News 13:00

BULLETIN 3 July 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC chief whip withdraws key motions including the nomination of MPs to the Judicial Service Commission
# The new Home Affairs minister is ready to resolve challenges
# And rugby: Joe Marler and Will Stuart return for England for first All Blacks Test

# ANC chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli has withdrawn several motions, including nominating MPs for the Judicial Service Commission. Ntuli also withdrew the nomination to serve on the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum. Addressing the first plenary meeting of the National Assembly, Ntuli cited the need for further consultation. MK Party chief whip Sihle Ngubane objected, claiming the party was not consulted about the deferrals. The MK Party has nominated John Hlophe, the first judge in South Africa to be impeached, to serve on the Judicial Service Commission.

# Newly appointed Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber says he is ready to tackle various challenges including improving the work visa process, which is critical for economic growth. Business has repeatedly complained about the long delays companies experience in obtaining work visas for senior personnel. Speaking to eNCA, Schreiber says he also aims to reform basic IT and business processes to reduce long queues and enhance service efficiency and dignity:

# The City of Cape Town has expressed concern at the recent increased gang activity in Lotus River, Ottery, Hanover Park, Manenberg, and Lavender Hill. Several people have been killed in these areas in the past week. Mayoral committee member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says while communities are having to endure the violence of turf warfare by gangs, the city will do everything possible with its limited authority to fight the scourge:

# Right-wing parties continue to expand their power in the European Union, as shown by the new government in the Netherlands, and the results of the first round of elections in France. Euronews reports the expansion could have an impact on the way decisions are made in institutions in Brussels. Political scientist at the Free University of Brussels, Dave Sinardet, says the far-right leaders might have to understand they need the EU to fulfil their election promises, especially in terms of security and immigration.  

# Rugby: Experienced props Joe Marler and Will Stuart return to England’s starting team for Saturday’s first Test against the All Blacks in Dunedin. These are the only changes to the team which beat Japan 52-17 in Tokyo recently. Coach Steve Bothwick says his players realise they need to be mentally strong, play a tactically smart game and maintain their discipline when facing the Kiwis at home. The final Test will be played at Eden Park in Auckland, where New Zealand is undefeated since 1994.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-44-cents and the euro at 19-rand-84-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-42-cents and Bitcoin trades at 60-thousand-437-dollars-64-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-343-dollars-76-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 86-dollars-29-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….