News 17:00

BULLETIN 26 August 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Treasury and SARS ease the export zero-rating rules
# The Montagu wildfire is contained as the Cape Winelands fire season starts early
# And, flash floods in Nepal leave hundreds missing

# National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service have amended Export Regulations to allow zero-rating when movable goods destined for export, are delivered to terminal operators and port authorities. Treasury says the change addresses practical difficulties experienced at facilities such as the Richards Bay Coal Terminal, where privately operated terminals use Transnet port infrastructure. Previously, the rules required goods to be delivered directly to the port authority. The amendment aims to clarify procedures and facilitate smoother export transactions while maintaining the zero-rating framework.

# Businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has told the Madlanga Commission that former KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head General Senona encouraged him to challenge the cancellation of his SAPS contract. Matlala confirmed that Senona advised him to seek legal assistance and pursue an interdict against the termination. Under questioning from evidence leader Adila Hassim, Matlala said Senona’s interest was in his welfare. He described Senona’s involvement as supportive:

# The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services have contained a large wildfire in the Kogmanskloof area outside Montagu, marking an unusually early start to the 2026/2027 fire season. The municipality warns the early fire could signal a longer and more demanding season, putting pressure on firefighting resources, farmers and natural areas. Mayor Elna von Schlicht urges landowners to clear dry vegetation, overgrown firebreaks and other fire hazards ahead of summer:

# A devastating flash flood has killed at least nine people and left hundreds of tourists missing along Nepal’s border with Tibet. Reuters reports 384 travellers, including 291 foreign nationals, are unaccounted for. Villages, roads, bridges and hydropower projects were swept away in the mountainous Rasuwa district. Authorities say a mudslide may have been triggered by a 4.4-magnitude earthquake, causing an ice-and-rock avalanche that blocked the Lhende Khola river. Rescue efforts are being hampered by damaged roads and dangerous conditions, while authorities warn of further flooding.

# Cricket: England’s Test captain, Joe Root, is disappointed at Saturday’s incident involving fast bowler Brydon Carse at a Derby nightclub. Video footage shows him being handcuffed and led away by police. Carse has subsequently been withdrawn from the squad for the second Test against Pakistan at Lord’s, while the England and Wales Cricket Board has referred the incident to the Cricket Regulator. Root says continued unsavoury off-field incidents are unacceptable:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-95-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-59-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-70-cents and Bitcoin trades at 78-thousand-31-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-611-dollars-43-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 88-dollars-38-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….