News 07:00

BULLETIN 29 November 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa will push for fair trade, debt relief, and climate funding at the G20
# The DA files a PAIA application over the Justice minister’s VBS report
# And rugby: The Sharks pick the strongest possible team to beat the Stormers

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa’s upcoming G20 presidency will focus on promoting fair trade, equitable debt relief, and increased climate financing. Under the theme of solidarity, equality, and sustainability, Ramaphosa pledged to advocate for the development priorities of Africa and the Global South. In his address to the National Council of Provinces, he stressed the need for stronger global cooperation to tackle poverty, inequality, and climate challenges, ensuring vulnerable nations have a voice:

# The DA has filed a Promotion of Access to Information Act application to access a report submitted to president Cyril Ramaphosa by Justice minister Thembi Simelane, linked to the VBS Bank scandal. The report received three months ago, investigates a 575-thousand-600-rand loan Simelane allegedly received for her Sandton coffee shop. DA spokesperson Glynnis Breytenbach criticised the President’s inaction, citing public interest and potential conflicts of interest. The party insists transparency is essential to restore trust in South Africa’s justice system.

# The EFF in Gauteng is demanding the immediate release of the forensic investigation report into the 179-thousand-550-and irregular expenditure incurred by the City of Ekurhuleni Housing Company. This expenditure stems from the appointment of Zingisani Nkamana as Chief Specialist in the Legal and Procedural Division of the Department of Legislature. At the time of his appointment, he was concurrently serving as a member of the Board of Directors for the Ekurhuleni Housing Company. The EFF says Nkamana must be removed and the money must be recovered.

# The Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements says it is engaging with the Auditor-General’s office regarding the issue of failing to spend funds earmarked for housing development. The department has failed to spend 99-million of the 231-million-rand advanced to it in the 2023/2024 financial year. Another implementing agent returned 103-million-rand to the department. The department says it has committed to upgrading 160 informal settlements in various provincial municipalities.

# British prime minister Keir Starmer has accused the previous Conservative government of running an open borders experiment. Nett migration to the UK was 906-thousand in the year up to June 2023, far higher than earlier estimates. A total of 1.2-million people are estimated to have arrived in the UK in the year ending June 2024, while 414-thousand left. Starmer says a new white paper, which will include proposals for legislation to reduce immigration, will be published imminently:

# Rugby: The Sharks will look to add to their tally of victories over United Rugby Championship title-holders when they host the Stormers at Kings Park in Durban tomorrow. They beat Glasgow Warriors and Munster who won the previous year. Back in the side are several Springboks – props Ox Nché and Vincent Koch, captain Siya Kolisi who will lead the side in the absence of the injured Eben Etzebeth, brothers Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse, Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am, Aphelele Fassi and Grant Williams. Kick-off is at 5 pm.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-8-cents and the euro at 19-rand-10-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-97-cents and Bitcoin trades at 96-thousand-129-dollar-96-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-645-dollars a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-70-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….