News 09:00

BULLETIN NEWS AGENCY 7 September 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Eskom says its diesel consumption remains significantly below projected figures for this summer 
# The DA urges minister Thembi Simelane to step aside amid the VBS bank allegations
# And, rugby, the Wallabies still believe they can finish second in the Rugby Championship

# Eskom says diesel consumption remains significantly below projected figures for this summer and is considerably lower than the past two years. Eskom spokesperson, Daphne Mokwena says the power utility’s expenditure on open-cycle gas turbines between 1 April and 5 September this year remained at 3.62-billion-rand having generated 530.01-gigawatt hours. This is approximately 77-percent less than the 15.74-billion-rand spent last year:

# The DA has urged Justice minister, Thembi Simelane, to step aside amid allegations of her involvement in a questionable loan transaction during her tenure as mayor of Polokwane. They argue that the loan from the unregistered Gundo Wealth Solutions, linked to VBS Mutual Bank, is concerning due to its high interest rates and questionable legitimacy. The DA’s Glynnis Breytenbach says Simelane’s position risks compromising the justice system’s integrity due to a conflict of interest. 

# The ACDP says it is deeply concerned by the Auditor General’s report, revealing only 34 out of 257 municipalities achieved clean audits for 2023. The party says the report also shows 21-billion-rand in unauthorised expenditure and seven-billion-rand in wasteful spending. ACDP deputy president Wayne Thring calls for immediate reforms, enhanced support for municipalities, and stricter adherence to financial management laws to improve service delivery and accountability: 

# Colin Gray, the father of 14-year-old Georgia school shooting suspect Colt Gray, appeared in a US court yesterday and learned he could spend the rest of his life behind bars if convicted. The 54-year-old Gray is charged with two counts of second-degree murder, four counts of involuntary manslaughter and eight counts of cruelty to children. Two students and two teachers were killed at the mass shooting on Wednesday at the Apalachee High School. Colin Gray allegedly gave his son a firearm knowing he was a threat to himself and others.

# And finally rugby: The Wallabies still believe they can finish second in the Rugby Championship despite losing their first two matches against the Springboks. Australia takes on Argentina in Sante Fe tonight after beating the Pumas by a single point in La Plata last weekend. They play the All Blacks twice next. South Africa is currently on top of the log with 14 points, followed by New Zealand with six, Argentina with five and Australia with four. After today, the Boks face the Pumas away and at home.

Stay tuned for more news………….