News 06:00

BULLETIN 28 August 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Gift of the Givers is on standby to rescue six South Africans from the Nepal-Tibet floods
# The former architect of Nkandla is ordered to repay 147.2-million-rand
# And rugby: Five teams are competing for the final two Currie Cup semifinal spots

# Gift of the Givers has a team on standby to travel to Nepal to rescue or recover at least six South Africans reported missing following devastating flash floods on the Nepal-Tibet border. More than 350 people have died, and over one-thousand-300 are missing, including from India, the US, Australia, Canada and the UK. Gift of the Givers director doctor Imtiaz Sooliman says they are in constant communication with the Nepalese Disaster Management:

# Government has condemned the killing of a Western Cape Tactical Response Team officer, Zamani Mzayiya, who was deployed in Knysna to investigate recent murders, including that of former mayor Aubrey Tsengwa. It has vowed that those responsible will be brought to justice. Government deputy spokesperson William Baloyi urged the public to report criminal activity and provide information that could assist the investigation:

# The Special Tribunal has ordered former Nkandla project architect Minenhle Makhanya to repay the National Treasury 147.2-million-rand. This is for losses linked to unlawful conduct during the security upgrades at former president Jacob Zuma’s private residence. The tribunal found that Makhanya’s appointment was unlawful and that he authorised work beyond the security requirements for the upgrades. As a result, the project cost escalated from the approved 27.9-million-rand to 216-million-rand. The SIU says any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during the investigation will be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority.

# The DA says only 202 public schools have been built in Gauteng over the past 32 years, an average of about six schools a year. According to the party, only one school is currently under construction, despite the province needing at least 200 more schools to address overcrowding. The DA’s Sergio Isa Dos Santos accused the provincial government of failing to deliver on promises to build new schools:

# Rugby: The weekend’s final group matches will establish the four teams in the penultimate Currie Cup round. Defending champions Griquas and the Cheetahs have already booked home semifinals. This leaves the Pumas, Boland Kavaliers, the Stormers, the Lions and the Sharks fighting it out for the remaining two spots. The Lions welcome the Stormers to Ellis Park tomorrow, and the Sharks and the Bulls will play in Durban. On Saturday, the Pumas and the Cheetahs will face off in Mbombela, and on Sunday, Boland will welcome Griquas to Wellington.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-97-cents and the euro at 18-rand-62-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 80-thousand-166-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-609-dollars-6-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-91-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The New South Institute has launched Statecraft 2026, an international congress on democracy and public institutions. The event will take place in Johannesburg from 22 to 23 September, bringing together policymakers, public servants, academics and governance experts. Discussions will focus on strengthening public institutions, improving service delivery, ethical leadership and making democracy work better for citizens. International speakers from countries including South Africa, South Korea, Chile and Nigeria are expected to attend.

Stay tuned for more news………….