News 09:00

BULLETIN 5 August 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The EFF supports the newly established Ad Hoc Committee probing Mkhwanazi’s allegations
# TLU SA says it will not participate in the National Dialogue
# And Sadtu condemns the latest bullying incidents in schools

# The EFF says the Ad Hoc Committee established to probe the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkwanazi, is a critical step toward addressing the deep-rooted issues plaguing South Africa’s justice system. The committee has been tasked with investigating serious allegations of corruption, criminal syndicate infiltration, and political interference within the country’s law enforcement agencies. It is set to commence its work today with the election of a chairperson. The EFF says they are advocates for a chairperson who is not affiliated with the government of national unity.

# The agriculture organisation TLU SA won’t be participating in the National Dialogue this month, saying the country does not need another ideological talk shop that merely reaffirms the ANC’s existing policy direction. The dialogue is aimed at fostering unity and finding solutions to South Africa’s challenges. TLU SA’s Bennie van Zyl says a genuine national conversation will only be possible when there is a shared understanding of the values and principles that make a country grow:

# The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union has condemned the ongoing bullying incidents at schools. A Grade 8 boy learner from Thuto-Lesedi Secondary School in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, was assaulted by a group of fellow learners, resulting in his hospitalisation last Friday. In the Eastern Cape, an 18-year-old learner from David Mama Senior Secondary School was assaulted by three boys on a school bus last week. Sadtu’s spokesperson, Nomusa Cembi, says bullying remains severely under-reported due to the perceived humiliation by the victims:

# US Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed federal prosecutors to launch a grand jury investigation into former president Barack Obama and his administration’s handling of intelligence on Russian election interference. Last month, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declassified documents that she alleges undermine the Obama administration’s conclusion that Russia tried to help president Donald Trump defeat Hillary Clinton. She requested that the Justice Department investigate Obama and top officials in his administration for an alleged conspiracy. Democrats have fiercely disputed Gabbard’s claims.

# Tennis: Three-time champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open, citing a non-medical reason. The 24-time Grand Slam singles champion has not played since his semifinal loss to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon in July. Djokovic is next scheduled to play at the US Open, which he has won three times, the latest of which was in 2023 when he defeated Daniil Medvedev. So far this year, the 38-year-old has suffered semifinal defeats in all three majors.

# 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-234-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-372-dollars-39-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-43-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….