News 14:00

BULLETIN 3 September 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa’s economy grew by 0.4-percent in the second quarter
# The Activists and Citizens Forum says police have lost the battle against drug cartels
# And tennis: Swiatek storms into the US Open quarterfinals

# South Africa’s economy grew by 0.4-percent in the second quarter, following no growth in the first quarter. The finance, real estate and business services industry increased by 1.3-percent, followed by the trade, catering and accommodation industry that increased by 1.2-percent. The manufacturing industry increased by 1.1-percent and the electricity, gas and water industry grew by 3.1-percent. This was largely due to increases in electricity production and consumption, as well as water consumption. The transport, storage and communication industry as well as the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry decreased by more than 2-percent.

# South African Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago has emphasised the need for sustained low inflation to justify a change in monetary policy. July’s 4.6-percent inflation rate, the lowest in three years, has fueled speculation of an interest rate cut. However, Kganyago cautioned that while lower inflation is positive, the central bank seeks consistent, low inflation before easing rates. The bank’s key interest rate has remained at 8.25-percent since May 2023.

# The Activists and Citizens Forum says police have lost the battle against drug cartels in the country and it is now in the hands of all South Africans to stop the crisis. The forum’s spokesperson, Dennis Bloem, calls upon communities to leave no stone unturned and organise street committees in defence of the future generation:

# Legendary record producer Chicco Twala has filed charges of robbery and theft against his sons, Sello and Longwe Twala, at the Douglasdale police station in Johannesburg. This follows the alleged theft of studio equipment from his Fourways home worth approximately 300-thousand-rand, while he was in the US. Both sons were arrested and are set to appear in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court. Chicco expressed frustration, citing Longwe’s drug addiction as the cause of the ongoing thefts.

# Tennis: World number one Iga Iga Swiatek moved confidently into the US Open quarterfinals with a straight-set victory over Liudmila Samsonova. The 23-year-old Pole was made to work by 16th seed Russian in the first set but then dominated the second set for a 6-4, 6-1 win. Swiatek is aiming for a sixth grand slam crown:  

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-94-cents and the euro at 19-rand-84-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-63-cents and Bitcoin trades at 58-thousand-999-dollars-1-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-497-dollars-47-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-70-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….