News 08:00
BULLETIN 7 August 8 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# The government says illegal mining is a threat to national security
# Donald Trump says there is a good chance of a meeting with Putin soon
# And cricket: Wiaan Mulder is nominated for the International Cricket Council July Men’s Player of the Month
# Government says illegal mining is a criminal offence that poses a threat to national security and public safety. At least 550 suspected illegal miners, including foreign nationals and minors, have been arrested at the Sheba Gold Mine in Barberton, Mpumalanga, in the past few days. Government spokesperson, Nonkululeko Matshali, says they welcome the ongoing arrests of illegal miners, adding that citizens are urged to continue supporting the fight against illegal mining:
# Parliament’s portfolio committee on Trade, Industry and Competition says, due to the significant trade and investment relationship between South Africa and the US, it is concerned about the impact of the 30-percent tariff hikes. Exports to America accounted for approximately eight-percent of South Africa’s total global exports of goods in 2024. The committee says it is concerned about the impact of the tariffs, particularly on automotives, steel, and agricultural products, among others, as affected South African exports will become less competitive in the US.
# The Freedom Front Plus has welcomed the suspension of two officials of the Gauteng Department of Community Safety for alleged corruption. Premier Panyaza Lesufi suspended the head of the department, Nontsikelelo Sisulu, and the chief financial officer, Mduduzi Malope, following an investigation that uncovered financial irregularities in the department. The FF Plus’ Jaco Mulder says it is encouraging that steps are finally being taken against officials accused of alleged corruption:
# US president Donald Trump says there was a very good prospect of a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin in person as early as next week. This follows a meeting in Moscow between Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff on Wednesday. Trump has warned that Russia could face hefty sanctions or see secondary sanctions imposed against all those who trade with it if it doesn’t take steps to end the war. He says this Russia-Ukraine war needs to come to an end:
# Cricket: Proteas all-rounder Wiaan Mulder has been nominated for the International Cricket Council’s July Men’s Player of the Month, alongside England’s Ben Stokes and India’s Shubman Gill. Mulder smashed an unbeaten 367 in the second Test against Zimbabwe, the highest individual score in South African Test history. Stokes scored 251 runs and took 12 wickets in the three Tests in July of the England-India series. Gill played a starring role in India’s record-breaking win at Edgbaston against England, where he scored 269 in the first innings.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-77-cents and the euro at 20-rand-72-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-73-cents and Bitcoin trades at 114-thousand-521-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-377-dollars-71-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-27-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….