News 16:00

BULLETIN 7 July 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA demands a lifestyle audit for new minister of Social Development Dina Pule
# The Madlanga commission seeks an extension of the deadline for its final report
# And rugby: A concussion will keep Eben Etzebeth out until August

# The DA says an immediate lifestyle audit of newly-appointed Social Development minister Dina Pule would establish a financial baseline at the start of her tenure and help protect public funds. The party has asked the Presidency for the audit, arguing Pule’s previous record in public office warrants closer scrutiny. The DA’s Nazley Sharif says the audit would strengthen accountability, while reiterating the party’s opposition to her appointment:

# The Madlanga commission is engaging the Presidency over a possible further extension of its reporting deadline. Spokesperson Jeremy Michaels says the inquiry is under pressure to complete its work, with a significant amount of testimony still outstanding. The current deadline for submitting the final report is 31 August. Michaels says delays caused by unavailable witnesses, complex investigations and logistical challenges have contributed to the request for more time:

# The Gauteng Government has rejected the DA’s claims that investment commitments from its conferences failed to materialise. Government spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga says investment pledges are implemented over years and should not be judged as immediate spending. Mhlanga says projects worth 89.5-billion-rand are underway, demonstrating progress. He also cited Chery Group’s acquisition of Nissan’s Rosslyn plant as evidence of investor confidence, adding that infrastructure, energy, water and public safety remain government priorities:

Moving abroad:

# The World Health Organization has warned Europe could face more deadly weeks ahead, with another intense heatwave forming ​over the Atlantic. Regional director for Europe Hans Kluge held an ​emergency call with representatives from 41 countries ​in the region, the European Commission and civil society ⁠groups to discuss lessons from the recent heatwave and heat health action plans. France, the Netherlands and Belgium recorded three-thousand-700 deaths due to the heatwave, with temperatures reaching 40-degrees Celsius.

# Rugby: The Springboks’ injury list is growing. Concussion will keep lock Eben Etzebeth out of the next Nations Cup encounters against Scotland and Wales, and he is only expected to return to action next month. Captain Siya Kolisi also had to withdraw from the match against England but is expected to be fit to face Wales. Versatile André Esterhuizen sustained a concussion during the England game, while prop Ox Nché picked up a long-term injury. Coach Rassie Erasmus hopes to have lock Lood de Jager back next week.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-23-cents and the euro at 18-rand-56-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-653-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-164-dollars-74-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-60-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….