News 18:00

BULLETIN 15 July 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Ministry of Police sets strategic priorities for the seventh administration
# Minister Schreiber says his department has already reduced the visa backlog by almost 93-thousand
# And, tennis: Djokovic doesn’t plan on retirement after his Wimbledon loss

# The Ministry of Police says key priorities for the seventh administration include reducing crime rates and professionalising the police force. In its first media briefing, the ministry highlighted the importance of integrating advanced technologies and strengthening crime intelligence. Minister Senzo Mchunu says partnerships with communities and organisations are crucial to combat crime, and removing illegal firearms from the streets is a top priority. He adds ensuring police member safety remains paramount:

# Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber says his department’s dedicated team has already reduced the visa backlog by processing 92-thousand-886 applications out of a total of 306-thousand. This is a reduction of 30-percent. Schreiber tabled the department’s budget in Parliament. He says a further urgent priority in improving the dignity of interactions with Home Affairs is to stabilise the online system:

# The Association for Savings and Investment South Africa has warned the new two-pot retirement system’s provision for accessing savings in financial distress carries significant tax implications. Withdrawals are taxed at the marginal rate, potentially escalating members into higher tax brackets. The association highlights an example in which withdrawing 80-thousand-rand could incur an additional 21-thousand-275-rand in taxes. Long-term impacts include forfeiting substantial investment growth, with 80-thousand-rand withdrawn at age 40 potentially costing 121-thousand-958 in future value by retirement age, without accounting for inflation.

# Tennis: Novak Djokovic doesn’t plan to retire after he was totally outplayed by young Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in Wimbledon’s final yesterday. The 37-year-old Serbian lost in straight sets to the 21-year-old, missing out on his bid to become the only player to win 25 Grand Slam titles. Djokovic says he would love to return next year, and wants to play as long as he can remain on a high level. He is now going for the one remaining honour that has eluded him – Olympic gold.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-25-cents and the euro at 19-rand-93-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-71-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-902-dollars-82-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-421-dollars-21-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-68-cents a barrel.

# And, Judges Matter has praised chief justice Raymond Zondo’s tenure in office, as he approaches the end of his term. Research and advocacy official Mbekezeli Benjamin highlights Zondo’s reforms to the Judicial Service Commission, including the adoption of written criteria for judicial interviews. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Mbekezeli says Zondo remained a strong defender of the judiciary, leaving an impactful legacy for his successor, deputy chief justice Mandisa Maya:

Stay tuned for more news………….