News 06:00

BULLETIN 3 July 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# There is good news for motorists as fuel prices decrease
# The DA in Gauteng fails to reach a deal with the ANC
# And a former South African police official, Peter Fouché dies as a Ukrainian soldier

# The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has announced that the price of 95 unleaded petrol will be lowered by 99-cents a litre, while 93 unleaded petrol will fall by one-rand-five-cents today. The wholesale price of diesel will drop by between 24-cents and 30-cents a litre, depending on the sulphur content. The price of illuminating paraffin will decrease by 18-cents per litre. This is the second decrease in petrol price consecutively in three months. The department says price decreases are due to international oil prices and the rand/US dollar exchange rate.

# The Public Servants Association has cautiously acknowledged the new Cabinet. PSA general manager Reuben Maleka emphasises the need for ethical, capable leadership to advance economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction. Maleka applauded continuity in key portfolios like Finance, however, he cautioned the overshadowing of essential services budgets due to cabinet size. He urges clear policy direction, efficient bureaucratic processes, and respect for labor relations to ensure stable public service delivery.

# The DA says it has failed to reach a deal with the ANC in Gauteng. Premier Panyaza Lesufi was set to announce his new cabinet on Monday evening, however, it was postponed due to negotiations between the ANC and the DA reaching a deadlock over positions. DA federal chairperson, Helen Zille, says they are not prepared to enter into a provincial government of unity where the ANC still thinks it has a majority:

# Police have rescued 12 businessmen and six students kidnapped for ransom in the last six months by a multidisciplinary team led by the SAPS anti-kidnapping task team. A 49-year-old Portuguese businessperson in Florida was the latest victim rescued in Snake Park, Soweto on Monday. SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe highlighted that the police had arrested 49 kidnappers and seized 21 vehicles and eight firearms in Gauteng, Northwest and Free State:

# A former South African police officer and British national, Peter Fouché, has died fighting for Ukraine. He joined Ukraine’s military as a combat medic and founded the charity Project Konstantin to support Ukraine’s front-line efforts. The United Kingdom government confirmed his death and is supporting his family. News24 reports, known for his viral video criticising Western delays in military aid, Fouché renounced South Africa due to its relationship with Russia:

# Rugby: Junior Springbok coach Bafana Nhleko has made five changes to his starting team for tomorrow’s World Rugby Under 20 Championship match against Argentina in Stellenbosch. Among the changes from the team that beat Fiji earlier is Jaco Grobbelaar, who will make his debut at lock. Nhleko went for a 6-2 split on the bench because he expects a huge forward battle from the young Pumas. Number three prop Zachary Porthen will captain the hosts at the Danie Craven Stadium, with kick-off at 7 pm.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-59-cents and the euro at 19-rand-99-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-60-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-110-dollars-30-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-331-dollars-34-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 86-dollars-42-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….