News 08:00

BULLETIN 5 August 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC won’t interfere with the SACP’s decision to contest the local government elections independently
# Over 500 illegal miners were arrested at the Sheba Mine in Barberton
# And a Brazilian court has ordered the house arrest of former president Bolsonaro

# ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa says the National Executive Committee disagrees with the SACP’s decision to contest the forthcoming local government elections independently from the party. The SACP has historically functioned as an ally of the ANC in the tripartite alliance, which includes Cosatu. Although SACP members have stood as ANC candidates in elections, the party itself has never contested under its banner. Ramaphosa says, despite concerns, the NEC has no intention to interfere with the SACP’s decision:

# The Activists and Citizens Forum says it will mobilise mass protests if the ANC and president Cyril Ramaphosa try to remove KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. They warn that any attempt to fire or block the renewal of Mkhwanazi’s contract will trigger widespread protests nationwide. The forum’s Dennis Bloem accused the ANC of targeting anti-corruption efforts out of fear of Mkhwanazi’s fight against criminal syndicates linked to some politicians:

# Mpumalanga police say more illegal miners are expected to be arrested at Sheba Mine in Barberton. On Monday, an additional 24 illegal miners were arrested, bringing the total number of arrests since last Friday to 518. They are facing charges including possession of gold‑bearing material, contravention of the Immigration Act, and trespassing. Authorities estimate that over one-thousand illegal miners are operating underground at the mine. Police spokesperson, Donald Mdhluli, says one of the suspects was found in possession of a firearm:

# The Brazilian Supreme Court has ordered former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro to be put under house arrest for failing to comply with restraining orders. He breached a ban on using social media, which was imposed last month, when he was also ordered to wear an electronic ankle tag. Bolsonaro is currently on trial over an alleged plot to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election, which president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won. If found guilty, he is facing a potential sentence of more than 40-years in prison.

# Rugby: British and Irish Lions hooker Dan Sheehan has been handed a four-match suspension for a dangerous clear-out on Australia fly-half Tom Lynagh during Saturday’s third Test in Sydney. The Irishman charged into a ruck, making contact with Lynagh’s head. World Rugby’s independent review committee deemed Sheehan’s actions to be reckless. The sanction will be reduced to three games if he completes a coaching intervention course. Sheehan will be unavailable for Leinster’s pre-season match with Cardiff and United Rugby Championship fixtures against the Stormers and the Sharks.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-93-cents and the euro at 20-rand-72-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-81-cents and Bitcoin trades at 114-thousand-336-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-373-dollars-35-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-33-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….