News 08:00

BULLETIN 25 August 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Motsoaledi says his department has been hard hit by medico-legal claims fraud
# The DA in the Western Cape welcomes the resumption of horse exports to Europe
# And, rugby: The Lions and the Sharks continue to build Currie Cup momentum

# Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi says his department is facing medico-legal claims fraud across the country. Motsoaledi briefed the media on the Special Investigating Unit’s findings on medico-legal claims. He says in 2017, the SIU started the work by targeting provinces with the highest share of claims. By that time, the Eastern Cape contingent liability in respect of the claims amounted to 15.9-billion-rand, while in Gauteng the figure was 21.2-billion-rand:

# The DA in the Western Cape has welcomed the resumption of direct equine exports to the European market. The DA’s Noko Masipa says the direct export of horses to Europe had been banned since 2010 due to concerns over African Horse Sickness. He says the European Union is satisfied with the assurances and guarantees provided by the sector and the provincial government regarding the controls and risk mitigation measures:

# The Institute for Security Studies has emphasises that Africa’s energy transition must balance its energy needs with carbon emission mitigation. Speaking at a webinar, ISS senior researcher Alize le Roux highlighted the continent’s low-emission pathway necessity amid its growing carbon footprint. Le Roux advocated for using gas as a transitional fuel while scaling up renewable energy solutions. She also stressed the need for substantial funding to support Africa’s unique energy and development challenges.

# After an intensive search, German police have arrested a man suspected of killing three people and injuring another eight in Friday’s knife attack in the western city of Solingen. The interior minister of North Rhine-Westphalia state, Herbert Reul, gave no details, but German media report the suspect, in dirty, blood-stained clothes, had given himself up. A 56-year-old woman and two men, aged 56 and 67, died following the random attack at a festival. Eight people were wounded, four seriously. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has described the tragedy as “horrific”.

# And, rugby: The Lions strengthened their Currie Cup home semi-final bid with a 38-21 bonus-point victory over defending champions the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. The Lions scored six tries and cemented their second place on the log. In Cape Town, the Sharks also continued building momentum with a 31-23 victory over Western Province. The visitors gained five log points with the win. On Friday evening, the all-conquering Bulls beat Griquas with a 47-24 bonus-point victory at Loftus. And, this afternoon the Griffons host the Pumas in Welkom.

Stay tuned for more news………….