News 16:00

BULLETIN 23 July 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa is called to lead ethically in government appointments
# AfriForum welcomes a US bill targeting corrupt ANC politicians
# And cricket: Bumrah plays for India in the penultimate Test against England

# Former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has urged president Cyril Ramaphosa to show ethical leadership in appointing, suspending, and dismissing public officials. Speaking at the Council of Churches’ Anti-Corruption Conference in Johannesburg, Zondo criticised the appointment of individuals facing corruption allegations. Zondo said ethical leadership means choosing candidates without pending misconduct claims. He stressed that allowing compromised individuals to remain in office weakens the state’s fight against corruption, and public trust:

# AfriForum has welcomed the approval of a US House Committee bill that could lead to targeted sanctions against corrupt South African politicians. AfriForum’s Ernst van Zyl says the US-South African Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025, introduced by Congressman Ronny Jackson, aims to hold individuals accountable without punishing ordinary citizens. He emphasised that the bill follows rising diplomatic tensions:

# Deputy minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Thandi Moraka, has championed reparative justice as more than financial redress, while highlighting dignity, healing, and transformation. Speaking at the Pan-African Parliament, she praised president Fortune Charumbira’s leadership and affirmed South Africa’s commitment to hosting the parliament. Moraka also confirmed that a revised Host Country Agreement is near completion. She also urged the parliament to join efforts in shaping global policy and inclusive growth.

# Cricket: India is using the world’s best Test bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, in the fourth Test against England in Manchester. This means he could be rested for the final Test because he is nursing a back niggle. India made the gamble because the hosts are leading the series 2-1 and victory is non-negotiable. England’s captain, Ben Stokes, surprised at the toss when he sent the visitors in to bat, because no team electing to bowl first, has ever won a Test at Old Trafford.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-54-cents and the euro at 20-rand-61-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-78-cents and Bitcoin trades at 118-thousand-577-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-126-dollars-14-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-53-cents a barrel.

# And finally, the wildly popular Pokemon franchise will open its first permanent theme park in the Japanese capital of Tokyo in the spring of 2026. The announcement was made by a subsidiary of Japanese gaming giant Nintendo, Pokemon Company. Japan has welcomed a record influx of visitors in recent months, boosting demand for tourist attractions, including a “Making of Harry Potter” film-studio park that opened in Tokyo in 2023. Named “PokePark Kanto,” the new 2.6-hectare area will be located within the city’s largest amusement park, Yomiuri Land.

Stay tuned for more news………….