News 08:00

BULLETIN 22 July 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC welcomes the new leadership of the Higher Education Department
# President Ramaphosa suspends the Gauteng director of Public Prosecutions, Andrew Chauke
# And the World Health Organisation’s staff are attacked by Israel in Gaza

# The ANC has welcomed the appointment of Buti Manamela as Higher Education and Training minister, saying he is a seasoned leader with strong ties to the youth and student movement. His appointment comes after president Cyril Ramaphosa fired Nobuhle Nkabane, amid allegations of corruption over the appointments of the chairpersons of the Sector Education and Training Authorities boards. ANC spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, told Newzroom Afrika that they are confident in the new leadership of Manamela and deputy minister Nomusa Dube-Ncube:

Meanwhile, the MK Party says Ramaphosa’s decision to fire Nkabane was necessary and long overdue. The MK Party’s Mnqobizitha Msezane says the appointment of Buti Manamela as the new minister will transform the sector:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has suspended South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions, advocate Andrew Chauke, pending an inquiry into his fitness to hold office. He has been at the centre of allegations for many years that he has acted as a gatekeeper and has weaponised the National Prosecuting Authority to protect the politically powerful and corrupt. Ramaphosa says Chauke’s continued tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions, while facing serious accusations, would negatively affect the reputation of the NPA as a whole.

# The World Health Organisation says the Israeli military attacked its staff residence and main warehouse in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on Monday. The military entered the premises, forcing women and children to evacuate on foot toward Al-Mawasi. It says male staff and family members were handcuffed, stripped, interrogated, and screened at gunpoint. Two staff members and two family members were detained, but three were later released, while one staff member remains in detention. WHO demands the immediate release of the detained staff and protection of all its staff.

# Tennis: The Canadian Open in Toronto will be without some big names as Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic have all withdrawn from the tournament. World number one Sinner, who won Wimbledon earlier this month, says he needs to prioritise his health. Alcaraz, who owns a 48-6 record this season, says he has some muscle issues, and he needs to recover physically and mentally for what comes next. Four-time champion Djokovic has always maintained that his focus is on Grand Slams.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-61-cents and the euro at 20-rand-59-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-74-cents and Bitcoin trades at 116-thousand-916-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-390-dollars-26-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….