News 09:00

BULLETIN 28 July 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# ActionSA proposes the abolishment of deputy ministers
# Counterfeit goods worth more than 156-million-rand were seized
# And Thailand and Cambodia will meet today for peace talks

# ActionSA says its newly gazetted Constitution Twenty-Second Amendment Bill, if passed, would represent the most significant overhaul of the bloated national executive since the dawn of democracy in 1994. The executive currently consists of 32 ministers and 43 deputy ministers. ActionSA’s spokesperson, Matthew George, says some of the proposals in the bill include abolishing deputy ministers, empowering the National Assembly to remove individual ministers through motions of no confidence, and ending the president’s unilateral power:

# The SAPS has seized counterfeit goods valued at over 156-million-rand in nationwide raids. Police spokesperson Amanda Van Wyk says in the past three weeks, operations in cities like Mbombela, Mokopane, and Pretoria uncovered over 23,000 fake items imitating top brands, including Springbok apparel. She says that the crackdown, led by SAPS with SARS and brand officials, aims to protect trademarks, consumers, and the economy from the impact of illicit trade:

# The Gauteng Health Department has welcomed the judgment by the Supreme Court of Appeal in the matter involving the company Buhle Waste, and the awarding of the department’s medical waste tender. The court set aside the judgment of the Gauteng High Court in November 2023, which had declared the tender invalid, due to what it deemed an improper extension of the tender validity period. The department’s spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba, says their appeal was upheld with costs:

# Cambodia and Thailand leaders will meet in Malaysia today for peace talks following days of deadly clashes over an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of both countries and Laos meet. At least 35 people have been killed, over 200 injured, and more than 200-thousand displaced since fighting broke out last Thursday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says officials from the department will be on the ground to assist with the negotiations. He adds that he hopes the talks can achieve an immediate ceasefire.

# Soccer: England successfully defended their Women’s European Championship title by beating Spain in a penalty shootout in Switzerland. Mariona Caldentey had given Spain the lead in the first half, and Alessia Russo levelled the match for the Lionesses in the 57th minute. The game ended 1-1 after extra time. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made several saves as England won the penalty shootout 3-1. England manager Sarina Wiegman praised the togetherness and belief of her team:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-72-cents and the euro at 20-rand-84-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-82-cents and Bitcoin trades at 119-thousand-210-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-342-dollars-48-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-88-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….