News 14:00

BULLETIN 25 July 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA challenges Ramaphosa’s 26 May speech in the Electoral Court
# NUMSA secures a 6.8-percent wage increase in a new Gautrain agreement
# And, Olympic Games: A colossal effort is in place to secure the opening ceremony

# The DA is appearing before the Electoral Court today in a case against president Cyril Ramaphosa, following his speech to the nation shortly before the May election. The DA’s Karabo Khakhau says the party contends the president’s speech contained content to advance the ANC’s prospects in the election. Khakhau says the DA argues this was an abuse of a state institution for party political purposes. Amongst other things, this violated the Electoral code of conduct which Ramaphosa was bound to uphold.

# Metalworkers union NUMSA has finalised a one-year wage agreement with Bombela Operating Company for Gautrain employees. The deal includes a 6.8-percent wage increase, surpassing the current inflation rate of 5.1-percent. Additional benefits include increases in night work subsidies, shift allowances, and housing subsidies. NUMSA spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola says the agreement ends the strike, with workers returning to their duties tomorrow:

# Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu has applauded the Hawks for their successful rescue of Gqeberha businessman Calvin Naidoo, who was kidnapped last week. The Hawks ensured his safe return in collaboration with other law enforcement units. Ministry spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi says Mchunu commends their strategic response and reaffirmed government’s commitment to combating crime, promising that criminals will face justice: 

# Olympic Games: About 45-thousand police and paramilitary officials, ten-thousand soldiers and 20-thousand private security guards are deployed for tomorrow’s opening ceremony. The figures tell only part of the story of the colossal effort made to protect the river parade along the Seine, the first time a Summer Olympics has started outside a stadium. The total area measures more than six kilometres along the river and will contain around 300-thousand ticketed spectators, as well as hundreds of thousands of residents and tourists in overlooking buildings.

More news from the Games is that Spanish tennis aces Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz know they won’t win anything on reputation alone playing together in Paris, but vowed to do everything in their power to overcome a lack of preparation. Nadal, the 2008 singles gold medallist, will pair up with Alcaraz in a tennis dream team at Roland Garros, looking to also add to the doubles title he won with Marc Lopez at Rio in 2016. The 22-time Grand Slam champion was keen to play down expectations ahead of his final Olympics.

# And, the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-47-cents and the euro at 20-rand-6-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-82-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-and-51-dollars-64-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-374-dollars-28-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 80-dollars-28-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….