News 07:00

BULLETIN 2 July 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# OUTA urges Parliament to break free from party loyalty
# The Capitec CEO announces its customer base hits 24-million
# And vehicle sales for June surge with nearly 19-percent

# The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse says Parliament must reclaim its power by standing up to party loyalty and holding the executive accountable without fear. They call for a people-centred approach to oversight that puts citizens first, urging members of Parliament to focus on serving the people, not their parties or leaders. OUTA’s Rachel Fischer believes fearless, independent oversight is key to protecting democracy and serving the public interest:

# Outgoing Capitec CEO Gerrie Fourie has credited the success of the bank to simplicity, affordability, and consistent focus on client needs. Speaking to SABC News, Fourie reflected on eleven years of leadership, during which the bank grew from five to over 20-million clients. Fourie, who retires on 18 July, says despite digital growth, physical branches remain vital. He believes unemployment could drop ten-percent if entrepreneurs receive better support:

# The Automotive Business Council says June new-vehicle sales jumped 18.7-percent year-on-year to 47-thousand-294 units. According to Naamsa, this was driven by strong consumer and fleet demand. Passenger car sales rose 21.7-percent, while light commercial vehicles grew 14.9-percent. Meanwhile, medium truck sales surged nearly 25-percent, however, heavy truck and bus sales dipped 3.1-percent. Imports soared, while locally built model sales fell 14-percent. Naamsa warns of growing trade policy risks, especially from the US, urging market diversification and regional expansion.

# The DA says the recent mass shooting in Gugulethu’s Kanana informal settlement exposes the serious under-resourcing of the Western Cape Police Service. Seven people were killed over the weekend, with three others escaping the attack. The party argues Gugulethu police station serves nearly 100-thousand residents with only 179 officers, well below the recommended ratio. The DA’s Thomas Walters extended condolences to the victims’ families, demanding justice and urgent reform: 

# A heatwave continues to grip Europe as the UK measured a 33.6 Celsius high in Kent, making it the hottest day of the year so far. In western Turkey, 50-thousand people have been evacuated during wildfires. Two people have died in Italy, and parts of Portugal and Spain recorded their highest ever June temperatures. In France, a red alert – the highest extreme heat warning – is in place across 16 regions, including Paris, where the top of the Eiffel Tower remains closed.

# Tennis: Top seed Jannik Sinner eased into the Wimbledon second round on Tuesday, brushing aside fellow Italian Luca Nardi in straight sets. Sinner barely broke a sweat in a 6-4, 6-3, 6-0 victory lasting just one hour and 48 minutes. Sinner has failed to reach the Wimbledon final in his four visits, with his best effort a semifinal in 2023. Meanwhile, the seventh seed Lorenzo Musetti was eliminated in the first round by Georgian qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili. Musetti’s exit means 10 men’s seeds have already fallen before the conclusion of the first round.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-60-cents and the euro at 20-rand-79-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-20-cents and Bitcoin trades at 105-thousand-661-dollar. Gold sells at three-thousand-331-dollars-63-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-93-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….