News 15:00

BULLETIN 3 July 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Ntshavheni says government continues to enforce border security-immigration
# The PSA calls for an urgent review of the GEPF investment mandate amidst concerns regarding pension losses
# And motorsport: Drivers will race in Lego cars before Sunday’s F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone

# Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says authorities continue intercepting undocumented migrants and travelers with non-compliant documents at South Africa’s borders. She says the Border Management Authority is pursuing criminal cases linked to illegal immigration, with several arrests already made. Ntshavheni expressed confidence that investigations will be concluded swiftly. She also confirmed that government continues to accelerate border infrastructure upgrades alongside ongoing law enforcement and policy reforms:

# Carnilinx Tobacco Company has told the Madlanga commission it is a legitimate, tax-compliant business with no involvement in criminal activity. In an affidavit read by evidence leader Adila Hassim, the company urged the commission to rely on primary evidence rather than media reports, saying published extracts may be incomplete or taken out of context. She says Carnilinx stresses it continues to operate as a licensed manufacturer under SARS regulatory oversight:

# The Public Servants Association is concerned by reports regarding significant losses arising from certain investments made by the Public Investment Corporation on behalf of the Government Employees Pension Fund. The PSA says the primary responsibility must always remain the protection and growth of members’ retirement savings. Spokesperson Claude Naicker is calling on the GEPF Board to urgently review and amend the Investment Mandate Policy to strengthen oversight mechanisms, and improve accountability:

# The Department of Home Affairs says its first two years under the government of national unity have delivered major progress in digital transformation. Smart ID services have expanded to 252 bank branches, with plans to reach 750 by year-end. Minister Leon Schreiber says the department also introduced a digital visa system, advanced plans for digital ID, increased deportations by 46-percent, and intensified anti-corruption efforts. He stresses technology is improving access to services and modernising government operations nationwide.

# Motorsport: Formula One drivers will do a parade lap in Lego cars before Sunday’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The stunt is part of the Danish toymaker’s series of events that started last year, including in Miami in the US where the drivers raced in life-size two-seater electric cars built from Lego blocks. During last year’s race at Silverstone, the podium finishers received trophies made of Lego. This year’s cars are made of 28-thousand bricks each and can reach speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-21-cents and the euro at 18-rand-56-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-65-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-886-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-183-dollars-54-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-74-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….