News 14:00

BULLETIN 7 August 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# PSiRA’s CEO says the Mpumalanga military camp was illegal
# Hamas appoints the mastermind of the 7 October attacks as its new leader            
# And, Olympic Games: Wayde van Niekerk will try to reach his first Olympic final since Rio 2016

# The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority’s CEO, Manabela Chauke, says the camp in White River, Mpumalanga, that was providing military training to 95 Libyan nationals was not accredited to provide the training. Chauke was giving an update on investigations related to the training conducted by Milites Dei Security Services. He says the regulator has suspended the service provider: 

# Construction Education and Training Authority CEO, Malusi Shezi, has been suspended amid a misconduct and interference probe. He faces allegations of corruption, procurement interference, wasteful expenditure and board capture. One of the allegations is that Shezi was involved in the appointment of a service provider with a contract capped at 35-million-rand, allegedly without the involvement of the supply chain management. He also faced criticism over a four-million-rand overseas trip for eight CETA board members.

# Hamas has appointed the mastermind of the 7 October attacks on Israel, Yahya Sinwar, as its new leader. This follows the death of Ismail Haniyeh in an alleged Israeli strike in Iran last week. Sinwar’s appointment reportedly signals Hamas’s continued hardline stance amid ongoing conflict and escalations. He was released from an Israeli prison in 2011 after serving 23-years, and is known for his role in tracking and executing Palestinians accused of collaborating with Israel. The move is said to have the potential to further intensify the regional conflict.

# Olympic Games: South Africa’s 400-meter world record holder, Wayde van Niekerk, will run in the 200-meter semifinals in Paris tonight. Van Niekerk finished third in his heat in 20.42 seconds to automatically qualify for the semis. The 32-year-old will try to reach his first Olympic final since his record-breaking run at Rio 2016. Van Niekerk says he will have to improve his time:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-29-cents and the euro at 19-rand-97-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-26-cents and Bitcoin trades at 57-thousand-464-dollars-20-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-396-dollars-19-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-36-cents a barrel.

# And finally, Altron has announced the passing of a member of the well-known business family and former CEO, Robbie Venter, at the age of 64. According to News24, the son of veteran businessman Bill Venter, a respected figure in South African business, led Altron from 2001 to 2017, leaving a lasting impact on the technology industry. Venter was also recognised for his early tennis career and his significant contributions to the business world. Altron says his death is a great loss, and he will be remembered for his leadership and dedication.

Stay tuned for more news………….