News 11:00

BULLETIN 18 July 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Solidarity wants Dondo Mogajane relieved of his duties as chairperson of the Government Employees’ Pension Fund
# The Israeli Defence Force claims it has eliminated half of Hamas’ leadership
# And rugby, history will be made in the Test between South Africa and Portugal on Saturday

# Solidarity is calling on Finance minister Enoch Godongwana to relieve Dondo Mogajane of his duties as chairperson of the Government Employees’ Pension Fund. Convicted former VBS Mutual Bank board chairperson Tshifhiwa Matodzi claimed in his affidavit he paid National Treasury’s former director-general one-million-rand, which Dondo has denied. Solidarity’s Renate Pieterse says the money was allegedly paid to Dondo so he would use his influence to convince municipalities not to stop investing in VBS:

# Former High Court judge Nkola Motata has approached the Constitutional Court to challenge his removal as a judge. The Judicial Service Commission found him guilty of gross misconduct after a drunk-driving conviction in 2009. The 77-year-old was impeached by the National Assembly in February this year, with president Cyril Ramaphosa officially removing him in March. Motata wants the National Assembly’s recommendation of his removal and Ramaphosa’s decision declared invalid and set aside. He argues the National Assembly lacked the jurisdiction to remove him.

Meanwhile, Western Cape premier Alan Winde urges Ramaphosa to use tomorrow’s opening of Parliament address to show the government of national unity’s commitment to tackling South Africa’s challenges. Winde emphasises the importance of revitalising economic growth to create jobs and reduce poverty. He calls for fair budget allocation for essential services, enhanced energy and water resilience, increased infrastructure funding, improved disaster management, and climate crisis resilience: 

# The Israeli Defence Force says it has eliminated approximately half of the Hamas leadership in Gaza and 14-thousand soldiers since the war broke out last year. At least 60 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip in the past week, including 16 at a United Nations-run school used as a refugee camp. The IDF says it struck about 40 targets in Gaza yesterday, including sniping and observation posts, military structures, and buildings rigged with explosives.

# Rugby: Saturday’s Test between South Africa and Portugal in Bloemfontein will make history for more than one reason. It will be the first-ever Test between the world champions and Portugal, and Hollie Davidson of Scotland will become the first woman ever to referee a Bok encounter. Salmaan Moerat will make his debut as South African captain in a squad which includes seven uncapped players. Bok coach Rassie Erasmus expects a high-tempo game at the Free State stadium, with kick-off at 5pm:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-13-cents and the euro at 19-rand-77-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-56-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-534-dollars-52-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-464-dollars-99-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 83-dollars-72-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….