News 07:00

BULLETIN 17 September 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The EFF slams the transfer of 300-million-rand from the National Lotteries Commission to the Treasury
# The suspect arrested for the assassination attempt on Trump is charged
# And cricket: The Protea Women beat Pakistan in their first T20

# The EFF says it is appalled by reports of the National Treasury receiving an unlawful transfer of funds from the National Lottery Commission. Treasury allegedly instructed the commission to transfer 1.2-billion-rand of its surplus funds to the National Revenue Fund last year. This is despite rejecting six-thousand-500 requests for funding from charities and individuals in the 2022/2023 financial year. The EFF says under Finance minister Enoch Godongwana Treasury has gone rogue, and is characterised by austerity and disregard for the law, and impunity.

# The Road Accident Fund has reported a 1.6-billion-rand deficit for the 2023/24 financial year, citing three years of no fuel levy increases. CEO Collin Letsoalo says the fund inherited significant challenges but remains functional. Letsoalo blamed the inherited system’s collapse on the private sector. He emphasised efforts to turn around the organisation through a new model:

# The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa says it has made substantial progress in revitalising its services, dismissing misleading statements from former CEO Zolani Matthews. According to the agency, the current leadership has restored over 80-percent of its rail network, introduced 226 new trains, and achieved an 87-percent operational performance. PRASA spokesperson Andiswa Makanda says the agency has improved governance, secured a 29-month operating permit, and enhanced passenger services for more efficient and reliable rail transport. 

# AfriForum will deliver 17-thousand signatures from its Save Pretoria petition to Tshwane’s coalition partners today. This comes after ActionSA’s announcement to exit the DA coalition. ActionSA says it considers a potential coalition with the EFF and ANC. AfriForum’s Ernst van Zyl urges ActionSA to reconsider, emphasising the importance of maintaining a stable coalition for the city’s future:

# The suspect in the apparent assassination attempt of former US president Donald Trump has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm with an obstructed serial number. Fifty-eight-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh was arrested in Florida on Sunday, after trying to open fire on Trump while he was golfing. Routh, who appeared in court yesterday, had criticised Trump on social media and is a staunch supporter of Ukraine. He could face up to 20 years in jail if convicted on both charges.

# Cricket: The Proteas Women defeated Pakistan by ten runs to win the first of three T20 matches in Multan. South Africa was sent in to bat first and posted 132 for four in their 20 overs. Tazmin Brits scored an unbeaten 56 off 63 balls, her 12th T20 half-century. In reply, Marizanne Kapp and Tumi Sekhukhune took two wickets each as Pakistan was restricted to 122 for five. Brits says the pitch was difficult to bat on:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-62-cents and the euro at 19-rand-61-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-27-cents and Bitcoin trades at 57-thousand-939-dollars-59-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-585-dollars-20-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-96-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….