News 17:00

BULLETIN 18 August 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa appoints Nhlanhla Nene as the Financial and Fiscal Commission chairperson
# Trump’s approval falls to 33-percent, the lowest in his presidency
# And rugby: Rassie says the new protocol causes frustration for coaches

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed former Finance minister Nhlanhla Nene as chairperson of the Financial and Fiscal Commission for five years. Malijeng Ngqaleni will serve as deputy chairperson. Four other members have also been appointed, namely Bulelwa Nqadolo, Neo Tsholanku, Andrew Donaldson and Astrid Ludin. The commission advises Parliament, provincial legislatures and local governments on financial and fiscal matters. Ramaphosa says the appointees’ expertise and institutional experience will add significant value to the commission.

# BOSA says the City of Johannesburg is owed 1.44-billion-rand by national and provincial government institutions for essential municipal services. This unpaid debt strains the city’s finances, threatening its ability to maintain infrastructure and deliver services. BOSA’s Johannesburg mayoral candidate, Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster, says strict financial discipline, fair revenue collection, and swift dispute resolution are crucial. She says to build a sustainable Johannesburg, government departments must prioritize financial accountability and settle outstanding municipal accounts promptly:

# WhatsApp messages presented at the Madlanga Commission suggest slain taxi boss Mswazi Msibi allegedly used businessman Ze Nxumalo to influence an Ekurhuleni transport tender. Chief Evidence Leader Chaskalson says Msibi allegedly identified a Project Management Unit and technical services contract before it was advertised, apparently for Kamprock Proprietary Limited. The tender relates to Ekurhuleni’s Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network. He said the messages raised questions about the procurement process:

# US President Donald Trump’s approval rating fell to the lowest level of his presidency, ‌with an overwhelming majority of Americans concerned the U.S. war with Iran will last a long time. This according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll that concluded yesterday. Just 33-percent of respondents said they approved of Trump’s performance in the White House, while 64-percent disapproved. Trump’s approval rating, down from 35-percent in a poll that closed earlier this month and ​lower than at any point in his current term, is now equal to the lowest level reached in December 2017.

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says the new protocol limiting coaches’ interaction with referees could lead to consequences World Rugby didn’t think about. Coaches now have far less clarity around on-field decisions, leading to Italian coach Gonzalo Quesada copping a ban and formal warning after his outburst after last month’s match against the All Blacks. Erasmus expects an increase in coaches using the media to try and influence referees before matches, saying the new protocol frustrates coaches.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-20-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-76-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-93-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-121-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-393-dollars-47-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 93-dollars-1-cent a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….