News 07:00

BULLETIN 25 August 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Lamola defends the delays in apartheid-era prosecutions
# MISA warns the longer licence period could risk road safety
# And, the Canadian prime minister vows to hit back at the new US tariffs

# Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola has defended his decision not to back a commission of inquiry into alleged interference in the prosecution of apartheid-era crimes. He returned to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Cases Inquiry yesterday for cross-examination. Lamola, former minister of Justice, said tight financial constraints facing the department and the National Prosecuting Authority have affected stalled TRC cases. He said competing demands forced the department to make difficult choices when families called for an inquiry into how the cases were handled.

# Suspended Police minister Senzo Mchunu has denied allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Hawks officer Deenadayalan Govender against him at the Madlanga Commission last week. Govender claimed Mchunu attempted to persuade him to blame several police shootings on the province’s Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mchunu’s spokesperson, Sithembiso Mshengu, told Newzroom Afrika that the allegation was made without any evidence and the minister rejects it with the contempt it deserves:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the fifth sustainable infrastructure development symposium in Cape Town today. The three-day event focuses on shaping the future of municipal infrastructure and bringing investment into sustainable projects. It brings together government leaders, mayors, development banks, businesses and experts from across Africa. Discussions will focus on infrastructure, housing, agriculture and digital development to support economic growth and improve service delivery. Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address at the Century City Convention Centre.

# The Motor Industry Staff Association is calling for regular health checks to continue if driver’s licence cards are extended from five to ten years. The association supports the move to reduce red tape but argues motorists should still undergo eye tests every five years to ensure they remain fit to drive. The union’s Phakamile Hlubi-Majola warns conditions such as poor vision can affect road safety:

# Canadian prime minister Mark Carney says the goal of trade negotiations with the US has always been to get the best deal for Canadians, never a deal at any price or on any time frame. The 50-percent US tariffs on an array of Canadian products took effect over the weekend. Meanwhile, president Donald Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs on vehicles on January first 2027. Carney says Canada will retaliate on September eighth with its own trade measures:

# Cricket: England fast bowler Brydon Carse has been withdrawn from the squad for the second Test against Pakistan, which starts at Lord’s on Thursday, following an incident outside a Derby nightclub. A video emerged of him in handcuffs being led away by police on Saturday night. The England and Wales Cricket Board has referred the incident to the Cricket Regulator to investigate. Carse, who has been replaced by Sonny Barker, is the third player to miss a Test because of a disciplinary issue over the past 12 months.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand and the euro at 18-rand-66-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-82-cents and Bitcoin trades at 79-thousand-737-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-671-dollars-28-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 93-dollars-30-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….