News 07:00

BULLETIN 12 July 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa will today deliver the eulogy at David Mabuza’s state funeral
# An Israeli official says Iran could still recover some enriched uranium
# And tennis: It is Alcaraz against Sinner in the Wimbledon men’s finals

# President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the eulogy at the State Funeral of former deputy president David Mabuza today, at Hoërskool Bergvlam in Mbombela. Mabuza, who passed away on Thursday, will be honoured with a State Funeral Category 2. He served as deputy president from 2018 to 2023 and played key roles in HIV and TB response, peace efforts in South Sudan, and provincial development. The funeral service will have full government and diplomatic honours.

Meanwhile, Government Communication and Information System Communications director, William Baloyi, says that around three-thousand mourners are expected at the funeral. International dignitaries are also expected to attend the service that will start at 9 AM. He also cautioned motorists about expected road closures from half-past-seven this morning to accommodate the proceedings and ensure public safety:

# Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment minister, Dion George, has condemned threats by fishing groups to block roads and disrupt harbour operations in St Helena Bay in the Western Cape from Monday. George says such actions will not advance community rights and has called for law enforcement to protect public safety. He warned that disruption and intimidation harm the communities they claim to support. The minister stressed that fishing rights disputes must follow proper legal channels.

# Israel believes Iran could potentially retrieve enriched uranium buried beneath one of the three facilities struck by US forces last month. However, an Israeli official told US reporters reaching the uranium at Isfahan would be extremely difficult, and any attempt would prompt renewed Israeli strikes. Israel assesses that Iran’s nuclear programme was set back two years. US president Donald Trump has been adamant that the nuclear facilities were destroyed. Iran denies seeking to develop nuclear weapons and says its enrichment of uranium is for peaceful purposes.

# Tennis: It took the Italian and world number one, Jannik Sinner, only three sets to knock out a struggling Novak Djokovic in their semi-final encounter at Wimbledon last night. The 38-year-old Serbian, who had fallen in his quarter-final encounter with Flavio Coboli on Wednesday, was not on form and was dominated by the 23-year-old Sinner. This ended Djokovic’s hopes of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title. In the other semi-final, Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz beat American Taylor Fritz to set up a cracker of a final with arch-rival Sinner on Sunday.

# And finally: South African National Parks has welcomed nearly nine-thousand visitors to the new Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretive Centre at Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State since its launch on 23 June. Most guests were domestic travelers from the Free State, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal. The centre’s popularity was boosted by winter holidays and SANParks’ free entry offer until 30 September. SANParks spokesperson JP Louw says the centre offers interactive exhibitions and fossil displays:

Stay tuned for more news………….