News 07:00

BULLETIN 9 July 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC dismisses claims of being behind the MK Party’s leadership troubles
# Biden tells congressional Democrats he will continue his re-election bid
# And Paralympic Games: Gayton McKenzie is inspired by Team SA

# The ANC says it must not be used as a scapegoat for the internal machinations of other political parties, as it is too busy focusing on governing the country. This comes as MK Party member of Parliament Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla has accused the ANC of behind the party’s leadership troubles by attempting to infiltrate and usurp power. She also accused the ANC of having a hand in the criticism she has faced from members of her party. ANC acting spokesperson Zuko Godlimpi says they have no interest in MK matters.

# The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union calls for intelligence-led policing, and increased investment in technology, training, and community partnerships to tackle crime effectively. The union notes recent successes, including the arrest of 64 suspected kidnappers and the rescue of kidnapped individuals in six months. Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo says advanced strategies are needed to address the evolving nature of crime and violence, ensuring public safety and national security:

# The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal says assessments are currently underway following widespread veld fires that caused damage to homes and vehicles in districts such as King Cetshwayo, uThukela, and uMzinyathi. The fires affected municipalities including uMlalazi, eMthonjaneni, Okhahlamba, and uMvoti. The department’s spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila says officials are evaluating the extent of the destruction caused, with efforts focused on providing necessary support to affected residents for rebuilding and recovery:

# The City of Johannesburg mayoral committee member for Human Settlements, Anthea Leitch, has resigned with immediate effect. She was a deployee of the Patriotic Alliance and joined the mayoral committee in January 2022. The party’s deputy president Kenny Kunene says Leitch will focus full-time on being the treasurer-general. Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda has accepted the resignation and described Leitch as a dependable and hardworking member of the committee.

# In a letter to congressional Democrats, US president Joe Biden says he is firmly committed to staying in the race for re-election and beating former president Donald Trump. This is despite mounting concerns about his mental fitness and the viability of his campaign. Biden says he feels a deep obligation to the faith and the trust the voters of the Democratic Party have placed in him. He adds that any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts the party.

# Paralympic Games: Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, says he is inspired by the athletes who will represent South Africa at the Paralympic Games in Paris in August. The South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee has announced an initial squad of 26 athletes who will compete at the Games. South Africa won seven medals, four gold, one silver, and two bronze at the Tokyo Paralympics. McKenzie, who addressed the athletes, says the team has already made the country proud:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-14-cents and the euro at 19-rand-63-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-22-cents and Bitcoin trades at 56-thousand-437-dollars-51-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-361-dollars-58-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-53-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….