News 09:00

BULLETIN 8 August 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Parliament’s Justice committee commends the National Prosecution Authority’s action on Bosasa
# Giwusa calls for the nationalisation of the petrochemicals industry
# And the World Health Organisation wants to determine if the mpox outbreak is a global emergency

# Parliament’s portfolio committee on Justice and Constitutional Development has commended the National Prosecuting Authority for its continued work relating to corrupt activities. The NPA has seized assets worth more than 53-million-rand linked to corruption-accused Bosasa bosses and their families. The largest asset targeted includes two apartments in Italy owned by former Bosasa chief operating officer and whistleblower Angelo Agrizzi, valued at 17-million-rand. The committee says it wants all individuals who benefited from Bosasa’s corruption to be held accountable.

# The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa has welcomed the August fuel price decreases, but maintains that only public ownership of the petrochemicals industry can guarantee sustainable, affordable clean fuels. A strong rand has translated to another small cut at the pumps, with prices coming down by 15 cents per litre for petrol and between 17 and 28 cents per litre for diesel. The union’s, Koketso Phasha, says the decrease will offer much-needed relief for many citizens:

# The DA has referred the adjusted electricity rates and tariff structure in the Mogale City Municipality to the Public Protector for investigation. The party’s, Tyrone Gray, says in June, reduced tariff increases of 12.74-percent were approved by the council. However, he says an additional item was tabled last month, that in some cases will quintuple the amount domestic ratepayers will have to pay:

# The World Health Organisation’s director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has called for an emergency meeting of international experts amidst the increase of mpox cases. The virus has now been detected in ten African countries this year including South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo. More than 96-percent of all cases and deaths have been recorded in the DRC. Ghebreyesus says the experts at the emergency meeting will advise him on whether the mpox outbreak in Africa represents a public health emergency of international concern.

# Rugby: Wallaby number eight Harry Wilson feels sorry for the front row who will bear the brunt under new rules in the Rugby Championship, starting on Saturday. It entails a 30-second time limit to form scrums and line-outs. Wilson likes the idea of speeding up the game but believes it will impact the props and hookers who have to sprint to the scrums. Goalkickers will also have only 60 seconds to take a conversion or penalty, and the 20-minute red card will be introduced in some instances.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-35-cents and the euro at 20-rand-7-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-31-cents and Bitcoin trades at 56-thousand-934-dollars-60-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-394-dollars-64-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-38-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….