News 17:00

BULLETIN 7 August 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# NATJOINTS says security forces are ready for the local elections and the SADC summit
# Fikile Mbalula blames coalitions for Johannesburg’s decline
# And rugby: The top two teams kick off the weekend’s Currie Cup action in Kimberley

# The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure says the country’s security forces are fully prepared to ensure safety during the 4 November local government elections and the 46th Southern African Development Community summit this month. The security cluster’s co-chairperson, Tebello Mosikili, says law enforcement agencies remain on high alert, while border security, Operation Shanela and other crime-fighting operations will continue to maintain peace, stability and the rule of law:

# ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has acknowledged the party made mistakes while governing Johannesburg, however, coalition governments have undermined service delivery since the ANC lost control of the city. Speaking ahead of the adoption of the ANC’s 2026 Local Government Elections manifesto, Mbalula said the party would not hide its shortcomings as coalition administrations has worsened challenges, slowing social transformation in municipalities previously governed by the ANC:

# The Congress of the People has called for an independent investigation into allegations that Northern Cape premier Zamani Saul interfered in a government procurement process. COPE claims internal documents show officials recommended the JW Sauer Building after a competitive process, but allege the premier halted the move. COPE’s Acting National chairperson Pakes Dikgetsi also questions his involvement in discussions over the property despite outstanding rental costs. He warned of political interference and has urged the Public Protector and law enforcement agencies to investigate.

# The Philippine government says it does not condone threats of violence after five coffins bearing anti-China messages were found in different parts of Manila. The caskets, discovered overnight, carried slogans targeting the Chinese Communist Party and prompted a police investigation. Authorities say the coffins were empty and no arrests have been made. The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing over disputes in the South China Sea. The government condemned any form of intimidation while reaffirming its commitment to freedom of expression and the rule of law.

# Rugby: The top-two teams on the log, the Lions and Griquas, will start the weekend’s Currie Cup action in Kimberley at one o’clock tomorrow afternoon. Then the Blue Bulls will welcome the Pumas to Loftus, followed by the match between the Sharks-15 and Boland in Durban. On Sunday, the Stormers-23 will play the Cheetahs at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town. The Cheetahs are currently third on the log, followed by Boland, the Stormers, the Pumas, the Sharks and the winless Bulls.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-13-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-66-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-77-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-233-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-349-dollars-52-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-94-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….