News 16:00

BULLETIN 24 August 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Correctional Services disputes Matlala’s legal team’s consultation claims
# An analyst warns COSATU’s continued support for the ANC is a setback for the SACP
# And cricket: Cummins will play ODIs against the Proteas to prepare for the first Test series since Sandpapergate

# The Department of Correctional Services has disputed claims that Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s legal team was denied sufficient time to consult with him. Madlanga commission evidence leader Alida Hassim read correspondence into record indicating the lawyers had consulted with Matlala for three days. Matlala’s lawyer, Fatima Missi, maintains access was affected by Correctional Services’ procedures. Chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga says the conflicting accounts cannot be resolved and he will liase with the department:

# Political analyst Dirk Kotzé says union federation COSATU’s continued support for the ANC would be a significant setback for the South African Communist Party as it prepares to contest local government elections independently. COSATU has, however, delayed its final decision. Speaking to the SABC, Kotzé says the SACP’s independent campaign highlights growing divisions between the alliance partners and could threaten the future of the tripartite alliance:

# Forum for South Africa has welcomed minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi’s intervention in helping thwart an attack on a senior official. The official reportedly refused to sign off on questionable contracts and later became the target of an alleged assassination plot. A whistleblower alerted Kubayi. Forum leader Tebogo Mashilompane says no public servant should face intimidation, threats or violence for refusing to participate in corrupt conduct:

Moving abroad:

# Norway’s Energy minister, Terje Aasland, says the country will continue developing its oil ​and gas resources in the Barents Sea regardless of the European Union’s support for a moratorium on Arctic hydrocarbon supplies. Norway has become Europe’s largest supplier of natural gas following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, meeting around 30-percent of gas demand of both the EU and Britain. The EU currently supports a ⁠ban on new drilling on environmental grounds in the Arctic, but is considering revising its policy in response to concerns about energy security.

# Cricket: Australian captain Pat Cummins plans to prepare for the Test series against South Africa with one-day games against the Proteas. The three Tests in October will be the first for Australia in South Africa since the ball-tampering scandal in 2018, which led to the suspensions of captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and bowler Cameron Bancroft. Cummins had played just two ODI’s for his country since 2023. The Proteas and Australia will play ODI’s in Durban, Johannesburg and Potchefstroom before the Tests in Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town.  

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand and the euro at 18-rand-65-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-82-cents and Bitcoin trades at 78-thousand-458-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-654-dollars-32-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 94-dollars-14-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….