News 13:00

BULLETIN 25 August 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Theunissen joins the DA in Tshwane after his FF Plus removal
# China vows to protect its interests amid America’s sanctions against Iran
# And soccer: Minister McKenzie waits on SAFA’s report over the delay in appointing Mosimane as Bafana’s coach

# Former Freedom Front Plus caucus leader in Tshwane, Grandi Theunissen, has joined the DA. He made the announcement at a media briefing this morning, in what the DA described as a significant Gauteng political move. The FF Plus removed Theunissen as caucus leader earlier this month after serving in the position since 2021. The DA says his move will strengthen its position in the metro ahead of November’s local government elections.

# The Public Servants Association has obtained a Labour Court interdict against the Registrar of Labour Relations, who gazetted a notice in June of his intention to cancel the union’s registration. The PSA was given 60-days to make representations. Labour registrar Lehlohonolo Molefe says the third-largest public service union failed to submit audited financial statements and membership records. PSA’s Claude Naicker says they are a genuine trade union despite Molefe’s assertion:

Moving abroad:

# The Chinese Foreign Ministry says sanctions and pressure tactics do not resolve disputes. The US has imposed new economic sanctions on Iran, targeting digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping. It has also warned any country financially partnering with Tehran would be isolated. Iran’s largest trading partners include China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. China says it will do what is necessary to protect its legitimate rights and interests.

# Soccer: Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has criticised local governing body SAFA over the delay in appointing Pitso Mosimane as new Bafana Bafana head coach. SAFA’s National Executive Committee approved the appointment earlier this month, but no official announcement had been made due to a breakdown in contract negotiations. Bafana’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign kicks off next month. McKenzie is waiting on SAFA’s report:

# And financial news: The rand has strengthened to under 16-rand to the US dollar for the first time in almost six months. The currency broke through the key level this morning. Analysts say a weaker US dollar, rising gold and platinum prices, and strong foreign demand for South African bonds are driving gains. Investec says about 63.7-billion-rand has flowed into local debt markets this year, boosting confidence. The bank forecasts the rand could average 15-rand-90-cents to the dollar in the final quarter of the year.

The dollar currently trades at 15-rand-99-cents and the euro at 18-rand-65-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-81-cents and Bitcoin trades at 79-thousand-805-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-631-dollars-6-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-86-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….