News 06:00

BULLETIN 2 July 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC sets a new date for Zuma’s disciplinary hearing
# The announcement of the Gauteng Cabinet is postponed again
# And the US Supreme Court rules Trump may claim immunity from criminal prosecution

# The ANC National Disciplinary Committee has set the 17th of this month for the disciplinary hearing of suspended former president Jacob Zuma. The hearing was previously postponed in May due to what was cited as security concerns after the committee was advised to hold the hearing after the general elections. Zuma was suspended from the ANC in January after announcing he would vote and campaign for the MK Party. The committee has charged the former president with two counts of misconduct. The hearing will be held virtually.

# President Cyril Ramaphosa’s new cabinet announcement has sparked a significant rally in South African shares and bonds, easing investor concerns. Key positions were given to business-friendly opposition politicians, with Enoch Godongwana retained as Finance minister. This move signals a continued commitment to prudent fiscal policy. Economist Dawie Roodt says bond yields fell, and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s all-share index rose:

# The Solidarity School Support Centre has applauded the appointment of Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube to address education challenges. SOS CEO Leon Fourie expressed confidence in her abilities, highlighting her public service and policy background as national spokesperson of Health and DA chief whip. He says SOS emphasises the need for school autonomy, teacher development, technology integration, innovative teaching methods, and equitable resources:

# The announcement of the Gauteng provincial Cabinet was postponed yesterday evening after the ANC and the DA were deadlocked in negotiations over positions. The DA voted with the ANC and other smaller parties to form the provincial government of unity, ensuring Panyaza Lesufi was elected as premier. ANC provincial secretary TK Nciza says they will not allow themselves to be bullied:

# The US Supreme Court has ruled that former presidents are entitled to absolute immunity from prosecution for official acts taken while in office, but have no immunity for unofficial acts. This ruling rejects a decision from a Federal Appeals Court in February, that found former president Donald Trump enjoyed no immunity for alleged crimes he committed during his presidency to reverse the 2020 election results. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who voted against the majority ruling, has warned of the stark long-term consequences of this decision.

# Rugby: Springbok number eight Jasper Wiese is off to Japan. The Urayusa D-Rocks announced the signing of the World Cup winner for the next season. He left England’s Leicester Tigers at the end of the previous season after relocating from the Cheetahs in 2020. The Japanese club is coached by former Springbok Johan Ackerman. Wiese is still serving a six-match ban for foul play during Leicester’s Premiership game against Exeter Chiefs last month, meaning he won’t be available for the Boks’ next four Tests.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-37-cents and the euro at 19-rand-73-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-23-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-820-dollars-44-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-332-dollars-54-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 86-dollars-67-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….