News 16:00

BULLETIN NEWS AGENCY 13 August 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The bail application of Ace Magashule’s former PA is postponed for defense argument
# An extraordinary council meeting to elect a new Johannesburg mayor is set for Friday
# And, rugby: Rassie Erasmus makes 10 changes to the Springbok starting line-up for the Perth Test against the Wallabies

# The bail application of former Free State premier Ace Magashule’s former personal assistant, Moroadi Cholota, has been postponed to Thursday. Cholota made her second appearance at the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court today after being extradited from the US last week. Cholota faces corruption, money laundering, and fraud charges related to the Free State asbestos case. The state argues that releasing the 37-year-old on bail poses a flight risk as she has previously failed to cooperate with authorities. The delay allows the defense to respond to the state’s arguments.

# The speaker of Johannesburg’s council, Margaret Arnolds, will chair an extraordinary meeting on Friday to elect a new mayor following Kabelo Gwamanda’s resignation. This came after weeks of political and civil society pressure. Arnolds praised Gwamanda for his service, highlighting his contributions, dedication, and leadership throughout his tenure. She says the meeting aims to ensure a smooth transition and continued governance for the city’s residents.

# According to Statistics South Africa’s latest quarterly labour force survey, the unemployment rate rose to 33.5-percent in the second quarter of this year, up from 32.9-percent in the first quarter. Employment fell by 92-thousand to 16.7-million, while unemployment increased by 158-thousand to 8.4-million people. Job losses were highest in the Western Cape, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal, while Gauteng and Limpopo saw increases. Stats SA’s Dihlolelo Phoshoko says women’s unemployment also rose to 35.8-percent:  

# Sierra Leone’s president, Julius Maada Bio, has pleaded with the United Nations Security Council for reform. Chairing a session on addressing the historical injustice, he advocated for Africa’s permanent membership to enhance the council’s effectiveness. Bio highlighted the need for increased African representation for maintaining international peace and security:

# Rugby: Salmaan Moerat will captain a new-look Springbok squad in Saturday’s second Test against the Wallabies in Perth. Head coach Rassie Erasmus made 10 changes to the starting line-up that thrashed Australia 33-7 in the first Test in Brisbane. Regular captain Siya Kolisi is among the players being rested. The only players left in the starting-15 are Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Elrigh Louw and Pieter-Steph du Toit. Lock Ruan Nortjé and scrumhalf Morné van den Berg will earn their first Test starts.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-15-cents and the euro at 19-rand-84-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-22-cents and Bitcoin trades at 58-thousand-900-dollars-64-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-465-dollars-82-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-81-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….