News 11:00

BULLETIN 30 July 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# An analyst says Zuma’s expulsion won’t enhance the ANC’s renewal agenda
# The DA says it continues to champion economic policies to ease the cost of living for South Africans
# And motorsport: Carlos Sainz will join Williams in 2025

# A political analyst says former president Jacob Zuma’s expulsion will do little to enhance the ANC’s renewal agenda. The party’s national disciplinary committee has expelled Zuma after it found him guilty of campaigning and voting for the MK Party in the May general elections. He has 21 days to appeal. Nelson Mandela University political analyst Ntsikelelo Breakfast says Zuma’s long game is to project the ANC as an institution that has violated his rights, adding that he is playing politics.

# The DA says it remains committed to advocating for economic policies to ease the cost of living. They welcome the South African Poultry Association’s support for removing the 15-percent VAT on chicken. The party asserts its ongoing commitment to promoting economic growth, job creation, and ensuring access to essentials without undue financial strain. The DA’s Willie Aucamp says this move will alleviate financial burdens on low-income households:  

# Western Cape premier Alan Winde and Finance MEC Deidré Baartman have written to president Cyril Ramaphosa raising serious concerns over the constitutionality of the Public Procurement Act. Ramaphosa signed the act into law to create a single framework to regulate public tenders by all organs of the state. Baartman says the process followed in drafting the legislation was woefully inadequate and, by National Treasury’s admission, did not consider all public input. Winde warns the act will be a handbrake on all procurement systems and processes.

# At least 45 people have died, including a one-year-old child, after heavy rains led to a series of landslides in the Indian state of Kerala. About 70 people have been injured and many are feared to have been washed away in the muddy, fast-flowing water that gushed through the area. Officials say rescue operations are underway, but are being hampered by heavy rains and the collapse of a main bridge. India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, has pledged a full rescue effort to find those still trapped in the debris.

# Motorsport: Outgoing Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz will join Williams next season after signing a two-year deal with the Formula One team. The Spaniard, who will partner Alex Albon at Williams, will be replaced by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari. Williams’ boss, James Vowles, has described the signing of Sainz as a strong statement of intent. Sainz says he is confident that Williams is the right place for him to continue his F1 journey:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-39-cents and the euro at 19-rand-91-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-65-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-842-dollars-83-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-390-dollars-30-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-69-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….