News 07:00

BULLETIN 7 August 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Kubayi says there has been no political interference at the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption
# The DA exposes a 34-million-rand luxury SANDF flight to Cuba
# And golf: There are strong South African teams for the 2025 World Amateur Team Championships

# Justice and Constitutional Development minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, says to date there has been no political interference in the matters that the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption has been dealing with. She was responding to a written parliamentary question from the EFF, regarding allegations of executive interference and undue political influence in investigations by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Kubayi says there are sufficient checks and balances in place to prevent any potential external or internal influence in investigations by the IDAC.

# The DA says the Department of Defence wasted nearly 34-million-rand on a luxury charter flight to Cuba for a South African National Defence Force graduation ceremony that had no operational value. The flight included over 200 personnel, with at least 25 generals flying business class with fancy meals and luxury comforts, while submarines remain grounded, soldiers lack basic gear, and suppliers go unpaid. The DA’s Chris Hattingh urges the Public Protector to investigate the wasteful expenditure:

# The Presidential Climate Commission met with Environment minister Dion George to discuss South Africa’s revised Nationally Determined Contribution. The update, recently approved by Cabinet, is now open for public input ahead of its UN submission in October. Covering 2031 to 2035, the nationally determined contribution aims to reflect stronger climate action. The Presidential Climate Commission urges all stakeholders to participate in consultations, ensuring inclusive input on the country’s transition to a climate-resilient, low-carbon economy.

# The Gauteng Education Department says several schools across the province have been affected by ground instability, air pollution, and proximity to illegal and legal mining activities. In some cases, schools have been relocated or placed on rehabilitation programmes due to safety concerns. The department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, says it has conducted assessments and is set to begin the rehabilitation programme on 13 schools in areas, such as Gauteng West, Centurion, and Ekurhuleni South, that face challenges from dolomitic ground conditions:

# Most organisations providing vital relief across Gaza will likely have to shut down their operations within weeks unless Israel withdraws its demand that they provide sensitive information about Palestinian employees. This is according to the Humanitarian Country Team in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Already, non-governmental organisations that have not registered under the new system are prohibited from sending any supplies to Gaza. The UN has urged Israel to reconsider its demand for sensitive employee information from NGOs, saying impeding their work violates international law.

# Golf: Two strong teams have been picked to represent South Africa at the World Amateur Team Championships in Singapore in October. Competing for the women’s Espirito Santo Trophy, which South Africa won in 2006, Kyra van Kan will make her debut alongside Megan Streicher and Bobbi Brown. The country’s top-ranked amateur, Christiaan Maas, will make his third appearance in the men’s Eisenhower Trophy. He is joined by debutants Dan Bennett and Charl Barnard. GolfRSA CEO Grant Hepburn has praised the depth of talent in the national squads.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-75-cents and the euro at 20-rand-70-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-71-cents and Bitcoin trades at 114-thousand-993-dollar. Gold sells at three-thousand-380-dollars-33-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-22-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….