz Cachalia confirmed there is no timeline for their introduction. In a written parliamentary reply, Cachalia said the project is still in the procurement phase, and a rollout plan will only be finalised once a service provider is appointed. The DA’s Mzamo Billy says the delay is hampering police accountability and transparency amid growing concerns over corruption and abuse of power.

# The International Energy Agency has warned that world oil supply is set to fall further than previously expected this year, as a result of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The vital waterway has effectively been closed by Iran since the US-Israeli war with Tehran began in late February. The IEA forecast that global oil supply will drop by 4.3-million barrels per day this year. This is larger than the 3.7-million barrels per day reduction forecast in the agency’s July report.

# Rugby: Babalwa Latsha will return to lead the Springbok Women in their second match against the Fijiana 15 in Lautoka on Saturday. Maria Tshiremba has been included at wing in what will be her Test debut for South Africa at Churchill Park. Latsha missed last weekend’s 55-12 win over their hosts in Suva. The South African captain will start at tighthead prop in place of Nombuyekezo Mdliki, who reverts to the bench. There are four changes to the backline and two to the forwards for the second Test.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-13-cents and the euro at 18-rand-59-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-78-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-412-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-400-dollars-13-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-98-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….