News 06:00

BULLETIN 14 August 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says Eskom’s restructuring process will be done responsibly
# The MK Party wants Ian Cameron to appear before the Madlanga Commission
# And rugby: There are only three group rounds left before the Currie Cup semifinals

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says government will undertake the process of establishing a fully independent, state-owned transmission company carefully and responsibly. He has endorsed the phase one report of the Eskom Restructuring Task Team, which confirmed the feasibility of establishing a Transmission System Operator with grid assets. Ramaphosa says the process must achieve three objectives: minimising financial, operational and fiscal risk; strengthening energy security; and contributing to reducing the cost of electricity:

# The MK Party has initiated formal proceedings in both Parliament and before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry against the chairperson of the portfolio committee on Police, Ian Cameron. His name was mentioned at the commission in connection with allegations that he was part of a plot by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption to remove suspended National Commissioner Fannie Masemola. Cameron has denied the allegations. The MK Party says Cameron must appear before the commission to give evidence, ensuring his version of events is officially placed on the record under oath.

# FMD Response SA has welcomed the first privately bought foot-and-mouth disease vaccines being delivered to private veterinarians. The organisation believes the rollout shows what the government and the private sector can achieve by working together. The organisation’s Andrew Morphew has urged the Department of Agriculture to regularly share information on where outbreaks are occurring and which virus strains are circulating, as it will help farmers and veterinarians make better decisions to protect livestock:

# The DA has unveiled a five-point plan to get Ekurhuleni working again ahead of the local government elections on 4 November. The party has pledged to tackle corruption, repair roads and infrastructure, improve water and electricity services, strengthen community safety and create more local jobs. The DA’s Khathutshelo Rasilingwane says better financial management and transparent governance will be key to restoring basic services and rebuilding public trust in the metro.

# Ukrainian farmers have been suffering huge losses since Russia occupied parts of the south at the start of the invasion in 2022. Ukraine is among the world’s largest producers of wheat, corn and sunflower seeds and around 90-percent of its exports go through the country’s Black Sea port. Attacks by Russian forces have almost halted agricultural exports. Ukraine’s main farmers’ union, UAC, warns of famine in some import-dependent countries across Africa and the Middle East, which are major buyers of Ukrainian grain, unless supplies arrive on time.

# Rugby: Only three group rounds remain before the Currie Cup semifinals. Griquas are currently on top of the log after three victories and one loss, followed by the Cheetahs. The Lions are third and the Pumas fourth. Boland Kavaliers are fifth, followed by the Stormers, the Sharks and the Bulls. Today’s matches see the Lions and Boland do battle in Johannesburg, and Griquas welcoming the Sharks to Kimberley. Tomorrow, Pumas will host the Stormers in Mbombela, and on Sunday, the Blue Bulls face the Cheetahs at Loftus.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-19-cents and the euro at 18-rand-67-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-83-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-520-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-357-dollars-14-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 89-dollars-26-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….