News 06:00

BULLETIN 21 July 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says he is looking forward to working with Andy Burnham
# The DA introduces a bill to keep politics out of the Public Investment Corporation
# And, the Asset Forfeiture Unit secures an order against the Tembisa hospital syndicate’s assets

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says he looks forward to working closely with the new British prime minister, Andy Burnham, to maintain bilateral relations and expand the partnership between the two nations. Burnham is Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade, taking over from Keir Starmer, who resigned last month, bringing an end to his spell as the shortest-serving Labour Party prime minister in history. Ramaphosa says that, as one of South Africa’s top five export markets, the country values Britain as a trade partner that sustains opportunities for South African enterprises.

Meanwhile, Burnham has pledged to introduce a new political and economic model aimed at restoring stability and rebuilding public trust. In his first speech outside 10 Downing Street, Burnham promised to improve public services, create more jobs, improve mental health support and invest in young people. He also announced his first act as prime minister would be to tackle homelessness:

# The DA has introduced the Pension Protection Bill to end political appointments at the Public Investment Corporation. The party’s Mark Burke says the proposed law would replace political appointments with an independent, merit-based selection process and bar current or recent politicians from serving on the PIC board. Burke added the reforms are aimed at improving governance and protecting the pension savings of public servants:

# The Bureau for Economic Research says the government should introduce a bank-style curatorship system for failing municipalities to improve service delivery and financial management. The bureau argues, unlike failing banks, municipalities are often hampered by complex laws and political interference, delaying effective intervention. It believes giving the National Treasury the power to appoint professional curators could help prevent municipalities from collapsing, strengthen financial management, and improve the delivery of essential services such as water, electricity and sanitation.

# The Johannesburg High Court has granted the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit a final forfeiture order for 326-million-rand in assets held by corruption-accused businessman Hangwani Morgan Maumela and his affiliated companies. ​Forensic investigations revealed that the Maumela syndicate allegedly operated as a highly organised network that systematically manipulated the procurement systems at Tembisa Hospital. They were allegedly awarded inflated tenders and contracts amounting to about two-billion-rand. NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says the assets forfeited include high-end residential properties in affluent areas and luxury vehicles:

# Cycling: Participants in the gruelling Tour de France are furious with anti-doping testers for waking them in the middle of the night. Defending champion Tadej Pogačar of Slovenia describes the situation as inhumane. This follows after former champion Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark confirmed he was woken at two am, and Pogačar at five. Vingegaard retired from the tour following a crash during the 15th stage on Sunday. Other riders describe the testing as a complete lack of respect for the participants.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-49-cents and the euro at 18-rand-83-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-15-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-90-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-dollars-49-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 87-dollars-2-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….