News 06:00

BULLETIN 6 August 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC warns economic inequality threatens stability
# The Johannesburg mayor agrees to step down amidst pressure
# And Olympic Games: Prudence Sekgodiso finishes last in the 800-metre final

# The ANC says the deepening economic inequality and worsening income distribution are major concerns that could lead to social instability. Briefing the media on day two of the national executive committee lekgotla in Boksburg, acting spokesperson Zuko Godlimpi urged the revitalisation of the economy to protect the credibility of the democratic order. Godlimpi says  low voter participation in the elections signalled a democracy crisis:  

# The Department of Water and Sanitation will support municipalities to improve water and sanitation services. Minister Pemmy Majodina stated the department will visit all provinces to review progress with existing improvement plans and assist in developing new ones. She emphasised the department will continue allocating grants to enhance infrastructure reliability and capacity:

# The ANC has confirmed that Johannesburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda will step down despite resistance from his party and coalition partners. This decision follows calls from political parties and organisations, including the Johannesburg Crisis Alliance, citing declining investor confidence. Speaking at the sidelines of the party’s lekgotla, ANC Greater Johannesburg regional secretary Sasabona Manganye stated that a motion of no confidence is not needed and the party plans to fill the position with its own candidate. The exact timing of Gwamanda’s resignation remains unspecified.

# The Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety and Security Liaison says the investigation into last week’s deadly crash between a train and a scholar transport bus will take about 30 days to complete. Six pupils died and 19 others were injured in the accident. The Railway Safety Regulator says a preliminary probe has revealed that the driver of the scholar transport did not adhere to the road signage at the level crossing. The department’s spokesperson, Moeti Mmusi, says more allegations could arise:

# Several countries have warned their citizens to be careful when travelling to the United Kingdom after the weekend’s unrest when rioters targeted hotels housing asylum seekers. Countries such as Nigeria, Malaysia, and Indonesia, with a majority of Muslim citizens, issued travel alerts after mosques were targeted. Sky News reports British prime minister Keir Starmer announced an army of special officials will tackle the riots which started after the murders of three young girls in a knife attack in Southport, England, earlier this month.

# Olympic Games: South Africa’s middle-distance runner Prudence Sekgodiso finished eighth in the women’s 800-metre final in Paris. The 22-year-old, participating in her first Games, stuck with the leaders for most of the race but faded in the final 50-metre. Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson won the race. Meanwhile, Wayde van Niekerk and Shaun Maswanganyi finished third in their respective heats to qualify automatically for the men’s 200-metre semifinals. Zakithi Nene and Lythe Pillay have both also qualified for the men’s 400-metre semifinals.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-48-cents and the euro at 20-rand-26-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-67-cents and Bitcoin trades at 54-thousand-510-dollars-53-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-408-dollars-71-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-22-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….