News 11:00

BULLETIN 13 August 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Free Market Foundation says the National Health Insurance has been a scapegoat for the ANC
# The ANC in Limpopo is firm in its support of its VBS-accused deputy chairperson
# And Trump calls Harris incompetent

# The Free Market Foundation says the National Health Insurance has been the perfect scapegoat for the ANC to avoid accountability for the horrid mismanagement of public health services. Last month, the High Court in Pretoria ruled that certain provisions of the National Health Insurance Act are unconstitutional. The ruling relates to the certificate of need, dictating where private doctors could practice. The foundation’s Mike Settas says the certificate would have ensured private doctors become servants of the state:

Meanwhile the Public Servants Association hopes Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi’s new roadshows and workshops on the National Health Insurance Act will address stakeholder concerns and reduce legal challenges. The PSA supports this inclusive consultation process, with the association’s Claude Naiker anticipating a smooth implementation of the act for the benefit of all South Africans: 

# The ANC in Limpopo has vowed to protect its deputy chairperson, Florence Radzilani, who is implicated in the VBS Mutual Bank scandal. The MEC for Social Development is accused of receiving 300-thousand-rand for investing the Vhembe Municipality’s money in the bank during her tenure as mayor. ANC spokesperson Jimmy Machaka told News24 that, based on information at the party’s disposal, it plans to protect Radzilani. However, if proof surfaced that she had benefitted in some way, the party’s stance would change.

# Former US president Donald Trump says vice president Kamala Harris is more incompetent than president Joe Biden. He had a conversation with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, which aired on Musk’s social media platform, X. Harris is the Democrat’s presidential nominee after Biden opted not to seek re-election. During the interview Trump allegedly made false claims about the economy, foreign policy, immigration, and his record as president. The Harris campaign condemned the interview as an example of Trump’s extremism and dangerous Project 2025 agenda.

# Soccer: The hearing into Manchester City’s alleged 115 breaches of Premier League financial regulations could reportedly be brought forward to next month. The reigning Premier League champions were charged last year for breaking financial fair play rules over nine years between 2009 and 2018. During this time the club won the Premier League three times. A hearing was set for November. City has denied all charges. According to reports, if the hearing is moved to mid-to-late September, the verdict will likely be delivered early next year.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-23-cents and the euro at 19-rand-93-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-34-cents and Bitcoin trades at 59-thousand-432-dollars-5-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-463-dollars-43-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-84-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….