News 14:00

BULLETIN 14 August 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Mandlanga commission is urged to make findings on Carrim’s current evidence
# Kumba Iron Ore strikes a deal with the China Mineral Resources Group
# And rugby: The Bulls welcome back two Boks for the clash with the All Blacks

# Madlanga commission evidence leader Adila Hassim has urged the inquiry to make findings on North West businessman Suliman Carrim based on evidence already before it. Carrim failed to appear again, despite a ruling requiring an independent medical assessment to excuse his attendance. Hassim says the commission should draw conclusions on outstanding issues and record Carrim’s non-attendance for possible referral to relevant authorities:

# The Public Servants Association is concerned over remarks by economist Dawie Roodt that teachers’ salaries should be halved to enable government to employ more teachers. The PSA agrees South Africa urgently needs more teachers to reduce overcrowded classrooms and improve teaching and learning. Spokesperson Claude Naicker strongly rejects the suggestion this should be achieved by cutting the salaries of existing teachers:

# Deputy minister of Water and Sanitation, Jack Bloom convened an urgent meeting with Emfuleni mayor Hassan Mako, Rand Water and the Vaal Corporation Water Utility aimed at stabilising wastewater services in the Vaal area and preventing further sewage spillages across the Emfuleni municipal area. Bloom says an interim operational agreement will be signed today to ensure that work at the 44 wastewater pump stations continues without interruption:

# South Afrca’s Kumba Iron Ore, part of Anglo American, has reached an agreement with China Mineral Resources Group to supply iron ore to Chinese mills. Bloomberg reports the deal covers shipments from 1 April this year to 31 March next year. China accounts for more than half of Kumba’s export sales. The agreement provides greater certainty for Kumba amid ongoing changes in China’s iron ore market. The Chinese group represents more than half of Chinese steelmakers in negotiations with global miners.

# Rugby: Springbok forwards Elrigh Louw and Johan Grobbelaar were added on the Bulls’ bench after they were released from the national team just in time for tomorrow’s clash with the All Blacks. Both played for South Africa in last weekend’s victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires. Coach Johan Ackermann says it’s great to have them in his team after admitting earlier most of the players aren’t match fit after the off-season. The Bulls didn’t say which players were omitted from the team announced yesterday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-17-cents and the euro at 18-rand-68-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-87-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-786-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-350-dollars-71-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 89-dollars-60-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….