News 16:00

BULLETIN 20 August 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa sets a three-percent growth target as the third phase of the government-business partnership begins
# The trial of Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is postponed to 31 August for arguments
# And rugby: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu starts at flyhalf and Damian De Allende plays his 100th Test for the Boks against the All Blacks on Saturday

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has set a target to mobilise three-trillion-rand in investment as government and business enter the third phase of their partnership. Speaking at the launch in Johannesburg, Ramaphosa said the new phase will focus on economic growth, job creation and investor confidence. He said government wants to lift economic growth above three-percent, with tourism, agriculture, agro-processing and mining among the key sectors:

# The High Court in Pretoria will hear arguments on former National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s application for a discharge under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act on the 31st. The state has closed its case, while the defence argues prosecutors failed to establish a prima facie case. Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 corruption charges and one count of money laundering from a South African military logistics contractor while she was Defence minister between 2016 and 2019 in exchange for influence regarding defence contracts. She has pleaded not guilty.

# National Coloured Congress leader and suspendend Member of Parliament Fadiel Adams has been warned against repeatedly relying on the late retired Major-General André Lincoln to support his testimony before the Madlanga commission. Evidence leader Lee Segeels-Ncube challenged Adams over claims that police dockets had been intercepted, asking what evidence supported those allegations. Adams defended his position, saying he believed police members cover for one another:

# Investigations into the fatal Ormonde building collapse in Johannesburg have found that beams and columns supporting the affected slabs were not strong enough for additional construction loads. Nine workers died and six were injured when part of the second floor collapsed earlier this year. Public Works and Infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson says investigators raised concerns over construction permits and health and safety appointments:

# Rugby: Damian de Allende will play his 100th Test for the Springboks as Jesse Kriel’s centre partner in Saturday’s first encounter against the All Blacks at Ellis Park, becoming the tenth South African to reach the milestone. Coach Rassie Erasmus selected Pieter-Steph du Toit as captain in the absence of Siya Kolisi, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Grant Williams the half-back pairing. Manie Libbok and Cobus Reinach are the two back players on the bench. Ox Nché returns from injury to anchor the scrum in the number one jersey.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-17-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-89-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-5-cents and Bitcoin trades at 71-thousand-764-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-458-dollars-34-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 95-dollars-95-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….