News 07:00

BULLETIN 27 July 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Solidarity claims a court ruling exposes the NHI’s weaknesses
# Joburg mayor Gwamanda condemns calls for his resignation
# And, rugby: A Junior Springbok makes his debut for Western Province against the Bulls

# Trade union Solidarity says the recent ruling by the High Court in Pretoria declaring sections of the National Health Act unconstitutional weakens the act. Despite Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi’s denials, the union claims the ruling protects health practitioners’ rights and exposes flaws in the NHI. Solidarity’s Theuns du Buisson vows to continue challenging the NHI Act in court, citing widespread support from medical professionals:  

# Johannesburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda has denounced calls for his resignation from ActionSA and civil society groups. This comes as the Joburg Crises Alliance is holding a protest today calling for his removal. Gwamanda claims he’s being targeted due to his background as a black man from Soweto. He claims critics haven’t provided compelling reasons for his removal:

# The arrests of a Mexican drug kingpin and the son of his former partner is described as a major coup for US authorities which may reshape Mexico’s criminal landscape. Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and the son of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, face multiple charges. Investigators reportedly believe one of them fooled the other into getting on a private plane to El Paso, Texas. Zambada and Guzman co-founded the Sinaloa Cartel in 1987. Guzman is currently serving a life sentence in an American jail.

# Rugby: Junior Springbok loose forward Divan Fuller will make his senior Western Province debut in the Currie Cup encounter with the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld today. He is joined in the starting line-up by Wandisile Simelane, Sazi Sandi and Lizo Gqoboka, who all make their return from injury in the North-South clash. The only other change to the starting-15 sees Courtnall Skosan slot in on the wing in place of the injured Jared Africa. The match kicks off this afternoon at 5:15. In yesterday’s game in Welkom, the Cheetahs narrowly beat the Griffons 47-45.

# And, the Olympic Games: A world record was set when rugby sevens action kicked off in Paris this week. Sixty-nine-thousand spectators packed the Stade de France, making this the biggest crowd in sevens history. The organisers say the sport is one of the biggest attractions at the Games, with over half-a-million tickets already sold. The men’s competition concludes today, with South Africa playing the hosts in the semifinal while defending champions Fiji take on Australia, followed by the final. The women’s competition starts tomorrow.

Stay tuned for more news………….