News 07:00

BULLETIN 28 August 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma will oppose Fikile Mbalula’s defamation lawsuit against her
# The MK Party expels two prominent MPs
# And cricket: CSA unveils a new-look domestic structure for 2026/2027

# ANC National Executive Committee member Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma says she stands by her statement that money has been used to influence votes in the party. She has filed a notice of intention to oppose ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula’s defamation lawsuit against her, over comments she made on the African Renaissance podcast. She accused Mbalula of openly dishing out money during the party’s national conference in December 2022 to secure president Cyril Ramaphosa’s re-election. Dlamini-Zuma says money’s influence in ANC leadership contests threatens the party’s integrity.

# The MK Party has expelled two of its prominent members of Parliament, Khanyisile Litchfield-Tshabalala and Pumlani Kubukeli, for bringing the party into disrepute. The party says the decision follows a series of acts and conduct by the two which have been detrimental to its reputation, integrity and overall interests. It says it has already begun the process of removing Litchfield-Tshabalala and Kubukeli from the National Assembly. The MK Party warns that all members are expected to conduct themselves in line with the party’s constitution and in the interests of unity.

# The Association of Meat Importers and Exporters says the revised import requirements are limiting the availability of Argentine oxtail in the local market. The organisation says the restrictions followed changes to South Africa’s veterinary certificate for Argentine beef. The association’s CEO Paul Matthew says the measures are affecting supply and putting pressure on consumers, calling for the rules to be urgently reviewed:

# The Western Cape Mobility Department says it’s taking action to stop violence on the Khayelitsha-Somerset West public transport route. The department, the City of Cape Town and the taxi industry have agreed to mediation starting on Monday to resolve the conflict. More traffic officers will also patrol the affected areas, while vehicles breaking operating rules will be impounded. The department’s Muneera Allie says the safety of commuters and drivers remains a priority:

# United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appealed for 17.59-billion-rand to fully fund an aid plan to combat the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Five-thousand-713 cases have been confirmed, claiming two-thousand-744 lives. The outbreak is the fastest-spreading Ebola epidemic ever recorded. Guterres says the government of the DRC and the World Health Organisation have appointed a UN Senior Ebola Coordinator, aligning behind five priorities:

# Cricket: Cricket South Africa has launched the 2026/2027 domestic season with a restructured competition format. The biggest change is the introduction of the Pro20 Cup, which brings together the former T20 Challenge and T20 Knockout competitions into a single premier competition. The expanded Pro20 will feature 16 teams from both Division 1 and Division 2, and an SA Emerging side. The One Day Cup now goes by the new name Dafabet Pro50. CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki says the restructured competitions create a clear and unified identity.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-98-cents and the euro at 18-rand-63-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-73-cents and Bitcoin trades at 80-thousand-398-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-578-dollars-50-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-71-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….