News 06:00

BULLETIN 8 September 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says public confidence in the police cannot be built unless corruption is rooted out
# The EFF is challenging the Impeachment Committee’s decision to rescind Madonsela’s recommendation as evidence leader
# And cricket: Gerald Coetzee returns to the Proteas’ ODI squad

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the alleged infiltration of the South African Police Service by criminals and vested interests, supported by corrupt members, cannot be allowed to define the police force. In his weekly newsletter, he says there are thousands of police officers who serve the country with honesty and courage. Ramaphosa says government cannot build public confidence in the police unless corruption is rooted out. He adds that crime cannot be defeated unless the police have the confidence and cooperation of the public.

# The EFF has filed an application before the Western Cape High Court, seeking to review and set aside the decision of Parliament’s Impeachment Committee to rescind the nomination of advocate Thandazani Madonsela as its evidence leader. President Cyril Ramaphosa objected to the appointment, citing potential conflicts of interest after Madonsela had previously advised the ANC on legal issues related to the impeachment process. Eighteen committee members voted to rescind Madonsela’s appointment, while nine voted against. The EFF argues that the decision was an abuse of process by the ANC.

# AfriForum plans to oppose Eskom’s proposed average electricity tariff increase of about 8.8-percent for 2027/2028. The organisation will submit formal objections to the energy regulator, Nersa, arguing that consumers should not have to pay for unnecessary or inefficient costs. AfriForum’s Morné Mostert says consumers are already struggling with rising living costs and high electricity prices, while businesses can afford the proposed increase:

# The DA says ongoing electricity outages in Johannesburg are putting households and businesses under pressure. According to the party, some areas, including the Johannesburg CBD, Lombardy, Kew and Gresswold, have experienced outages lasting several days. It blames poor management, ageing infrastructure and failures by premier Panyaza Lesufi’s government. The DA’s Nico de Jager calls for better security and maintenance of substations to prevent repeated power cuts:

# UK Chancellor John Healey has refused to rule out tax increases in next month’s Budget, after acknowledging government borrowing costs are at “historic highs”. The country’s long-term government borrowing costs reached an 18-year high last week, amid the impact of the US-Israeli war, which pushed the price of oil closer to one-thousand-596-rand-90-cents a barrel. Healey says the top priority is to support stronger growth across the UK while sticking firmly to the government’s fiscal rules:

# Cricket: Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee will get the chance to represent South Africa for the first time in three years in this month’s three one-day home matches against Australia. He was included in the squad of 16 players for the series, starting in Durban on the 24th. The second match will be played at the Wanderers three days later, and the final one in Potchefstroom on the 30th. Coetzee last played an ODI match for the Proteas during the 2023 World Cup in India.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-98-cents and the euro at 18-rand-59-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-65-cents and Bitcoin trades at 78-thousand-823-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-407-dollars-99-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 99-dollars-15-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….