News 06:00

BULLETIN 2 September 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Solidarity blames the government for the job losses in the steel industry
# The Special Investigation Unit’s probe into the Financial Management System expanded
# And cricket: South Africa and England face off in their first ODI in Leeds today

# Trade union Solidarity says more than four-thousand jobs are at risk as ArcelorMittal South Africa prepares to close its long steel plants in Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal, and Vereeniging in Gauteng, including Vanderbijlpark. The union blames government inaction, citing high electricity costs, weak rail systems, and insufficient import protections. They pledge to support affected members using all legal and labour measures to protect jobs. Solidarity’s Willie Venter warns the closures could trigger wider retrenchments across other industries:

# Communications and Technologies minister Solly Malatsi has raised concern over the rise of artificial intelligence-generated content. Addressing the Media 20 Summit in Johannesburg, Malatsi warned that deepfakes can be weaponised to mislead citizens and manipulate narratives. The minister says that while AI offers many benefits, it also poses unprecedented risks if misused. He stressed the urgent need for responsible AI governance and ethical guidelines to ensure emerging technologies strengthen public discourse:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed a proclamation that broadens the scope of a Special Investigating Unit’s probe into the Integrated Financial Management System tender. Initially, the unit was only focusing on the National Treasury. The investigation has now been broadened to include the State Information Technology Agency and the Department of Public Service and Administration. It will include any alleged serious maladministration in connection with the affairs of Sita and the department, improper or unlawful conduct by employees, and unlawful appropriation or expenditure of public money.

# The Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court has granted bail to two Lesedi Secondary School learners accused of premeditated murder. Grade 12 learner Mlehalinye Montasi was granted six-thousand-rand bail, while Grade 10 learner Kgotlhello Mathabathe received three-thousand-rand bail. They allegedly stabbed fellow learner Lethabo Mokonyane on 17 June after an altercation. The National Prosecuting Authority says despite concerns about flight risk and witness interference, bail was approved under strict conditions. The case resumes on 10 October 2025.

# The leaders of France and Britain will on Thursday co-chair a Paris summit involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This is part of a new international push to broker an end to Russia’s three-and-a-half-year invasion. The gathering of the so-called “Coalition of the Willing” will comprise some 30 mainly European countries. Some leaders will attend in person, and others by video. The leaders will discuss work on security guarantees for Ukraine carried out in recent weeks and take stock of the consequences to be drawn from Russia’s attitude towards peace.

# Cricket: The Proteas, fresh from a mixed-outcome white ball series in Australia, face England in the first of three one-day matches at Headingly in Leeds today. South Africa won the ODI series against the Aussies 2-1 after losing 1-2 in the T20 series. The Proteas are currently sixth in the ODI world rankings and England eighth. The remaining ODIs will be played at Lord’s on Thursday and Southampton on Saturday, followed by T20s in Wales, Manchester, and Nottingham from next Wednesday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-61-cents and the euro at 20-rand-63-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-85-cents and Bitcoin trades at 108-thousand-794-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-477-dollars-92-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-3-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….