News 13:00

BULLETIN 21 July 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC secretary-general slams the opposition’s rhetoric on selling out
# GIWUSA criticises president Ramaphosa’s speech as empty promises
# And, athletics: Lyles wins last 100 metres before the Olympics in a personal best

# ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has criticised opposition parties for accusing the ANC of selling out South Africans after forming a government of national unity. Mbalula stated the ANC mandate remains to be committed to representing the interests of South Africans. He emphasised the ANC retained key portfolios and is willing to collaborate with other parties:

# The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa has termed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech at the opening of Parliament as an old list of false promises. Spokesperson Koketso Phasha says there was nothing concrete for workers and no commitment to roll back ongoing privatisations. He says the president presented no concrete plans to tackle the cost of living crisis driven by financialisation, deindustrialisation, and administered prices of electricity and fuels:

# The National Counterfeit Goods Unit, alongside its crime-fighting partners, seized over eight-million-rand in counterfeit goods and arrested 18 suspects at a Fordsburg shopping complex. Police spokesperson Amanda van Wyk says the operation uncovered ten-thousand counterfeit items and illegal cellphone accessories. Among the arrested were illegal foreigners, with one facing additional cybercrime charges:

# A Democratic congressman has claimed his “friend” Joe Biden did not recognise him at an event last month. Seth Moulton, who represents a district in Massachusetts, said the incident occurred at the 80th D-Day anniversary event in Normandy.  He says it was a crushing realisation and he was no longer confident that Biden could win the presidential race. Moulton was the third House Democrat to call on the 81-year-old leader to end his campaign.  He is among 35 Democrats who have now called for Biden to quit the presidential race.

# And, athletics: Noah Lyles set himself up perfectly for the Paris Olympics by securing a personal best in winning the 100 metres at Saturday’s Diamond League meeting. In the last sprint before the Olympics, Lyles was quick out of the blocks and tore down the track at London Stadium to win in 9.81 seconds. South African Akani Simbine timed a season’s best of 9.85 seconds in second place, while Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo rounded out the podium in 9.88 seconds to match his own national record.

Stay tuned for more news………….