News 07:00

BULLETIN 4 July 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The MK Party withdraws its election results case
# A health workers union urges the minister to prioritise National Health Insurance
# And Keir Starmer says the Labour Party is taking nothing for granted

# The MK Party has withdrawn its application at the Electoral Court in Bloemfontein which sought to invalidate the 2024 general election results. The party had claimed the results announced by the Electoral Commission last month were not free and fair. It alleged that it had evidence of serious election irregularities. The MK Party had asked the court to set aside the results and demanded a new election date be set. The party says they need more time to prepare comprehensive reports involving a thorough assessment of the IEC results.

# Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says his top agendas in office include the implementation of the National Health Insurance and improving the National Health Laboratory Service cyber security. Motsoaledi noted doctors struggle to get blood results due to an IT security breach after a cyber attack. He also asserted his department will defend the NHI if it faces legal challenges in court, noting that the insurance benefits all South Africans:

Meanwhile, the Health and Allied Workers Indaba Trade Union is calling on Motsoaledi to prioritise the implementation of the National Health Insurance. HAITU general secretary Lerato Mthunzi emphasises that NHI will improve healthcare rights and equal access for all. She also calls on Motsoaledi to end austerity in healthcare allowing state funding to improve service delivery, and ensure state funding for healthcare services for the poorest communities:

# The DA in Gauteng says it cannot be a part of a provincial government of unity that does not value fairness, proportionality, and principles in the same way it does. Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced his new cabinet yesterday evening. The DA leader Solly Msimanga says after prolonged negotiations, the offer the ANC made to the party was and continues to be both unfair and unreasonable. He says they have a long history of being a strong and unforgivingly thorough opposition, which they will gladly be.

# UK Labour Party leader, Keir Starmer, says after four election defeats in a row and 14 years in opposition, they are taking nothing for granted. Millions of people nationwide will cast their votes in the general election today. Polls predict Labour will win its first general election since 2005, making Starmer prime minister. He says the top priority for his government if they win, would be to grow the economy and improve living standards for the general population.

# Cycling: Britian’s Mark Cavendish claimed a record-breaking 35th victory on the Tour de France when he prevailed in the fifth stage in Saint-Vulbas. The 39-year-old, who delayed his retirement to pursue the outright record for Tour de France stage wins, had jointly held the record for most Tour stage wins with Belgian Merckx since winning his 34th stage in 2021. Belgian Jasper Philipsen finished second and Norway’s Alexander Kristoff in third. Cavendish says he is in disbelief:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-40-cents and the euro at 19-rand-86-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-47-cents and Bitcoin trades at 58-thousand-653-dollars-47-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-359-dollars-92-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 86-dollars-88-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….