News 16:00

BULLETIN 8 August 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Home Affairs urges patience in Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina’s citizenship probe
# Cabinet notes increased life expectancy and healthcare improvements
# And, rugby: The Springboks are ready for the unknown against the Wallabies

# Home Affairs has called for space to conclude its investigation into the citizenship status of a Miss SA contestant. Preliminary reports indicate alleged findings that Chidimma Adetshina’s mother may have committed fraud and identity theft. This comes days before the pageant’s final on Saturday. The department stresses its commitment to transparency but will refrain from further public comments until the investigation is complete. South Africans are urged to respect due process and constitutional rights while avoiding inflaming divisions.

Several media outlets now report that Adetshina has withdrawn from the contest.

# Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, says the Cabinet has noted the significant improvement in the healthcare system, including an increase in life expectancy to 66-years. This progress is attributed to enhanced healthcare interventions, such as expanded antiretroviral therapy and vaccination programmes. According to Ntshavheni, the rise in life expectancy and reduction in infant mortality highlights the positive impact of government health initiatives on public well-being:  

# The DA has welcomed the commitment by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme Administrator, Freeman Nomvalo, to address the various challenges it faces. The scheme, which runs a multi-billion-rand annual budget providing study loans to eligible students at tertiary institutions, has faced challenges including deficiencies in the rollout of funds to millions of its beneficiaries. The DA’s Desiree van der Walt says she will request that the fund accounts to Parliament in the third term:

# The City of Cape Town says more than 100 motorists owe the city millions in unpaid traffic fines. This follows the arrest of two taxi drivers on Tuesday, each owing at least 100-thousand-rand in fines. The South African National Taxi Council acknowledged the issue but attributed repeat violations to the lack of dedicated minibus taxi lanes during peak hours. SANTACO spokesperson Makhosandile Tumana explains that commuter pressure and not owner targets, drive these repeated infringements.

# Rugby: The Springboks are preparing to face the Wallabies in the Rugby Championship opener in Brisbane on Saturday. Unlike during the Super Rugby era where players faced each other regularly, there will be much more of an unknown factor for both sides, with the South African franchises now playing in the northern hemisphere. Australia also has a new coach to add to the uncertainty. Bok prop Ox Nché says they will have to be ready for anything:

# And, the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-37-cents and the euro at 20-rand-9-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-33-cents and Bitcoin trades at 57-thousand-236-dollars-90-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-413-dollars-83-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-14-cent a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….