News 16:00

BULLETIN 24 July 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The FF Plus proposes an oversight mechanism for presidential accountability
# Up to 48-percent of South Africans plan to withdraw under the new two-pot retirement system
# And, Olympic Games: The identity of the person set to light the cauldron is shrouded in mystery

# The FF Plus says an oversight mechanism for presidential accountability is essential for the success of the government of national unity. The party remains committed to the government of national unity, but insists on adjustments, including upholding the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the rule of law, as well as ensuring non-racialism and non-sexism. The FF Plus’s Corné Mulder calls for improved oversight of the Presidency to ensure effective governance without political feuds:

# Up to 48-percent of South Africans in pension funds plan to withdraw under the new two-pot retirement system from 1 September. Many cite debt repayment and daily expenses as reasons. According to research from Worth, a lack of emergency savings and annual withdrawals are concerns, with some considering resigning for full fund access. Financial education gaps persist, with 42-percent of employers offering no support. CEO Gary Kayle urges improving cash flow and reducing debt to avoid early withdrawals.

# The City of Tshwane says the Department of Economic Development and Spatial Planning has been instrumental in facilitating and supporting investment to the tune of 5.6-billion-rand in the 2023/’24 financial year. This investment has led to the creation of approximately two-thousand-770 direct and indirect employment opportunities. Mayoral committee member for Economic Development and Spatial Planning, Hannes Coetzee, says the investments facilitated were from the automotive, construction and development industries:

# The United States Treasury has sanctioned two alleged ISIS operatives in South Africa, accusing them of using robberies and kidnappings to fund the terror group. According to the US, Abubakar Swalleh, active in South Africa and Zambia, and Zayd Gangat, a facilitator and trainer, are linked to a wider ISIS network across Africa. ISIS leaders in South Africa have historically used robbery, extortion, and kidnap for ransom operations to generate funds for the group. The sanctions freeze their US assets and bar US citizens from doing business with them. 

# Olympic Games: Very few people know who will light the cauldron during the opening ceremony in Paris on Friday night – not even the person who will be given the honour. The president of the organising committee, Tony Estanguet, says less than a dozen people have that information. The ceremony will for the first time not take place in the main stadium, but on flotillas on the River Seine. The cauldron is situated in the Tuileries gardens in the centre of Paris.

# And, the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-31-cents and the euro at 19-rand-86-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-66-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-411-dollars-54-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-417-dollars-44-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-72-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….