News 08:00

BULLETIN 13 July 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# COSATU demands prosecution of implicated persons in the VBS Bank loot
# Contingency measures implemented for flooded healthcare facilities in the Western Cape
# And, rugby: Currie Cup victories for Lions and Griquas

# COSATU says it is alarmed by revelations in a leaked affidavit by former VBS Mutual Bank chairperson Tshifhiwa Matodzi. He implicated high-ranking politicians. Matodzi was sentenced to 15 years in prison after entering a plea deal with the State. He pleaded guilty to 33 charges of theft, fraud, money laundering and racketeering, relating to theft of more than 1.9-billion-rand from VBS bank accounts. Cosatu calls on authorities to prosecute those involved, irrespective of their positions.

# Nursing organisation Denosa says contingency measures have been swiftly implemented across healthcare facilities in the Western Cape following severe flooding. Measures include staff deployment to unaffected areas and provision of special leave for affected staff. Several clinics and hospitals, particularly in low-lying areas like the Cape Town metro and Paarl, have been forced to close due to inundation. Denosa’s secretary, Sabelo Ntshanga, says Groote Schuur Hospital is arranging accommodation for essential personnel:

# Data from the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group indicates the 2024 minimum wage is inadequate for basic needs. The group suggests a minimum of 40-rand-per hour is needed. Despite an 8.5-percent increase in March, bringing the wage to 27.58-rand-per-hour, the group’s director Mervyn Abrahams, told Newzroom Afrika this traps workers in poverty. He says the current wage doesn’t support a dignified household, leaving families reliant on borrowing:

# Rugby: The Lions demolished the Pumas 75-21 in Mbombela last night, with Tapiwa Mafura scoring a hat-trick of tries in the Currie Cup encounter. The debutant Sam Francis contributed 30 points with eight conversions, three penalties and a try. In Kimberley, Griquas stunned a Springbok-packed Sharks outfit in a ten-try thriller and a score of 34-31. In today’s only game the Cheetahs welcome Western Province to Bloemfontein before the big Test clash between the Springboks and Ireland in Durban. Tomorrow the Blue Bulls and the Griffons meet in Welkom.

# And, adult diapers are now outselling baby diapers in Japan as birth rates plummet and society ages. With 29-percent of the population over 65, the adult diaper market is projected to grow by 16-percent to over 10.7-billion-rand by 2027, while baby diaper sales will shrink by eight-percent to 9.5-billion-rand. Diaper company Oji Holdings says it will stop selling baby diapers, while Daio Paper says it has increased adult diaper production, though it will continue making baby diapers.

Stay tuned for more news………….