News 15:00

BULLETIN 4 July 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The president and cabinet are to jointly exercise executive authority
# Cape Town wants more time to decide on Koeberg’s extension amid safety concerns
# And cricket: Chloe Tryon is back from an injury and ready to make an impact in the T20 series against India

# Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says under the framework of the government of national unity, the cabinet will jointly exercise executive authority with president Cyril Ramaphosa. The minister briefed the media following the swearing-in of deputy president Paul Mashatile, 32 ministers and 43 deputies. Ntshavheni says the new national executive, including deputy ministers from various parties, reflects the electoral outcome and aims to be inclusive, prioritising demographics, youth, and gender:

Meanwhile, minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille and deputy minister Maggie Sotyu have affirmed their commitment to leading the Department of Tourism and working with all tourism sector partners to achieve continued growth of the sector. Spokesperson Zara Nicholson says De Lille has committed to continuing the partnership between government and the private sector. She says the sector is thriving as tourism arrivals to South Africa increased over the past year:

# The City of Cape Town has requested more time from the National Nuclear Regulator to decide on the future operation of the Koeberg nuclear power plant. This is over urban development and safety concerns. A 2022 International Atomic Energy Agency report identified several safety issues at Koeberg, including cracks and erosion in buildings, the pressurised water reactors, and a dysfunctional monitoring system. If Koeberg is permitted to continue operations, the Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute has warned of potential legal action.

# Cricket: The Proteas women will start a three-match T20 series against India in Chennai tomorrow. The South Africans were beaten by India in the one-off Test, but now their focus shifts to the shortest format, as they step up their preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in October. Allrounder Chloe Tryon makes her return from injury and hopes to make a big impact:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-36-cents and the euro at 19-rand-82-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-42-cents and Bitcoin trades at 57-thousand-763-dollars-51-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-359-dollars-22-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 86-dollars-71-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A commission of inquiry, chaired by retired Justice Sisi Khampepe, has revealed dire living conditions in suspected hijacked buildings in central Johannesburg. Following the tragic Usindiso Building fire that claimed 77 lives, the commission resumed inspections and found alarming issues such as overpopulation and a lack of running water, lighting, fire exits, and emergency equipment in five inspected buildings. Residents, acknowledging the hazards, cited financial constraints preventing them from relocating to safer accommodation.

Stay tuned for more news………….