News 06:00

BULLETIN 5 September 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The government claims South Africa’s economy shows signs of recovery
# Transnet faces a 26-million-rand maintenance backlog
# And a report finds Britain’s Grenfell Tower fire could have been prevented

# The Government Communication and Information System says South Africa’s economic growth in the second quarter indicates a solid recovery path. Statistics South Africa reported a 0.4-percent gross domestic product increase. Key sectors including finance, real estate, and electricity showed significant growth, with household consumption driving overall improvement. GCIS says while the government acknowledged challenges in agriculture and mining, it emphasised ongoing efforts to restore growth.

# The DA is demanding a clear timeline for deploying new crime-fighting technology, following crime statistics showing increased violence against women and children. The DA deputy national spokesperson on Police, Lisa Shickerling, criticised SAPS for lacking a definitive plan despite assurances. She emphasised the urgent need for innovative tools to protect vulnerable communities and strengthen law enforcement:

# The Auditor-General’s office has revealed that Transnet is grappling with a 26-billion-rand maintenance backlog. Briefing Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the AG’s office said that Transnet reported a six-billion-rand backlog for the year ending March 2024, exacerbated by poor asset management and security issues. Despite a 43-percent annual loss, Transnet anticipates potential profitability by 2025. Meanwhile, members of parliament voiced deep concerns over the company’s deteriorating operational performance.

# Municipal union Samwu is heading to the Labour Court to demand justice for a 5.4-percent salary increase owed to Tshwane municipal workers. The court has scheduled a hearing for 28 November. The union remains committed to securing the owed increases and ensuring compliance with the South African Local Government Bargaining Council. Samwu national spokesperson Papikie Mohale says despite a 2021 agreement for gradual salary increases, the City has repeatedly sought exemptions and refused to fulfil its obligations. 

# The Grenfell Tower fire that killed 72 people in London in 2017 was the result of a chain of decades of failures by the British government, dishonest companies, and a lack of strategy by the fire service. This is one of the findings of the Grenfell Tower inquiry final report. This was the UK’s deadliest residential fire since the Second World War. Inquiry chairperson, Martin Moore-Bick, says successive governments ignored, delayed, or disregarded concerns about the safety of construction industry practices:

# Cricket: Leicestershire seamer Josh Hull will make his England debut in the third Test against Sri Lanka starting on Friday. The 20-year-old left-armer replaces Matthew Potts for the final game of the series at the Oval, with England 2-0 up. Hull, who only made his first-class debut last year, was added to the squad ahead of the second Test following an injury to Mark Wood.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-86-cents and the euro at 19-rand-80-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-49-cents and Bitcoin trades at 57-thousand-946-dollars-55-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-495-dollars-48-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-72-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….