News 11:00

BULLETIN 28 August 11 am

Good morning/Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Eskom says an investigation confirms all diesel is accounted for, but governance shortcomings are identified
# Tshwane’s council resolves not to institute disciplinary proceedings against city manager Johann Mettler
# And rugby: Thomas du Toit says the Boks are determined to bounce back in Cape Town

# Eskom says it has completed the independent legal assessment, diesel reconciliation and verification processes arising from its investigation into diesel procurement and storage contracts. It covered contracts potentially worth 21-billion-rand issued in 2024. Spokesperson Daphne Mokwena says the independent processes found no evidence that diesel paid for by the power utility is missing. She says the investigation did confirm instances of non-adherence to Eskom’s processes concerning payments made to certain suppliers:

# Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela has urged the National Student Financial Aid Scheme board to urgently strengthen systems, controls and governance. He met with the board yesterday on the implementation of a court order, institutional continuity and the functioning of NSFAS in the period ahead. The scheme transitions from administration to interim arrangements ordered by the courts. Manamela says the court order has not resolved the underlying institutional problems at NSFAS:

# The City of Tshwane’s council has resolved not to institute disciplinary proceedings against city manager Johann Mettler following an investigation into allegations of misconduct. He was accused of maladministration, making irregular appointments, and failing to conduct the mandatory vetting of some officials appointed to the Tshwane Metro Police Department. The metro says an independent investigation allowed the allegations to be properly tested against the evidence, while also identifying shortcomings. It adds with this process now concluded, the focus remains on ensuring stability within the administration.

Moving abroad:

# Chinese authorities have suspended flood rescue efforts near the border between Nepal and Tibet over fears that a barrier lake created during the initial landslide could trigger another disaster. At least 475 people have been killed in Nepal, and one-thousand-300 people are unaccounted for following devastating flash floods in the Himalayan border region. In China’s Tibet, three people have died, and more than 550 are missing. Chinese authorities say it’s extremely dangerous to proceed to areas that have been identified as priorities for search and rescue operations.

# Rugby: Springbok prop Thomas du Toit says they are determined to rectify the mistakes from the opening Test against the All Blacks as they line up once again in Cape Town tomorrow. South Africa, who suffered a 33-16 defeat at Ellis Park, must win the second Test to keep their hopes of sealing the series alive. Du Toit, who starts on the bench, says everyone will try to bring their A-game:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-97-cents and the euro at 18-rand-59-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-70-cents and Bitcoin trades at 79-thousand-718-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-597-dollars-70-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-58-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….