News 06:00

BULLETIN 16 July 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Presidency criticises the DA’s disinformation around Mcebisi Jonas
# Minister Creecy dissolves the Road Accident Fund board
# And rugby: Etzebeth will extend his Test record to 133 caps on Saturday

# The Presidency has condemned what it says is the DA’s harassment of Special Envoy to North America, Mcebisi Jonas. The party claims the US denied Jonas a diplomatic visa in May this year and rejected his credentials. The Presidency states that the fact is that special envoys do not present diplomatic credentials to host countries in the same manner as designated heads of mission or other diplomats. It cautions citizens against treating disinformation from DA on matters of international relations and diplomacy as official government policy.

# The ANC says commissions of inquiry are essential instruments for justice, reform, and truth, especially when political interference or institutional failure hinders law enforcement. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula cites the State Capture Commission, which led to over 14-billion-rand in frozen assets, 5.4-billion-rand recovered, and more than 60 prosecutions. He calls for respect of due process, cautioning against trial by media and urging the public to support independent, constitutional mechanisms:

# Transport minister Barbara Creecy has dissolved the Road Accident Fund Board, citing governance failures and operational instability. Concerns include reckless handling of CEO Collins Letsoalo’s suspension, costly litigation, and failure to fill critical executive roles. An interim accounting authority will be appointed, and recruitment for a new board is underway. Spokesperson Collen Msibi says restoring stability and victim support is the top priority:

# The DA in KwaZulu-Natal is set to table motions of no confidence against eThekwini’s leadership for failing to assist flood victims. The party accuses the city of evicting vulnerable residents from shelters and forcing them to sleep on the streets, which is a clear violation of human rights. The DA’s Thabani Mthethwa demands the removal of city manager Musa Mbhele, mayor Cyril Xaba, and other officials for poor service delivery and stalled flood relief efforts:

# Russia’s foreign minister says he does not doubt that Moscow will be able to cope with any new sanctions from the US. At a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in China, Sergei Lavrov said Russia would like to see what’s behind Trump’s statement. He said it is 50 days now, but it used to be 24 hours, while they have also heard 100 days before. The Russian minister also said he understood there was “an enormous amount of pressure” coming towards the US from the EU and NATO leadership.

# Rugby: Lock Eben Etzebeth will extend his record as the most experienced Springbok player to 133 Tests on Saturday after being included in the starting-15 against Georgia in Mbombela. He will partner with Ruan Nortjé. Winger Kurt-Lee Arendse can reach the milestone of 100 points for South Africa if he adds just one try. The encounter will be the two countries’ third, with the Boks beating them 46-19 during the pool stage of the 2003 World Cup in Australia, and again 40-9 in Pretoria in 2021.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-90-cents and the euro at 20-rand-77-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-96-cents and Bitcoin trades at 117-thousand-621-dollar. Gold sells at three-thousand-329-dollars-57-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-15-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….