News 13:00

BULLETIN 21 August 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Good news for consumers as inflation dips to 4.6-percent in July
# The Public Servants Association is alarmed by the severe detective shortage in the SAPS
# And, tennis: Kyrgios returns to action after a year sidelined by injuries

# Annual consumer inflation for July dipped to its lowest level since July 2021. After holding steady for ten months in the 5- to 6-percent range, it slowed to 4.6-percent in July from 5.1-percent in June. Lower annual rates were recorded for several product groups, most notably food and non-alcoholic beverages, transport, and housing and utilities. The annual rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages is currently at its lowest since September 2020. Large annual price increases were recorded for instant coffee, drinking chocolate, ground coffee, coffee beans and rooibos tea.

Meanwhile, a DebtBusters’ report says despite some signs of relief, many South Africans remain reliant on loans to manage financial pressures like high electricity tariffs, fuel prices, and inflation. Debt counselling enquiries have risen by 18-percent, showing more people are seeking help to manage their debt. DebtBusters executive head, Benay Sager, says while interest rates might soon decline, consumers still face high debt burdens and reduced purchasing power:

# The Public Servants Association has expressed alarm over a severe shortage of detectives in the Police Service, with over eight-thousand-500 positions unfilled. Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu revealed 22-thousand-413 detectives are currently employed, far below the 31-thousand needed. The association says this shortage leaves many cases unresolved and criminals unpunished. It has urged immediate action to address this crisis, and retainment of skilled detectives, warning that the situation threatens national safety and security.

# Three people have been injured in an explosion at Pietersburg Hospital in Polokwane, Limpopo, while an MRI scanner was being decommissioned. The blast damaged part of the radiology wing. Health MEC Dieketseng Mashego assured that radiology services will continue as some patients will be referred to other hospitals for assistance. She says the cost of the damage is unknown:

# Tennis: Australian Nick Kyrgios is returning to action for the first time in over a year after struggling with injuries. The former Wimbledon finalist hasn’t played competitively since June last year, and underwent wrist and knee surgeries since. The 29-year-old plans to play in exhibition events in the run-up to the American Open, starting at Flushing Meadows in New York on Monday. He isn’t entered for the hard-court Grand Slam tournament. Kyrgios reached his highest career ranking of 13 in October 2016.

# And, the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-82-cents and the euro at 19-rand-82-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-20-cents and Bitcoin trades at 59-thousand-318-dollars-17-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-506-dollars-86-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-24-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….