News 07:00

BULLETIN 22 July 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Donald Trump calls on Joe Biden to resign as president immediately
# Minister Chikunga condemns the persistent acts of gender-based violence and femicide
# And motorsport: Oscar Piastri claims his maiden Grand Prix victory

# Former US president Donald Trump says president Joe Biden was not fit to run for re-election, and is certainly not fit to serve now and must resign. Biden announced he would not be seeking re-election, saying this is in the best interest of the Democratic Party and the country. His departure from the presidential race comes after weeks of concern about the 81-year-old’s mental abilities. Trump says all those around Biden, including his doctor and the media, knew that he was not capable of being president.

# Parliament says Busisiwe Mkhwebane is not entitled to the ten-million-rand gratuity given to outgoing Public Protectors, as she was removed and did not vacate the office. In March, she launched a court application to force the Public Protector’s office to pay her the gratuity, insisting it is rightfully hers. In an answering affidavit, National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, says the payment of a gratuity to Mkhwebane, who has been removed from office based on misconduct and incompetence, would threaten the foundational and fundamental constitutional value of accountability.

# Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, says the persistent acts of gender-based violence and femicide are a national crisis. The minister is particularly concerned about incidents involving intimate partners and family members. The department’s spokesperson, Cassius Selala, says while the government has made fighting GBVF one of its top priorities, the plight of women and girls in South Africa has been deplorable over the past 30 years of democracy:

Meanwhile, Not In My Name International has called for swift action amid rising gender-based violence and femicide incidents. The organisation says despite a 2019 summit and recent legislation, progress remains slow. Concerns include political interference, fair fund distribution, and economic inclusion for women. The group urges the government to provide adequate support and ensure the effective implementation of GBV measures. It emphasises that combating GBV is a societal responsibility and that collective action is needed to create a safer, equitable society.

# The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa has strongly opposed City Power’s decision to implement a 200-rand service fee for prepaid electricity. Spokesperson Koketso Phasha says the union condemns this move as it is reckless and harmful to the working class already struggling with high living costs. He says the union calls for a mass meeting in Johannesburg to fight back against this decision:

# Motorsport: McLaren’s Oscar Piastri won a dramatic Hungarian Grand Prix to claim his maiden Formula One victory. The Australian overtook his teammate Lando Norris at the start and led most of the race. However, when Norris was pitted first during the second round of stops, the Briton emerged in the lead. He eventually heeded messages from the McLaren pit wall to give the place back to Piastri. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton finished third, his 200th F1 podium. Piastri says the team did the right thing:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-27-cents and the euro at 19-rand-89-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-59-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-828-dollars-56-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-406-dollars-77-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-79-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….