News 17:00

BULLETIN 29 July 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The US government finds that farm attacks are not ordinary crimes
# Deputy president Mashatile declares a 29-million-rand Cape Town mansion as his own
# And rugby: Injury setbacks for the Wallabies and the Lions before the final Test in Sydney

# AfriForum urges president Cyril Ramaphosa to take a firm stance on farm attacks. This follows a US government report that says farm attacks in South Africa are not normal crimes. The report criticises politicians for their silence, highlighting rising farm murders and inadequate police response. AfriForum’s Jacques Broodryk called on Ramaphosa to publicly condemn the ‘Kill the Boer’ chant and prioritise farm attacks to protect rural communities and restore law and order:

# Employment and Labour deputy minister Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala has warned of the global risks posed by declining support for multilateral labour institutions. Speaking at the fourth G20 employment working group meeting in George in the Western Cape, she said job losses at the International Labour Organisation weaken global labour protections. Nemadzinga-Tshabalala also raised concern over rising geopolitical tensions and trade tariffs, particularly from the US, which threaten Southern Africa’s key industries:

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile has declared ownership of a 29-million-rand mansion in Constantia, Cape Town, despite the property being registered under a company owned by his son-in-law, Nceba Nonkwelo. According to News24, the declaration, published in Parliament’s latest register of interests, comes after nearly two-years of denials about the property. The Hawks are reportedly investigating the source of funds used to purchase the home. Mashatile also declared a 37-million-rand house in Waterfall, in Midrand, Gauteng which he says he uses but doesn’t own.

# Trade union Solidarity says FlySafair pilots are pleading for public understanding as their strike over safety and working conditions continues. In an open letter to the public, the pilots stress that their protest is about fair treatment and enough rest, not about money. They warn that a new automated scheduling system forces some pilots to work long, exhausting hours, leading to burnout and risking passenger safety. Solidarity urges the airline and government to urgently address these concerns.

# Rugby: Both the Wallabies and the British and Irish Lions have suffered injury setbacks before Saturday’s final Test in Sydney. The hosts will be without veteran prop Allan Alaalatoa, who injured his shoulder in the second Test in Melbourne. Lions centre Garry Ringrose will also miss the final Test after losing out on the first two due to a head injury. The tourists already clinched the series by winning the first two Tests, but head coach Andy Farrell said earlier they are going for a 3-0 whitewash.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-96-cents and the euro at 20-rand-70-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-91-cents and Bitcoin trades at 118-thousand-886-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-322-dollars-42-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-87-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….