News 14:00

BULLETIN 8 July 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Questions loom over Mkhwanazi’s possible return as KwaZulu-Natal’s police commissioner for a second term
# Minister Steenhuisen tables a budget to build an inclusive, climate-smart agriculture sector
# And motorsport: A potential promoter is picked for South Africa’s first F1 Grand Prix since 1993

# Political analysts are questioning whether KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi will serve a second term as his tenure nears its end. This follows damning allegations he made against senior police officials, politicians and members of the judiciary. The claims, which also implicated Police minister Senzo Mchunu, have triggered calls for president Cyril Ramaphosa to appoint a commission of inquiry. Mkhwanazi is widely respected for enhancing crime-solving efforts in the province.

Meanwhile, union Giwusa says Mchunu must be suspended today and criminally investigated for obstructing justice and shielding syndicates. President Mametlwe Sebei says Mkhwanazi’s explosive testimony lifts the veil not on an anomaly, but on the systemic, organised criminal character of the police:

# Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen says collaboration with the private sector, not state control, will unlock the full potential of the agriculture sector. Tabling the 2025/2026 budget vote in Parliament, Steenhuisen outlined plans to build a climate-smart, youth-driven and inclusive food system. He says key interventions include a new biosecurity council to manage disease outbreaks, expanded food gardens and farmer training to fight hunger, and new trade strategies to boost exports:

Meanwhile, citrus growers in South Africa are seeking to expand their reach to realise the country’s full export potential. The CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association, Boitshoko Ntshabele, says discussions are underway with Japan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia to secure new markets. As the world’s second-largest citrus exporter after Spain, South Africa’s industry generates 34-billion-rand in foreign revenue and supports over 140-thousand farm jobs. Ntshabele told SABC News that government support remains crucial for access and growth:

# Motorsport: South Africa’s Formula One bid steering committee has concluded the selection of a potential promoter as the country bids to host a Grand Prix for the first time since 1993. The committee says the selection was the outcome of a structured and fair multi-phased process. Among the requirements for the successful registration of a bid was a fully refundable deposit of ten-million-rand. Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, says the chosen promoter cannot be revealed as numerous processes and engagements must still be followed.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-78-cents and the euro at 20-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-16-cents and Bitcoin trades at 108-thousand-616-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-323-dollars-21-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-1-cent a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….