News 06:00

BULLETIN 29 August 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa receives the close-out report of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council
# Commissioner Masemola urges unity against transnational crime
# And rugby: The Sharks make six changes to their starting-15 to face Boland Kavaliers

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the recommendations made in the close-out report of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council need to be thoroughly reviewed and, where appropriate, be acted upon without delay. The president chaired a meeting of the council yesterday, where he received the report. The recommendations include the establishment of a permanent, independent, overarching anti-corruption body and the use of Artificial Intelligence to prevent corruption. Ramaphosa says the recommendations will, as a matter of priority, receive the attention of the National Executive and the relevant institutions.

# National Police commissioner Fannie Masemola says transnational crime is on the rise, calling for stronger global cooperation through Interpol. Speaking at the Interpol African Regional Conference in Cape Town, Masemola highlighted the need for African nations, starting with SADC, to unite before engaging globally. Delegates stressed targeting drug manufacturers and distributors rather than small carriers. He noted cyberspace as a growing crime frontier, urging joint strategies to disrupt international syndicates at the source:

# The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse has confirmed it will continue its legal action in the High Court in Johannesburg to have former Johannesburg Property Company CEO, Helen Botes, declared a delinquent director. Botes plans to defend the application, which seeks to prevent her from holding any directorship in the future. OUTA’s Stefanie Fick believes the company’s failure led to the Usindiso building fire, which claimed at least 76 lives in August 2023:

# While a deal with Russian president Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine continues to elude US President Donald Trump, China’s leader Xi Jinping is getting ready to host Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un in Beijing. The Chinese leader has been trying hard to project Beijing’s power on the international stage, not just as the world’s second-largest economy, but also as a diplomatic heavyweight. He has emphasised China’s role as a stable trading partner and that his influence on both Kim and Putin may prove crucial in any deal.

# Rugby: The Sharks have made six changes to their starting team for Saturday’s penultimate pool round of the Currie Cup against the Boland Kavaliers in Pietermaritzburg. The hosts are upbeat after a bonus point victory against Western Province last week. Siya Masuku makes his first appearance in the tournament this year at flyhalf, Paschal Ekeji plays on the wing, while Albie Bester comes in at inside centre. Amongst the forwards, Jacques Marais comes in at hooker and Jannes Potgieter at flank, while Mawande Mdanda is the new tighthead prop.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-67-cents and the euro at 20-rand-64-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-87-cents and Bitcoin trades at 112-thousand-502-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-415-dollars-31-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-49-cents a barrel.

# And finally: South Africa has joined the continent in observing African Traditional Medicine Awareness Day, in Rustenburg, North West province, highlighting the vital role indigenous practices play in healthcare. Over 80-percent of people globally, especially in developing regions, rely on traditional medicine. National Health spokesperson, Foster Mohale, says the day calls for stronger collaboration to advance research, development, and local production:

Stay tuned for more news………….