News 11:00

BULLETIN 17 August 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Justice minister has full confidence in chief justice-designate Mandisa Maya’s leadership
# Nersa will ensure public participation once Eskom’s revenue application is finalised
# And, Tennis: An Angry Alcaraz crashes out to Monfils at the Cincinnati Open

# Justice minister Thembi Simelane has voiced strong confidence in deputy chief justice Mandisa Maya’s ability to lead South Africa’s Constitutional Court. Speaking to SAnews, Simelane praised Maya as capable and ready, viewing her appointment as a significant win for women’s representation. Simelane expects Maya’s leadership to further gender equality and tackle gender-based violence. Maya will assume her duties as the first woman chief justice on 1 September, 2024, following the retirement of chief justice Raymond Zondo.

Meanwhile, Minister Simelane has expressed confidence that the extraditions of Atul and Rajesh Gupta from the United Arab Emirates is in progress. The brothers face charges related to state capture, as implicated by the Zondo Commission. She also confirmed that the NPA continues to pursue Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary, to face fraud charges:

# The National Energy Regulator of South Africa has clarified that Eskom’s final revenue application for the 2025/2026 financial year has not yet been submitted. The regulator has confirmed that the draft application, submitted for guidance, is still under review. The regulator’s spokesperson Charles Hlebela says once the final application is received, Nersa will follow its regulatory processes, including public consultation and hearings, to ensure transparency and stakeholder engagement:  

# A fistfight broke out in Turkey’s parliament on Friday when an opposition deputy was attacked after calling for his jailed colleague, Can Atalay, to be freed. Ahmet Sik of the Workers’ Party of Turkey was punched while he was speaking. Video footage showed MPs for the ruling AK party rushing forward as one punched Sik. Dozens more then joined in the fight, with some trying to hold people back. Blood was seen on the white steps of the speaker’s podium. The deputy speaker declared a 45-minute recess after the punch-up.

# And, Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz reacted with a violent racquet smash to his 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 upset opening loss to Gael Monfils on Friday at the Cincinnati Open.  The reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion could not match the wily skills of his experienced 37-year-old French opponent. Alcaraz, ranked third in the world, now heads to the US Open starting a week from Monday without a hardcourt win and only one second-round summer cement match in his legs. The Spaniard lost the Cincinnati final last year to Novak Djokovic.

Stay tuned for more news………….