News 12:00

BULLETIN 15 July 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The death toll in the winter initiation season rises to 43
# The US House minority leader will vote against a Republican proposal to cut all aid to Israel
# And rugby: The Springbok assistant coach is wary of a desperate Wales

# The death toll during the winter initiation season has risen to 43. Authorities say 58 illegal initiation schools have been shut down and 40 people were arrested as part of a nationwide crackdown. Government has urged parents and communities to ensure initiates attend only registered schools that comply with health and safety standards. Officials say enforcement operations will continue throughout the season to prevent further deaths, while investigations into the fatalities and alleged illegal practices remain underway.

# The Financial Sector Conduct Authority has launched an investigation into the Public Investment Corporation, days after the PIC board placed CEO Patrick Dlamini on precautionary suspension following allegations of impropriety. The PIC is Africa’s largest asset manager and oversees 3.6-trillion-rand in government pension and social insurance funds. The FSCA says it has become increasingly concerned by recent developments at the PIC, particularly those relating to governance, leadership stability, transparency, and the potential impact on the integrity and confidence in one of South Africa’s important financial institutions.

# Acting police commissioner, Puleng Dimpane, has assembled a multidisciplinary team to investigate the murder of March and March’s Gauteng leader, Andile Somgaxa. He was shot at his home in Johannesburg earlier this month. March and March led mass anti-illegal immigration demonstrations across the country on June 30th. Spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says the team tasked with investigating the case is comprised of seasoned detectives and crime intelligence officials:

Moving abroad:

# The minority leader of the US House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries, will oppose Republican representative Thomas Massie’s amendment that would cut off all American assistance to Israel. The house will vote on the proposed amendment today, which would eliminate the 54.08-billion-rand in annual US assistance to Israel, including non-security aid that funds people-to-people cooperation and humanitarian programmes. Jeffries argues the amendment would limit the US’s ability to counter militant groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah, which he describes as terror organisations hostile to the US and Israel.

# Rugby: Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids has warned about the threat Wales could pose on Saturday with their backs against the wall in the Nations Championship. South Africa beat England and Scotland, while Wales began their campaign with a victory over Fiji, but lost to Argentina. When the two sides met in November, Wales suffered their heaviest-ever home defeat in a 73-0 humiliation. Davids says Wales is a very competitive team:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-36-cents and the euro at 18-rand-69-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-92-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-615-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-28-dollars-40-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-24-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….