News 09:00

BULLETIN 20 July 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# TLU SA calls for actions, not promises, to fix South Africa
# The Hawks investigate an attempted hit on a SARS advocate
# And, rugby: Currie Cup victories for the Pumas, the Bulls and the Lions

# TLU SA has urged president Cyril Ramaphosa to ensure his government does more action and less promises for South Africa to succeed. This includes infrastructure and economic growth. TLU SA’s General Manager Bennie van Zyl emphasised the need to fix 30 years of mismanagement with real economic principles. He says the true test lies in the markets’ evaluation over the next five years:

# Nedbank Chief Operations Officer Mfundo Nkuhlu has noted the level of support for small businesses in South Africa as a persistent challenge. He highlighted key issues such as funding and reliable power supply. Addressing the Bank’s Top Empowerment Conference, Nkuhlu urged the government of national unity to integrate previously marginalised people into the economy and address structural challenges facing small businesses across the country:

# KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has announced the Hawks are now handling the investigation into the attempted hit on Durban advocate Coreth Naudé. Naudé survived after being shot three times and undergoing successful surgery. Mkhwanazi confirmed close cooperation with SARS and prioritisation of the investigation, emphasising the need to protect those involved in pursuing tax evaders. Naudé was representing SARS in a tax inquiry involving businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize.

# South Africa has welcomed the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on Israeli practices in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. The ICJ reaffirmed that Israel’s presence in the territory is unlawful and obstructs Palestinian self-determination. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, emphasised the need for immediate international action to end Israel’s occupation and human rights violations, condemning the situation as akin to apartheid. He added there is now an additional legal obligation for all states to end complicity in Israel’s illegal actions and to respect international law.

# And, rugby:  Three Currie Cup matches were played last night. The Pumas punished a error-ridden Sharks team in Durban with a final score of 31-21. And at Loftus in Pretoria the Bulls managed to end their losing streak with a hard-fought 25-13 victory over the Cheetahs. In the day’s third match at Ellis Park in Johannesburg the Lions had to work hard to earn a 25-13 victory over Griquas. Tomorrow the Griffons and Western Province will meet in the weekend’s final match in Welkom.

Stay tuned for more news………….