News 13:00

BULLETIN 24 August 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA welcomes the rationalisation of fuel prices
# Three people have been stabbed to death at a festival in Germany
# And, rugby: The All Blacks’ injury list lengthens before the Tests against the Springboks

# The DA welcomes the government of national unity’s announcement that a Fuel Price Intervention Plan will soon be tabled in Cabinet. The DA’s Kevin Mileham says this is a victory for every South African who has felt the pinch of high fuel prices. He says government could simply not afford to continue turning a blind eye to the plight of consumers, at a time when many are struggling to put food on the table:

# Eskom says from 1 April to 22 August, diesel expenditure was reduced by 10.6-billion-rand. This represents an approximately 75-percent decrease, compared to the same period last year. Eskom’s spokesperson, Daphne Mokwena, says the power utility’s strategic use of peaking stations, including pumped storage and Open-Cycle Gas Turbines, remains key in managing electricity demand during peak times. She says diesel consumption remains significantly below the projected figures for this winter:

# German police are searching for the attacker who stabbed three people to death at a festival in Solingen, in the west of the country, last night. Another eight festival goers are seriously wounded. Officers have confirmed the perpetrator is a single, unidentified man who remains on the run, but say there are few clues about his identity and motive. After the random attack, people were asked to leave the square where the festival took place calmly early this morning, but were warned that the perpetrator remained at large.

# Rugby: The All Blacks’ injury list is lengthening, with prop Ethan de Groot the latest to miss the two Rugby Championship Tests against the Springboks. He failed to recover from a neck injury that also kept him out of the second Test against Argentina. This follows injuries to lock Patrick Tuipolotu and utility back Stephen Perofeta. George Bower replaced De Groot in the squad. The first Test against the Springboks takes place at Ellis Park on Saturday, and the second one a week later in Cape Town.

# And, government congratulates the re-elected leadership of the Black Business Council, led by Elias Monareng as president. Government’s Communication and Information System’s Nonnie Nkothana says they recognise the significant role the council plays in fostering economic growth, creating employment opportunities, and advocating for policies that enable equitable participation in the economy. She says the council will build on its successes and further contribute to socio-economic transformation:

Stay tuned for more news………….