News 06:00

BULLETIN 22 August 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says the SA-Japan partnership is grounded in resilience
# BOSA slams the infighting in the government of national unity
# And, the ATM criticises the Public Protector for delaying the  Senzo Mchunu probe

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa and Japan can jointly advocate for rules-based global systems that support fair trade, sustainable investment, and value chain integration. He addressed the South Africa-Japan Business Forum on the sidelines of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development Summit. Over 270 Japanese companies have a notable presence in the South African economy, sustaining over 200-thousand local jobs. Ramaphosa says it is an opportune time to strengthen the long-standing economic relationship between the two countries.

# Build One South Africa’s leader, Mmusi Maimane, has criticised the infighting within the government of national unity, and said South Africans are paying the price for political disputes. He argued that ongoing disagreements among GNU partners have stalled progress on key issues, leaving citizens to face poor service delivery, unemployment, and weak governance. Maimane called for new ideas, fresh leadership, and a focus on delivering tangible results for the country instead of continued political bickering:

# The African Transformation Movement has criticised Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka for delays in investigating suspended Police minister Senzo Mchunu. ATM Parliament leader Vuyo Zungula complained in July, accusing Mchunu of blocking 121 sensitive cases and dismantling the Political Killings Task Team. KwaZulu-Natal Police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi also alleged corruption and political interference. Despite a probe being confirmed, ATM warns that delays undermine national security. President Cyril Ramaphosa has since set up the Madlanga Commission led by retired judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga, to probe the matter.

# The DA is calling on Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi to fire Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko after the High Court enforced its ruling on the province’s cancer treatment backlog. Gauteng High Court judge Evette Dippenaar noted irreversible harm as patients died waiting for radiation, while others became ineligible for treatment. Dippenaar found the Health Department’s failure unlawful and unconstitutional. The DA’s Jack Bloom accuses the Department of stalling tactics that endanger lives:

# Russia’s Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov says any security guarantees for Ukraine would have to involve Moscow and its biggest ally, China, alongside the US, UK, and France. After the recent Donald Trump-Vladimir Putin summit in Alaska, US officials said the Russian president had accepted the prospect of Western security guarantees for Ukraine. France, Britain, and Estonia have indicated they could send troops to a postwar Ukraine. Lavrov says efforts to resolve issues of collective security without Russia won’t work.

# Cricket: South African spinner Keshav Maharaj is back on top of the world rankings for men’s one-day bowlers after his heroics in Tuesday’s first match against Australia in Cairns. He took his first five-wicket haul to help the Proteas beat the hosts by 98 runs. Thirty-five-year-old Maharaj overtook Kuldeep Yadav from India and Maheesh Theekshana from Sri Lanka to reclaim the top spot he held briefly at the end of 2023. Aiden Markram is the best-placed Protea ODI batter in 21st position.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-71-cents and the euro at 20-rand-56-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-75-cents and Bitcoin trades at 112-thousand-449-dollar. Gold sells at three-thousand-337-dollars-69-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-2-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….