News 07:00

BULLETIN 31 July 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Three senior IDAC officials are suspended
# The latest attempt to rein in Trump’s attacks failed in the Senate
# And rugby: The Griquas welcome the Cheetahs to Kimberley in the weekend’s first Currie Cup action

# Independent Directorate Against Corruption chief investigator, Dylan Perumal, and senior investigators Brian Padayachee and Suneel Bellochun have been suspended pending disciplinary action. Their suspension comes days after president Cyril Ramaphosa accepted Andrea Johnson’s request to resign as IDAC head. The three have been accused of manipulating cases, among other allegations. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, says all IDAC employees will be required to undergo a lifestyle audit, and all cases currently before the courts will be reviewed:

Meanwhile, the National Director of Public Prosecutions advocate, Andy Mothibi, has committed to turning around IDAC within the next six months. This follows revelations at the Madlanga Commission, where it was revealed that Johnson authorised a string of investigations against Crime Intelligence and Political Killings Task Team officials without sufficient merit. Mothibi says his office has embarked on a reset project at IDAC, adding that accountability is the order of the day:

# The Transport Ministry has welcomed the cabinet’s approval to extend the validity of driving licences for light motor vehicles from five to ten years. The change applies to light vehicle and motorcycle licences, while heavy vehicle licences and professional driving permits will keep their current renewal periods. Ministry spokesperson Collen Msibi says the change will only take effect once the required legal amendments and public consultation process have been completed:

# The Ekurhuleni Council has resolved to dismiss the head of human resources, Linda Gasheka, the head of legal services, Kemi Behari, and the head of HR Services, Moloko Monyepao, following findings of misconduct. Gasheka and Behari were implicated at the Madlanga Commission, accused of protected suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department chief Julius Mkhwanazi, while also receiving 600-thousand-rand salary increases. Monyepao has been dismissed over alleged negligence that cost the metro two-billion-rand in revenue loss. The metro says the dismissal of the three follows the finalisation of disciplinary proceedings against them.

# The US Senate Republicans have once again blocked the war powers resolution to direct president Donald Trump to withdraw American troops from hostilities with Iran. The resolution failed in a 49-50 vote, with Democratic Senator John Fetterman voting with Republicans to sink the measure. This marks the second such war powers resolution that has failed in the Senate over the last two weeks. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer says this aimless war has been one of the biggest catastrophes in American history:

# Rugby: Defending Currie Cup champions the Griquas will welcome log-leader Cheetahs in Kimberley tonight in the first action of the third round. Tomorrow, the Stormers will host the Sharks in a coastal derby in Cape Town, followed by the Jukskei derby between the Lions and the Bulls in Johannesburg. Sunday will see Boland and Pumas against each other in Wellington. Boland is currently second on the log after winning both their first matches. The Lions are third, followed by Griquas, Sharks, the Stormers, the Pumas and the Bulls.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-51-cents and the euro at 19-rand-1-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-21-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-862-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-85-dollars-20-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-47-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….