News 15:00

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Jub Jub’s case is postponed again for further investigations
# Keir Starmer resigns as the British prime minister and leader of the Labour Party
# And rugby: Erasmus backs Pollard following criticism over his poor form for the Bulls

# The case against musician and television personality Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye has been postponed to 25 August in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court in Gauteng for further investigation. He faces charges of kidnapping, unlawful discharge of a firearm and defeating the ends of justice following an alleged confrontation with an e-hailing driver in Edenvale. Prosecutors allege the driver was forced into a vehicle and prevented from leaving, before escaping unharmed. Maarohanye remains out on five-thousand-rand bail.

# The Madlanga commission has accepted a medical affidavit from Medicare24 CEO Mike van Wyk, resulting in the postponement of his testimony. His legal representative, Sandy du Plessis, says he suffered panic attacks. Van Wyk faces allegations of improper involvement in law enforcement matters, and controversial tender-related agreements with businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi. Du Plessis says his psychiatrist has recommended hospitalisation:

# The Home Affairs Department is urging South Africans to collect their smart ID cards following a busy voter registration weekend. Nearly six-thousand new applications were processed, while about three-thousand-700 cards were collected. The department says only 115 temporary ID certificates were issued, indicating most citizens already have valid identification documents. Officials are encouraging people to visit their local offices to collect outstanding cards, noting that demand is largely focused on smart ID replacements as green ID book volumes continue to decline.

Moving abroad:

# Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as British prime minister and leader of the Labour Party, stating his decision was driven by putting the country first and accepting that his party no longer sees him as the best leader for the next general election. He will remain in office until a new Labour leader is chosen, a process he has requested to be completed before Parliament reconvenes in September:

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is confident the Bulls players will slot back into the national system with ease. Twelve Bulls, who were unavailable for Bok duty this past weekend due to playing in the United Rugby Championship final, have been included in the 46-man squad for the Nations Championship. Flyhalf Handré Pollard came under criticism for his poor form, but Erasmus says he is one of the most trusted performers:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-41-cents and the euro at 18-rand-79-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-390-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-206-dollars-18-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-76-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….