News 07:00

BULLETIN 24 July 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The EFF accuses the police of operating as a criminal syndicate
# Israel and Ukraine start talks on countering Iran
# And rugby: There are eight Junior Springboks in the Western Province’s Currie Cup squad

# The National Assembly has approved the Police Department’s 2025/2026 budget, with 262 members of Parliament voting in favour and 90 against, with no abstentions. Specific budget allocations for the department include 219-million-rand for the G20 conference security and 400-million-rand for the 2026 Local Government Elections. The EFF’s Leigh-Ann Mathys rejected the budget, calling the police service a criminal syndicate that protects illegal activities rather than fighting crime:

# The GOOD Party says the government must stand firm against pressure from the US, even if it’s costly. This comes after the US Congress approved a bill that could lead to new punitive trade tariffs. GOOD secretary-general Brett Herron criticised AfriForum and Solidarity for supporting an unfair move aimed at punishing South Africa for its ties with BRICS, its support for Palestine, and efforts to address past injustices:

# Eskom says establishing a standalone ‘GreenCo’ renewables unit will help attract private partners and meet green energy demand. Speaking at the Coal and Energy Transition Day in Johannesburg, Strategy and Sustainability executive, Nontokoza Hadebe, confirmed Eskom aims to develop 20 gigawatts of renewables by 2035 with five gigawatts from repowering old coal plants. Hadebe says Eskom Green will focus on solar, wind, batteries, and hydrogen, while Eskom Generation will retain fossil assets. The move supports South Africa’s energy transition.

# The Department of Correctional Services has dismissed claims that the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial accused Fisokuhle Ntuli was tortured at Kgosi Mampuru prison in Pretoria. Ntuli claims warders at the C-Max high-security section of the prison are abusing him, denying phone calls and access to his lawyers. Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng has ordered that he be moved to the Leeuwenkop Prison. The department’s spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, says Ntuli’s claims are unfounded and misleading:

# Israel and Ukraine have agreed to launch a strategic dialogue on countering the threat posed by Iran. Israel has repeatedly accused Iran of developing nuclear weapons, an allegation it denies, while Ukraine is regularly attacked by Russia using Iranian-designed drones. Ukrainian Foreign minister Andriy Sybiha met with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar, in Kyiv yesterday. Sybiha says Tehran continues to destabilise the region, advancing its nuclear programme and supplying weapons to terrorist groups. He adds that Iran is an existential threat to global security.

# Rugby: There are eight world champion Junior Springboks in the Western Province squad for the Currie Cup. Western Province gets their campaign underway with a North-South clash against the Bulls in Cape Town on Saturday. Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton is joined by teammates Xola Nyali, Wandile Mlaba, Oliver Reid, Herman Lubbe, Siya Ndlozi, Dominic Malgas, and Gino Cupido in the senior squad, although they will only be eligible for selection from next week, having returned home this week.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-52-cents and the euro at 20-rand-63-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-80-cents and Bitcoin trades at 118-thousand-987-dollar. Gold sells at three-thousand-390-dollars-9-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-4-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….