News 07:00

BULLETIN 27 August 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA condemns the police’s ongoing failure to provide effective policing
# The ANC condemns the violence in the e-hailing and taxi industries
# And rugby: The Bok Women could guarantee a World Cup quarterfinal spot with victory against Italy

# The DA says Statistics South Africa’s Governance, Public Safety and Justice survey 2024/2025 shows that citizens are under increasing siege from violent crime. According to the survey, theft of personal property is the most common crime affecting South African individuals, but around 70-percent of victims choose not to report the crime. Only 36.1-percent of South Africans feel safe walking alone at night in their own communities. The DA’s Lisa Schickerling says SAPS continues to fail to provide effective policing:

# Sasol says a 30-percent US tariff on its chemical exports could impact 1.4-billion-rand in sales. Chief financial officer, Walt Bruns, said mitigation strategies include passing costs to customers or redirecting products to Asia. In addition, CEO Simon Baloyi said most US sales are produced locally, limiting exposure. Despite the tariff, Sasol posted basic earnings of 10-rand-60 per share for the year ending 30 June, boosted by higher chemical prices, cost controls, and a 4.3-billion-rand Transnet payout.

# The ANC condemns ongoing violence in the e-hailing and taxi sectors, including the recent murder of e-hailing driver Mthokozisi Mvelase at Maponya Mall in Soweto in Gauteng. The party has called for urgent dialogue between stakeholders and stronger law enforcement to restore stability and protect lives. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula warns that violence in these sectors threatens public order and service delivery. Mbalula urged police to act firmly against perpetrators:

# Iran has vowed to take reciprocal action against Australia, following the expulsion of its ambassador, Ahmad Sadeghi. Australia has accused Tehran of being behind anti-Semitic arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne. Ambassador Sadeghi and three other officials have been ordered to leave Australia within seven days. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese has also listed Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group. Iran’s Foreign ministry labelled Albanese as a weak politician, saying the accusation against the country makes zero sense.

# Rugby: Springbok Women assistant coach Franzel September says they have good momentum heading into their second World Cup Pool D match against Italy in England on Sunday. Following their comprehensive 66-6 win against Brazil in their opening match, victory against the Italians will secure a top-two finish for South Africa and a guaranteed place in the quarterfinals of the tournament. September says they don’t underestimate any opponent, and Italy will be a tough challenge:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-63-cents and the euro at 20-rand-50-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-73-cents and Bitcoin trades at 111-thousand-223-dollar. Gold sells at three-thousand-385-dollars-68-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-59-cents a barrel.

# And finally: KwaZulu-Natal premier Thamsanqa Ntuli will launch Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s resting place as a provincial heritage site today. Buthelezi, who was the founder of the IFP and one of the longest-serving members of the National Assembly, passed away in September 2023 at the age of 95. He also served as the AmaZulu Traditional Prime Minister for over six decades. Ntuli says the launch will signal the genesis of a three-year project aimed at preserving Buthelezi’s rich legacy.

Stay tuned for more news………….