News 13:00

BULLETIN 18 July 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Public Servants Association calls for decisive domestic action in response to global economic headwinds
# The GOOD Party wants the George building collapse report released
# And rugby: A late change for the All Blacks as Rieko Ioane is out with an injury

# The Public Servants Association is calling on government to demonstrate leadership, transparency, and urgency in its response to the challenges outlined in the South African Reserve Bank’s 2024/25 annual report. In the report, governor Lesetja Kganyago stated that South Africa is entering a more fragmented and less growth-friendly global environment. PSA’s spokesperson, Claude Naiker, says this highlights the urgent need for strong domestic economic policies and leadership:

# The GOOD Party in the Western Cape has reiterated its call for the Council for the Built Environment’s report into the deadly George building collapse to be tabled before council without further delay. Thirty-four people lost their lives and 28 others were seriously injured when a partially built five-storey building collapsed in May last year. GOOD’s Chantelle Kyd says they welcome the announcement that Public Works and Infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson will meet with the families of the victims this weekend:

# Build One South Africa says it is alarming that not a single employee in the national or provincial public service has been screened against the National Register for Sex Offenders. This admission was made by the minister of Public Service and Administration, Mzamo Buthelezi, in a response to a parliamentary question. BOSA’s spokesperson, Roger Solomons, says this is a staggering revelation concerning over 1.2-million state employees:

# The National Council of SPCAs has welcomed the imminent publication of the Lion Prohibition Notice banning new captive lion breeding facilities. Earlier this week, minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dion George, announced progress towards the publication of the notice, which is aimed at phasing out harmful captive lion breeding practices and reinforcing animal well-being. The NSPCA says this long-awaited reform marks a pivotal milestone in dismantling an industry built on systemic cruelty, reflecting years of legal action and public advocacy.

# Rugby: All Blacks winger Rieko Ioane has been ruled out of tomorrow’s third and final Test against France in Hamilton due to a tight hamstring. He will be replaced by Will Jordan, who will start on the right wing, while Sevu Reece will move to the left wing, with Jordie Barrett coming off the bench. Stand-in captain Ardie Savea says the way the team is connecting on and off the field, when people come in and out, is just seamless.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-68-cents and the euro at 20-rand-59-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-77-cents and Bitcoin trades at 118-thousand-950-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-350-dollars-58-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-55-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….