News 06:00

BULLETIN 5 August 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says the government will not tolerate the construction mafia
# AfriForum reiterates that expropriation without compensation is unconstitutional
# And rugby: The Stormers get their inspiration from the Western Province, who beat the All Blacks in 1976

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is taking steps to root out the so-called construction mafia, who are disrupting building sites and new infrastructure projects. The country’s construction industry estimates that 180 public infrastructure projects worth 63-billion-rand have been delayed as a result of extortion, intimidation or violence before the intervention. Speaking at the opening of the King Nyabela Hospital in Mpumalanga yesterday, Ramaphosa emphasised that acts of intimidation and violence relating to the construction of public infrastructure will not be tolerated:

# The board of the Public Investment Corporation has reinstated its CEO, Patrick Dlamini, ending his precautionary suspension. Dlamini was placed on leave earlier this year while allegations against him were investigated. The board says an independent investigation found no evidence of misconduct that warranted disciplinary action. Dlamini will return to his duties with immediate effect. The PIC manages more than three-trillion-rand in assets, mainly for the Government Employees Pension Fund, making it Africa’s largest asset manager.

# AfriForum has told the High Court in the Western Cape that expropriation without compensation is unconstitutional as it continues its legal challenge against the Expropriation Act. The civil rights organisation argues that key provisions of the law violate the Constitution and should be scrapped or amended. AfriForum’s Ernst van Zyl says they will continue fighting to protect property rights, with the case set to continue until Friday:

# The EFF in Gauteng has announced Wonderful Segolodi as its mayoral candidate for Mogale City ahead of the 4 November local government elections. Provincial chairperson Nkululeko Dunga says Segolodi, a Kagiso-born community leader, has more than a decade of experience in municipal governance and community development. Segolodi’s track record includes initiatives supporting vulnerable communities, education and gender-based violence awareness. Dunga has called on residents to back Segolodi, promising improved service delivery and accountable local government.

# Qatar’s Foreign Ministry says efforts to reach a diplomatic solution between the US and Iran are ongoing, and no direct negotiations between the two sides are scheduled. There have been conflicting statements from both Washington and Tehran on whether talks had resumed. The ministry’s spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari, says mediators are coordinating closely to facilitate negotiations and exchange drafts of a potential agreement between both countries. He says a short-term solution is to pave the way for the resumption of dialogue:

# Rugby: The Stormers will draw on Western Province’s team of 1976 when they play the All Blacks in their tour opener in Cape Town on Friday. It’s 50 years since the home team last played New Zealand, winning 12-11 at Newlands. Assistant coach Rito Hlungwani says the current players were given a presentation of what happened in 1976 as motivation for an expected immense challenge at the Cape Town Stadium. Experienced Deon Fourie says they are aware of what a privilege it is to play the tourists again.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-37-cents and the euro at 18-rand-89-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-3-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-195-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-79-dollars-83-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-7-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….