News 16:00

BULLETIN 27 August 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cosatu is concerned about the lack of worker inclusivity at the inaugural presidential just energy transition municipal conference
# An association raises concerns over Public Enterprises Department staff absorption
# And, tennis: Alcaraz is not worried over his US Open participation after twisting his ankle

# Cosatu says it is deeply concerned that the inaugural presidential just energy transition municipal conference as currently structured, does not adequately represent the interests and concerns of workers in South Africa’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Cosatu’s spokesperson, Zanele Sabela, says the federation has consistently championed the need for a just transition, one that not only addresses the environmental imperatives of reducing carbon emissions, but also protects the livelihoods and rights of workers:

# The Public Servants Association says the Department of Public Enterprises’ staff future is unclear after state-owned enterprises were reassigned to various ministries. Eskom has been assigned to the Ministry of Electricity and Energy and the South African Airways is under Transport. The PSA’s Claude Naicker asks for clarity in staff transitions as the National State Enterprise Bill is finalised:

# Police minister Senzo Mchunu has commended the South African Police Service for the successful rescue of Pastor Phillip Mashudu and his wife, Elsie, from Bethlehem in the Free State. The couple was abducted on Friday by suspects impersonating police members. A swift, multi-disciplinary team effort led to their safe recovery last night. Four suspects have been arrested and will face charges of hijacking and kidnapping. Mchunu stressed the importance of integrity in the police and vowed to address any corruption.

# The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre is monitoring any potential incidents related to the current bad weather. Spokesperson Charlotte Powell says according to the South African Weather Service, the rainfall and wind gusts being experienced across the metropole will start easing off in the early hours of tomorrow. She says city services are on standby to attend to any problems that may arise:

# Tennis: Four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz says he should be fine for his first match in the US Open after an injury scare this weekend. He stopped practising as a precaution on Saturday after twisting his ankle. The third-seeded Spaniard says he felt comfortable a few hours later, and isn’t worried about his participation in the year’s final Grand Slam tournament. He faces world number 189, Australian Li Tu, in the first round at Flushing Meadows in New York.

# And, the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-73-cents and the euro at 19-rand-78-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-43-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-449-dollars-37-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-449-dollars-37-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 80-dollars-98-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….