News 07:00

BULLETIN 5 September 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The IMF says South Africa must implement bold reforms
# The DA accuses ActionSA of hypocrisy and undermining the Tshwane coalition
# And rugby: Kolbe expects a tougher encounter against the All Blacks

# The International Monetary Fund says South Africa’s economy has shown resilience in the face of massive disruptions, but persisting structural challenges risk a further erosion of living standards. The fund’s executive board conducted a post-financing assessment of the country. The IMF says the new government should use the opportunity of a new mandate to implement bold reforms, address long-standing challenges, and achieve the economy’s full potential. It adds that structural reforms are paramount to support job creation, growth, and prosperity.

# Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts calls for strong systems and internal controls to be established in the Departments of Health and Justice to protect the state against the actions of fraudulent law firms. The Special Investigating Unit has revealed that it has prevented a potential loss to the state of three-billion-rand in fraudulent medico-legal claims. Scopa chairperson, Songezo Zibi, says it is also important to note that there are many valid claims that must be processed properly:

# The DA has warned that ActionSA’s actions could destabilise the Tshwane coalition government by aligning with the EFF. They accuse ActionSA of hypocrisy for criticising the coalition’s performance while holding a key leadership role as deputy mayor. According to the party, the EFF’s track record of governance in Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni, marked by corruption and chaos, sets a dangerous precedent. The DA’s Kwena Moloto says ActionSA is prioritising political ambitions over the interests of residents:  

# An American woman is trying to prevent her extradition from Britain to stand trial for the murder of two of her children, and attempted murder of the third. Thirty-six-year-old Kimberlee Singler fled to London after the bodies of nine-year-old Elianna and seven-year-old Aden Wentz were found in Colorado Springs in December during a protracted custody battle with her ex-partner. Her eleven-year-old daughter was wounded. Singler’s lawyer told the Westminster Magistrate’s Court she faces a mandatory life sentence, which is a breach of her human rights.

# Rugby: Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe says they are expecting an even tougher and more intense encounter against New Zealand in the Rugby Championship in Cape Town on Saturday. South Africa staged a strong comeback to beat the All Blacks 31-27 in Johannesburg last Saturday. Bok coach Rassie Erasmus is set to name his team for the clash today. Kolbe says what will be important is getting off to a fast start, accurate execution, and sticking to their structures:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-85-cents and the euro at 19-rand-78-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-48-cents and Bitcoin trades at 57-thousand-795-dollars-37-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-496-dollars-59-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-94-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The SA Agulhas Two, an icebreaking polar supply and research ship, is set to depart from Cape Town to Gough Island today for the 2024 Relief Voyage. The island hosts the South African weather observation station. The ship owned by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment will transport the Gough 70 Relief team and cargo to the weather station. The department says the station assists with data collection, scientific research, and monitoring the impacts of severe weather events on the South African coastline.

Stay tuned for more news………….