News 09:00

BULLETIN 11 July 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The new chairperson of the portfolio committee on Police is ready to make South Africa safer
# Equal Education wants Zizi Kodwa removed as a member of Parliament
# And, today is World Population Day

# DA member of Parliament, Ian Cameron, the new portfolio committee on Police chairperson, says he is ready for the work ahead to create a safer country. A former crime activist, he has in the past been very vocal about the police’s failures, specifically under the leadership of former minister, Bheki Cele. Cameron says the committee plans to provide proper oversight of the police service and hold it accountable:

# Equal Education is calling for the removal of corruption accused Zizi Kodwa as a member of the Basic Education portfolio committee and a member of Parliament. The former minister of Sport, Arts and Culture is facing corruption charges, as he is alleged to have received kickbacks of more than 1.7-million-rand from former EOH executive Jehan Mackay. Equal Education says these charges raise grave concerns about Kodwa’s suitability for this role in the national legislature, adding that the importance of ethical governance and the highest levels of integrity cannot be overstated.

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness at the passing of 12 learners in Gauteng yesterday. A Ford double-cab bakkie collided with a scholar transport vehicle in Merafong, Carletonville, claiming the lives of the learners and their driver. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says this tragedy, which is regretfully not the first of its kind, demands that all stakeholders exercise their obligation to protect children with the utmost care:

# Soccer: A late goal from Ollie Watkins has sent England to the final of the European Championship where they will face three-time champions Spain in Berlin on Sunday. England came from behind to beat the Netherlands two-one in their semifinal clash. The Three Lions will hope to go one step further than at Euro 2020 when they lost the final on penalties to Italy. Manager Gareth Southgate says reaching another final is a huge achievement for the team:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-10-cents and the euro at 19-rand-62-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-29-cents and Bitcoin trades at 57-thousand-617-dollars-10-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-379-dollars-95-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-71-cents a barrel.

# And finally, today is World Population Day under the theme, Leave no one behind, count everyone. There are currently eight billion people in the world. Established by the United Nations, this day highlights the importance of addressing population-related concerns such as reproductive health, family planning, gender equality, and sustainable development. UN secretary-general António Guterres says investing in data collection is important to understanding problems, tailoring solutions, and driving progress.

Stay tuned for more news………….