News 07:00

BULLETIN 6 July 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Malatsi denies undue influence in his meetings with Starlink and other companies
# A second suspect is arrested for the theft of precious stones worth 15-million-rand
# And motorsport: Charles Leclerc wins the British Grand

# Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, has denied that his engagement with Starlink and other global satellite companies influenced his decision-making. This comes after former DA leader John Steenhuisen claimed that Resolve Communications, owned by former DA leader Tony Leon, used its proximity to senior party leaders to facilitate meetings between DA ministers and its private sector clients, including Elon Musk’s Starlink. Malatsi says none of his meetings with Starlink and other satellite companies discussed individual license applications, adding that the engagements were part of his work.

Meanwhile, former DA leader, Tony Leon, has also strongly denied allegations that his public relations firm, Resolve Communications, wielded improper political influence inside the government of national unity. In an interview with News24, Leon stated that he did not personally request any meetings between Malatsi and Starlink. He added that his company has acted lawfully and transparently:

# The South African Human Rights Commission will, from today, convene the second leg of the National Investigative Hearing into South Africa’s Food Systems. The first phase of the hearings was held in March this year, during which the Commission received evidence from a range of stakeholders. The commission spokesperson, Wisani Baloyi, says the inquiry is grounded in section 27 of the Constitution, which guarantees that everyone has the right to have access to sufficient food:

# The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has arrested a second suspect in connection with the alleged theft of precious stones worth nearly 15-million-rand from a home in Killarney, Johannesburg, in 2023. The first suspect was apprehended on Friday, while the second handed himself over to the police at the Edenvale Police Station. IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping says the suspects are facing a charge of corruption because of their unlawful conduct in the alleged raid and seizure of precious stones.

# Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu says he disagrees with US vice president JD Vance’s comments that America is Israel’s sole powerful ally anywhere left in the entire world. Vance has criticised Israel for refusing to withdraw from Lebanon. Israel has continued strikes in southern Lebanon, targeting the terrorist group Hezbollah. This is despite the cessation of fighting in Lebanon being one of the key provisions in the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran. Netanyahu says Israel has some other friends besides the US, like India.

# Motorsport: Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc claimed his first race win of the season by winning a chaotic British Grand Prix. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who appeared to be on course for victory, finished outside the points after experiencing a technical issue with his car. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen crashed out of the race with four laps remaining. Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate George Russell finished second with Leclerc’s teammate Lewis Hamilton in third. Russel has reduced Antonelli’s title lead to 25 points with Hamilton seven points further adrift.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-23-cents and the euro at 18-rand-55-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-66-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-720-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-196-dollars-51-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-72-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….