News 18:00

BULLETIN 23 July 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Zondo reveals most corruption happens through public procurement system
# Solidarity urges employers to halt affirmative action plans amid legal uncertainty
# And rugby: Harry Potter hits back at Woodward’s comments over Wallabies ‘losing mentality’

# Former chief justice Raymond Zondo says the bulk of corruption occurs within public procurement. Speaking at the South African Council of Churches’ Anti-Corruption Conference in Johannesburg, Zondo revealed that over 800-billion-rand is spent annually, with procurement laws often abused. Zondo urged the establishment of an independent anti-corruption agency to monitor public tenders, as recommended by the state capture commission, warning that Treasury oversight has proven insufficient to curb widespread abuse:

# Trade union Solidarity warns employers not to submit race-based employment plans by the first of September, citing concerns over the legality of newly published government regulations. The union has taken legal action, claiming the regulations introduced by Employment and Labour minister Nomakhosazana Meth are unconstitutional and flawed. Solidarity’s Pieter Jordaan urged employers to stop preparing affirmative action plans, halt race-based appointments, and apply for exemptions before the deadline:

# The Johannesburg Stock Exchange All Share Index broke through a major milestone of 100-thousand points this morning. The index is up almost 20-percent this year. JSE Group CEO Leila Fourie says reaching the 100-thousand mark is not just a numerical milestone, but it is a powerful reflection of the resilience, innovation and operational excellence of companies listed on the JSE. She says it demonstrates that investors continue to place their trust in the South African market and in the ability of listed companies to drive growth and deliver value.

# Rugby: Wallabie winger Harry Potter has rubbished suggestions from World Cup-winning English coach Clive Woodward that Australia has a losing mentality. Woodward took aim at Wallabies captain Harry Wilson for kicking the ball into touch, rather than chasing a consolation try in their 27-19 defeat against the British and Irish Lions in last weekend’s first Test. Potter has blasted Woodward’s claim as unwarranted:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-57-cents and the euro at 20-rand-60-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-79-cents and Bitcoin trades at 118-thousand-60-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-412-dollars-50-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-65-cents a barrel.

# And finally, an algal bloom has turned the usually pristine South Australian waters toxic green and suffocated masses of marine life. According to the state’s premier, Peter Malinauskas, it is a natural disaster and should be declared as such under the country’s laws. The algal bloom occurs naturally but is caused by ocean warming, marine heatwaves, and nutrient pollution, all a direct result of climate change. It has been spreading since March and is now twice the size of the country’s capital territory, lining the coastline with dead wildlife.

Stay tuned for more news………….