News 12:00

BULLETIN 25 July 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The sheriff seizes Correctional Services’ assets over unpaid overtime
# AZAPO wants VBS victims to be paid back their money
# And, Tatjana Smith is hoping for more Olympic gold

# The Public Servants Association has enlisted the sheriff of the court to enforce a writ of execution after the Department of Correctional Services failed to honour an arbitration award. The General Public Service Sectoral Bargaining Council ruled in favour of 18 PSA members who were unpaid for compulsory Covid-19 overtime. The sheriff seized 50 computers and 40 printers from the department’s head office in Pretoria for auction to compensate the affected members.

# The Azanian People’s Organisation is calling on all those who directly or indirectly benefited illegally from VBS Mutual Bank to pay back the money to the bank’s clients. Convicted former chairperson Tshifhiwa Matodzi implicated the ANC, the EFF and the SACP in the VBS looting saga. AZAPO’s spokesperson, Jabu Rakwena, says they should take accountability and pay back the money as ethical leaders:

# South Africa’s financial services industry has launched a draft market surveillance code of conduct to enhance trust in its markets. Developed by over 13 major firms, including top banks, the code of conduct targets market abuse and anti-competitive practices. It addresses both trade surveillance and communication risks, responding to issues like currency manipulation and false information. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority’s Olano Makhubela says it also focuses on ethical trading and inclusivity for all market participants:

# Olympic Games: Swimmer Tatjana Smith, who was South Africa’s golden girl at the previous Games in Tokyo, says she is ready to compete in Paris. Team SA only managed to win three medals in Japan, with two of those belonging to Smith. She won gold in the 200-metres breaststroke and silver in the 100-metres breaststroke. The 27-year-old says she is hoping for more Olympic success:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-49-cents and the euro at 20-rand-6-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-85-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-13-dollars-19-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-374-dollars-39-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-27-cents a barrel.

# And finally, the United States’ largest music school franchise, School of Rock, will open in Johannesburg in November. The school will offer programmes for all ages, including performance-based instruction, group classes, and private lessons. Instrument lessons include guitar, bass, keys, drums, and vocals, with the addition of music production. Franchisee and owner, Russell Lund, says they aim to create a fun, inclusive environment for students and promote positive change in the community. Applications are already open at www.parktownnorth.schoolofrock.com.

Stay tuned for more news………….