News 08:00

BULLETIN 29 September 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Lamola criticises Solidarity’s latest visit to the US
# Cosatu is concerned about the R7.29-billion in unpaid pension contributions by employers
# And cricket: The Proteas Women wrap up their World Cup preparations with a victory over Pakistan

# Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, says Solidarity Movement’s latest visit to the US is a deliberate strategy to undermine the government’s relationship with Washington. The Solidarity Movement, an umbrella body for a range of Afrikaans interest groups, including AfriForum and Solidarity, stated that its primary purpose of the visit to the US was to address trade relations. Lamola told the Daily Maverick that the lobby group has undermined South Africa’s relations with the US because it distorts the country’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment and affirmative action policies.

# The Congress of South African Trade Unions has expressed concern about the rapidly growing problem of employers defaulting on pension fund contributions. According to the latest Financial Services Conduct Authority report, 15-thousand-521 employers are now in default, up from seven-thousand-700 in 2024, and much higher than the initial four-thousand reported in 2023. Cosatu’s spokesperson, Zanele Sabela, says this threatens the financial security of nearly 600-thousand workers across key sectors:

# Retired Justice Bess Nkabinde has been appointed to chair an inquiry into suspended Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions, Andrew Chauke’s fitness to hold office. Chauke faces allegations of abusing his prosecutorial powers, including pressing racketeering charges without evidence against former KwaZulu-Natal Hawks boss, Johan Booysen, and withdrawing a murder case against former Crime Intelligence boss Richard Mdluli. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s directive is that Chauke may be permanently removed if he is found guilty of misconduct, incapacity or being no longer a fit and proper person to hold office.

# At least four people were killed and eight others wounded in a shooting at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, on Sunday. According to authorities, a gunman rammed a vehicle through the front of the church during a large service, before opening fire on congregants and intentionally setting it on fire. The police chief of Grand Blanc Township, William Renye, says the gunman, identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, was killed in a shootout with police:

# Cricket: South Africa secured a four-wicket win over Pakistan in their final preparation match for the upcoming Women’s World Cup in Colombo. Pakistan, batting first, were bowled out for 229 in 46 overs, with Ayabonga Khaka and Masabata Klass taking two wickets each for South Africa. In reply, Sune Luus and Anneke Bosch scored half-tons and added a 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket to help the Proteas Women to victory with almost ten overs to spare. South Africa opens their World Cup campaign against England on Saturday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-30-cents and the euro at 20-rand-30-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-25-cents and Bitcoin trades at 111-thousand-788-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-794-dollars-46-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-77-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….