News 15:00

BULLETIN 1 July 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# NATJOINTS says most protests remained peaceful, with 900 arrests
# TLU SA welcomes Willie Aucamp as new Agriculture minister
# And cricket: Kapp says the Proteas want to lift South Africa’s spirit after Bafana’s World Cup exit

# The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure says the majority of yesterday’s nationwide protests were peaceful, with 108 of the 120 marches proceeding without incident. More than 900 people were arrested for offences including public violence, looting, business robberies and immigration-related violations. Deputy national police commissioner Tebello Mosikili told the media coordinated operations helped maintain stability, while swift responses contained incidents of looting and public violence:

# Agriculture union TLU SA welcomes the appointment of Willie Aucamp as minister of Agriculture, while warning that the sector requires stability, policy continuity, and urgent action. The organisation’s Bennie van Zyl says the immediate priority is controlling foot-and-mouth disease through coordinated public and private sector efforts. He highlights rising input costs, biosecurity and market access challenges, stressing that farmers will judge Aucamp on action and not promises:

# South Africa’s economy remains on a recovery path, but growth is expected to stay modest at around 1.2-percent this year. According to PwC South Africa, the country has recorded six straight quarters of growth, but business confidence and investment are weakening. High fuel prices, a weaker rand and global uncertainty are driving inflation and keeping interest rates higher for longer. The mining sector’s prospects remain positive, while experts say stronger investment and policy certainty are needed to sustain long-term economic growth.

# Shell is reportedly close to selling its South African fuel retail business to Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s retail unit in a deal worth about 16-billion-rand. The agreement would give Adnoc Distribution control of around 600 service stations, representing approximately ten-percent of South Africa’s fuel retail market. Adnoc Distribution is the largest fuel and convenience retailer in the United Arab Emirates. The sale forms part of Shell’s strategy to dispose of non-core assets, while Adnoc continues expanding its global footprint. A final agreement is yet to be signed.

# Cricket: Veteran allrounder Marizanne Kapp says the Proteas Women are eager to lift South Africa’s spirits after Bafana Bafana was eliminated from the Soccer World Cup. The Proteas play co-hostess England in the semifinal of the T20 World Cup tomorrow. Kapp says their main goal has always been to win a World Cup for South Africa as nothing brings the country together like sport. Tomorrow’s winner will play Australia in Sunday’s final after the six-time champion defeated the West Indies in yesterday’s first semifinal.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-41-cents and the euro at 18-rand-70-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-74-cents and Bitcoin trades at 58-thousand-640-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-24-dollars-49-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-29-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….