News 11:00

BULLETIN 14 August 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# State capture prosecutions are in jeopardy as an evidence database is reportedly lost
# Japan’s prime minister will not seek re-election
# And rugby: More nations will now be able to qualify for the men’s World Cup

# The National Prosecuting Authority and the Investigating Directorate have reportedly lost the state capture evidence database gathered by Zondo commission investigators. This is due to a lack of maintenance. The evidence is stored in a secure cloud using specialised software, and the Justice ministry is the custodian. According to News24, the database is suspected to hold more incriminating evidence against ANC members and state-owned entities, including Eskom and Transnet. NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga says without this data they are unable to make significant progress on state capture matters.

# The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group is advocating for additional foods to be zero-VAT-rated as living costs increase. Programme coordinator Mervyn Abrahams highlights that millions of South Africans struggle financially. He suggested to eNCA that expanding the zero-rate from 22 to 44 essential foods could provide significant savings for households. Abrahams warns that food prices will keep rising:

# OUTA is urging the Johannesburg Council to appoint a competent mayor who can tackle corruption and maladministration. A new mayor is to be elected on Friday following Kabelo Gwamanda’s resignation. OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage stresses the need for strong leadership to fix the city. He says Dada Morero, who has been tipped for mayor, is not their preferred choice:

# Japan’s prime minister, Fumio Kishida, says he will not run for a second term as Liberal Democratic Party leader next month. His decision brings to an end a three-year term marked by scandal, rising living costs, and record defence spending. The 67-year-old’s approval ratings plummeted to 15.5-percent last month. Kishida says the most obvious first step, to show that the LDP will change, is for him to step aside. He adds that transparent and open elections and a free and vigorous debate are more important than ever. 

# Rugby: World Rugby has announced changes to the format for the men’s World Cup in Australia in 2027, with the number of competing teams increasing from 20 to 24. Twelve teams, including South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, and England, have qualified directly by finishing in the top three of their respective pools in last year’s tournament in France. World Rugby CEO, Alan Gilpin, says 12 other nations will go through a global qualification process:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-11-cents and the euro at 19-rand-92-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-25-cents and Bitcoin trades at 60-thousand-770-dollars-80-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-467-dollars-58-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-8-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….