News 07:00

BULLETIN 2 July 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA demands answers over the diplomatic reception for Ajay Gupta
# Parliament is seeking clarity on the alleged ties between Starlink and Resolve Communications
# And rugby: Manie Libbok is expecting an epic encounter against England

# The DA says South Africa should not be seen to be engaging or facilitating meetings involving individuals linked to corruption allegations. The party has submitted parliamentary questions to International Relations and Cooperation minister Ronald Lamola over reports former president Jacob Zuma and state capture-accused Ajay Gupta were hosted during a visit to India. The DA’s Ryan Smith says government representatives must ensure state resources are not used to undermine the country’s anti-corruption stance:

# Parliament’s portfolio committee on Communications and Digital Technologies is seeking clarity from minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, on allegations regarding Starlink and the PR firm Resolve Communications. Former minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has alleged that Resolve, founded by Tony Leon, coordinated meetings between government officials and its customers to persuade them to support policy changes. Committee chairperson Khusela Sangoni Diko says these allegations raise concerns about historical precedents in the country, where private interests sought to direct government policy and executive decisions during the State Capture era.

# The Institute of Race Relations says president Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent cabinet reshuffle will not improve South Africa’s economic challenges unless accompanied by policy reform. The organisation warns that appointing new ministers without changing the existing policy framework will not reduce youth unemployment, improve economic growth or increase investment. The institute’s Anlu Keeve says the country’s economic outcomes have remained weak for years due to consistent policy direction, despite changes in leadership.

# Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says they are ready to enter into meaningful discussions with organisers of anti-illegal immigration protests and formulate proposals that will have a permanent solution. Provincial police arrested 154 people linked to incidents arising from the marches across the province on Tuesday. Twenty-seven hotspots across Gauteng remain under close monitoring by police. Lesufi says tackling the migration crisis is imperative:

# Amnesty International has accused the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces of committing crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing. The rights group documented how civilians in and around El Fasher were killed, injured, beaten, tortured, and detained between early 2024 and October 2025. This as the RSF fought the Sudanese Armed Forces and allied Joint Forces in North Darfur. Amnesty International says the RSF’s crimes included murder, forcible transfer, imprisonment, torture, rape, and sexual slavery. It adds that the war in Sudan is a war on civilians.

# Rugby: Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok says they are bracing themselves for a testing encounter against England in their Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park on Saturday. The team wrapped up their main training block yesterday. England coach Steve Borthwick will announce their team today. Libbok, who has embraced his role as a conductor, directing traffic and ensuring the Boks play in the right areas, says it’s his job to drive the team around the park:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-37-cents and the euro at 18-rand-63-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-75-cents and Bitcoin trades at 60-thousand-64-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-47-dollars-41-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-83-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….