News 15:00

BULLETIN 9 July 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Solomon Makgato is appointed as the acting divisional commissioner for crime intelligence 
# Sakeliga and NEASA file an urgent High Court challenge to stop the 2025 employment equity quotas
# And motorsport: Red Bull fires team boss Christian Horner with immediate effect

# National police commissioner Fannie Masemola announced the head of the Hawks in the Western Cape, Solomon Makgato, has been appointed as acting divisional commissioner for crime intelligence. This follows the arrest of Dumisani Khumalo and six others over fraud allegations last month. Masemola says they have full confidence in Makgato, and trust that his leadership will enhance efficiency and maintain stability within crime intelligence:

# Sakeliga and the National Employers Association of South Africa have filed an urgent application in the High Court in Pretoria to stop the implementation of the 2025 Employment Equity quotas. They argue the rules, which force companies with over 50 workers to match national race and gender targets, are unconstitutional and procedurally flawed. Sakeliga’s Piet le Roux claims there was no proper consultation, and the quotas don’t consider the unique needs of each industry.

Trade union Solidarity has meanwhile urged Bidvest to amend its bursary programme by 25 July or face legal action. The union says the current scheme unfairly excludes white children from low-income families. Bidvest offers a bursary scheme for African, coloured and Indian children of employees who earn less that 15-thousand-rand per month. Solidarity’s Anton van der Bijl says benefits should not be based on race:

# Lesotho has declared a national state of disaster over soaring unemployment and mass job losses as it reels from the economic fallout of US tariffs and aid cuts. The textile-dependent economy was already grappling with sky-high unemployment, especially among the youth, before president Donald Trump slashed aid and raised trade barriers. The law, which gives the government additional powers, including bypassing standard procedures, will be in force for two years. Ministries had already been ordered to allocate two-percent of their budgets to job creation efforts.

# Motorsport: Red Bull’s Formula One team manager, Christian Horner, has been fired with immediate effect after 20 years in charge. He led them to six constructors and eight drivers’ championships since 2005. Allegations of inappropriate behaviour made against Horner by a female colleague in February last year were dismissed following an appeal. High-profile figures also left over the past 18 months, including legendary designer Adrian Newey and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley. There has been an uneasy relationship between Horner and the Verstappens, particularly driver Max Verstappen’s father, Jos.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-83-cents and the euro at 20-rand-86-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-21-cents and Bitcoin trades at 109-thousand-57-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-290-dollars-12-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-68-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….