News 06:00

BULLETIN 31 July 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa supports a continent-wide conference on migration
# OUTA welcomes the longer driver’s licence validity
# And rugby: The long wait for a proper All Blacks tour is over

# Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, says South Africa has reaffirmed its support for the African Union’s decision to convene a continent-wide conference on migration. The 49th Ordinary Session of the African Union’s Executive Council has decided not to discuss migration at the upcoming AU mid-term review meeting in Egypt. Lamola says a continent-wide convening on migration should consider migration holistically, including its relationship with peace and stability, economic development, regional integration and democratic governance:

# EFF leader Julius Malema says president Cyril Ramaphosa should not be treated differently from any other citizen and that the Phala Phala accountability process must continue. Malema told the media the ruling by the High Court in the Western Cape that halted Parliament’s section 89 impeachment inquiry sets a dangerous legal precedent by allowing courts to interfere in Parliament’s constitutional oversight role:

# The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse has welcomed Cabinet’s approval of ten-year driving licence cards for light motor vehicles. According to the organisation, the change will save motorists time and money and reduce pressure on the licence renewal system. OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage says the new ten-year validity period is not yet in effect, and motorists must continue renewing their licences under the current rules until the necessary legal changes are published.

# The Freedom Front Plus has lodged a complaint with the Public Protector against the Speaker of the Tshwane Metro Council, Mncedi Ndzwanana. This follows the DA’s urgent court application regarding the suspension of City Manager Johann Mettler. These are two controversial votes that resulted in Mettler being placed on precautionary suspension and Chief Financial Officer Gareth Mnisi, who is accused of tender rigging, being reinstated. The FF Plus says the Public Protector must also investigate possible political interference and the conduct of individual councillors who supported the decision against Mettler.

# Mediator Pakistan says negotiations between the US and Iran are ongoing despite escalating attacks in the Middle East. This comes as the conflict has expanded, with the US joining forces with Saudi Arabia to launch strikes targeting Iranian proxies in Iraq this week. The strikes killed at least 20 people and wounded 32. Yesterday morning, Jordan reported intercepting incoming Iranian missiles for a second day running. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Tahir Andrabi, says negotiations on the Strait of Hormuz are also ongoing:

# Rugby: The three-decades wait for a proper All Blacks tour of South Africa is over. The team will be officially welcomed at the Cape Town Stadium this afternoon before kicking off the tour against the Stormers at the same field next Friday. New Zealand will also play the Sharks, the Bulls and the Lions, three Tests against the Springboks in South Africa, and another in Baltimore in the US. The last time the All Blacks lost a weekday match in South Africa was against Free State in 1976.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-48-cents and the euro at 19-rand. One British pound costs 22-rand-20-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-816-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-110-dollars-26-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 91-dollars-91-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….