News 13:00

BULLETIN 16 July 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# RISE Mzansi calls on Ramaphosa to publish the terms of reference of the inquiry into the police
# The SACP takes on the ANC in a historic by-election showdown in Polokwane
# And rugby: Johan Ackermann is the Bulls’ new head coach

# RISE Mzansi says president Cyril Ramaphosa must urgently publish the terms of reference of the judicial commission of inquiry into the Police Service so it can begin its work. The commission will investigate the role of current or former senior officials in certain institutions who may have aided or abetted alleged criminal activity. RISE Mzansi’s Makashule Gana says it is of the utmost importance that all processes leading up to the parliamentary and judicial probes are procedurally and legally sound:

Meanwhile, the DA says it has received confirmation from police that its criminal charges against Police minister Senzo Mchunu are now under investigation. The minister has been placed on special leave amid allegations of corruption and political interference in investigatons. The DA’s Baxolile Nodada says Mchunu, as all other South Africans, must abide by the laws of the country, and where laws are broken, criminal investigations must follow:

# The South African Communist Party is going head-to-head with alliance partner, the ANC, in a hotly contested by-election in Polokwane’s Ward 13 in Limpopo today. It marks the SACP’s first independent run since breaking electoral ties with the ANC last year. Its candidate, Obed Thabana, slammed poor service delivery, while the ANC’s Reuben Madadzhe urged voters to give the party another chance. The seat was vacated after the EFF’s Mafiwa Leballo was expelled. EFF leader Julius Malema is expected to cast his vote in his home ward.

# International Relations and Cooperation director-general, Zane Dangor, says the crime of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of apartheid are not complex; they are unlawful. He addressed the Hague Group’s emergency conference to halt the genocide in Gaza, taking place in Colombia. Dangor says enabling Israel to ignore decisions of the courts and the United Nations with no consequence is negatively impacting the integrity of international law:

# Rugby: The Bulls have named three-time South African Coach of the Year, Johan Ackermann, as their new head coach. Jake White and the Bulls mutually parted ways after five years earlier this month after he took the team to three United Rugby Championship finals in four seasons. Ackermann has described his appointment as a dream come true. Blue Bulls Company CEO, Edgar Rathbone, says Ackermann is not just an outstanding coach, but a leader who lives and breathes the values of this union.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-92-cents and the euro at 20-rand-83-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-1-cent and Bitcoin trades at 119-thousand-52-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-340-dollars-1-cent a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-78-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….