News 12:00

BULLETIN NEWS AGENCY 12 July 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA says it has not changed its stance on the National Health Insurance
# Saftu calls for more prosecutions in the VBS Mutual Bank looting
# And, motorsport: F1 sprint race venues are confirmed for next season

# The DA says it remains opposed to the National Health Insurance in its current form, arguing that it will destroy South Africa’s private healthcare system. The DA and the Freedom Front Plus, which are part of the government of national unity, have in the past threatened legal action to stop the implementation of the NHI. The DA’s Michéle Clarke says the NHI in its current form is unaffordable and needs to be urgently reviewed:

# Union federation Saftu is calling for the prosecution and sentencing of other individuals involved in the VBS Mutual Bank scandal. The federation condemns the looting of almost two-billion-rand that led to the bank’s collapse, affecting workers and pensioners. They insist that all culprits be held accountable. Saftu’s Mogoshadi Maserumule urges intensified efforts to combat corruption across all sectors. Maserumule calls for stringent penalties to deter economic and political elites from similar crimes:

# The Save South Africa Civic Movement says it is encouraged by the work the new minister of Sports, Arts And Culture, Gayton McKenzie, is doing. This week the minister put a stop to all free trips by sport superfans, saying the money the department spends to finance these trips would be used better. He also published the names of athletes and artists who got funding from his department during the Covid-19 pandemic. The movement’s Tebogo Mashilompane says McKenzie is getting things done:

# Motorsport: Formula One has announced that six Grand Prix sprint races will be staged next year, the same number as this year. China, Miami, Belgium, Austin, Brazil and Qatar have been selected as the events that will stage the alternative format. Sao Paulo in Brazil will keep up its run of hosting the sprint race every year since 2021, while Belgium returns for the first time since last year. F1 chairperson Stefano Domenicali says the sprint has been a great success, bringing the fans more action and racing on the track.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-96-cents and the euro at 19-rand-52-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-21-cents and Bitcoin trades at 57-thousand-159-dollars-62-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-405-dollars-6-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-97-cents a barrel.

# And, finally: inDrive ride-hailing service says e-hailing drivers in South Africa earn less than the minimum wage of 27-rand-58-cents per hour due to rising fuel prices, vehicle rental fees, and increased commissions. inDrive’s Vincent Lilane says the industry faces income challenges that are impacting driver well-being and safety. He advocates for fair pricing, driver control over fares, and expanded incentive programmes to improve earnings and enhance the industry’s reputation amid its rapid growth.

Stay tuned for more news………….