News 16:00

BULLETIN 21 July 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ATM demands criminal charges over the George building collapse
# Government is to invest in rural abattoirs to strengthen disease control in the midst of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak
# And rugby: The Junior Boks’ captain hails teamwork and support in their championship victory

# The African Transformation Movement says those responsible for the George building collapse in the Western Cape must face criminal charges. This follows a damning report revealing negligence, use of poor materials, and ignored safety warnings that led to the deaths of 34 workers. ATM spokesperson Zama Ntshona says the tragedy reflects a culture of impunity in the construction sector. He calls for urgent reforms, tougher safety laws, and full support for the victims’ families:

# Government plans to invest in rural abattoirs and animal health research to boost disease control and strengthen the livestock economy. Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen made the announcement at the foot-and-mouth disease indaba in Roodeplaat, Pretoria, where he criticised outdated response systems and delays in vaccine production. Steenhuisen said new investments in rural abattoirs and feedlots, especially in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal, will help reduce illegal livestock movements and support enforcement:

# National Treasury says it is concerned at the comments made by Navy Chief, Admiral Monde Lobese, on the budget of the South African National Defence Force. He accused Treasury of sabotaging the SANDF by holding back funds, and thereby risking the country’s national security. The Department of Defence has been allocated 57.2-billion-rand for the 2025/26 financial year. Treasury says internal resource allocation in the department is the responsibility of the accounting office, and if a particular division believes they are underfunded, the matter should be addressed internally.

# Rugby: Junior Springboks captain Riley Norton says preparation, game time, team and national support were key to winning the World Rugby Under-20 championship in Italy. South Africa beat New Zealand 23-15 in Saturday’s final in Rovigo, claiming their second title and ending a 13-year dry spell. Speaking during the team’s return, Norton praised the senior Springboks for inspiring the team and says rugby unites the nation. He expresses deep gratitude for fan support and pride in the sport:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-69-cents and the euro at 20-rand-64-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-84-cents and Bitcoin trades at 118-thousand-596-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-380-dollars-99-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-46-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A new global study warns the world has just three years to drastically cut emissions to avoid the worst effects of climate change. The 2025 report of the Indicators of Global Climate Change reveals human-caused warming hit 1.36 degrees Celsius in 2024, dangerously close to the Paris Agreement’s limit of 1.5 degree Celsius. With only 25 nations updating climate plans ahead of COP30, experts urge urgent action. Scientists say without bold, global commitments now, the window to prevent irreversible climate damage is closing fast.

Stay tuned for more news………….