News 11:00

BULLETIN 26 July 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The NPA slams the affidavit leak in the Bushiri Case
# Eskom maintains a stable winter power supply
# And South Africa secures an 8.4-billion-rand loan from the African Development Bank

# The National Prosecuting Authority has condemned the leak of a state witness affidavit in the controversial Malawian pastor, Shepherd Bushiri case. NPA’s Lumka Mahanjana says the leaked affidavit, part of the case docket shared with the defense, could jeopardise the state’s case and endanger the witness, whose full details and photo were published. The trial is now set for 4 August 2025. She called on the media to report responsibly without jeopardising the rights of the witnesses who will be called to testify.

# Eskom reports continued power system stability, with no load-shedding since 15 May and only 26 hours recorded from April to July. Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokoena says current unplanned outages stand at eleven-thousand-695-megawatts, with available capacity at 30-thousand-236-megawatts. Mokoena says Eskom plans to return three-thousand-960-megawatts next week. She confirmed that diesel spend remains within budget, and reduced gas turbine reliance shows improved performance as winter grid stability continues:

# A Limpopo woman appeared in the Seshego Magistrate’s Court following the murder of her two-year-old daughter at Ga-Mashashane. Police spokesperson, Malesela Ledwaba, says the child was found unconscious on a bed on Thursday when paramedics declared her dead at the scene. The cause of the child’s death remains unknown. Her case was postponed to 1 August for a formal bail application:

# South Africa has secured a 8.4-billion-rand loan from the African Development Bank to support its just energy transition. National Treasury says the 15-year agreement with a three-year grace period will boost infrastructure sustainability, energy efficiency, and decarbonisation. The funding forms part of the third Development Policy Operation, with support from global partners including the World Bank, KFW Development Bank, among others. Treasury calls the deal a pivotal step toward structural reform, job creation, and inclusive growth in the energy and transport sectors.

# And finally, sports news

# Cricket: Joe Root became the second-highest run-scorer in Test history in the fourth match of the five-game series against India at Old Trafford. The former England skipper passed retired Australian great Ricky Ponting when he reached 120, having overtaken India’s Rahul Dravid and South Africa’s Jacques Kallis earlier in the day. The 34-year-old, appearing in his 157th Test, went past Ponting’s tally of 13-thousand-378 runs with a single. India’s Sachin Tendulkar is safe in top spot, having scored a mammoth 15-thousand-921 runs in 200 Tests, but Root has time on his side.

# And golf: South Africa’s Ernie Els is in joint fourth place after the 2nd round of the ISPS Handa Senior Open in the UK – two shots behind the leader Padraig Harrington from Ireland. Els carded a three under 67 with Englishman Cameron Percy on five under 65, and Ricardo Gonzalez of Argentina on 67, six under. Bringing up the rear for South Africa is Retief Goosen in 18th position with a round of 70. Harrington is leading by one stroke going into the 3rd round. The ISPS HANDA Senior Open is the fifth major on the PGA TOUR Championships.

Stay tuned for more news………….