News 18:00

BULLETIN 23 July 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa pledges to build on the sixth administration’s progress
# Judge Makhubele’s counsel challenges claims by Unite Behind at the Judicial Conduct Tribunal
# And, rugby: Ben Youngs is raring to go after heart surgery

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says government will build on the progress made by the sixth administration. Delivering the Presidency’s budget vote, he highlighted contributions from the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, State Owned Enterprises Council, and Climate Commission. He also commended the National Anti-corruption Advisory Council and the Presidential Working Group on Disability for advancing social and economic change:

# Counsel for suspended Gauteng High Court Judge Tintswalo Makhubele has argued before the Judicial Conduct Tribunal that Unite Behind has not had sufficient evidence for its claim. Unite Behind accuses Makhubele of misconduct for serving as a judge and interim PRASA chairperson, thereby facing possible impeachment. Her counsel, Thabani Masuku, says there is no evidence and calls for impartial evidence leaders:

# Minority shareholders of the inoperative VBS Mutual Bank are calling for its resuscitation. Spokesperson Robert Livhoyi cites unresolved financial losses five-years after liquidation. Thousands, including depositors and municipalities, lost millions when the bank became insolvent in 2016. Livhoyi claims government failed to act effectively to prevent the bank’s collapse:

# RISE Mzansi has applauded the recent two-billion-rand drug bust in Groblersdal, Limpopo, saying it highlights effective police work in combating drug trafficking. This follows two other significant busts in Stilbaai in the Western Cape, and at the OR Tambo International Airport. The party commends police for their intelligence and dedication, calling for increased focus on drug enforcement and crime prevention. Spokesperson Gugu Ndima says they advocate for redirecting the four-billion-rand budget from VIP protection to enhance crime intelligence and policing.

# Rugby: England’s most capped Test player, Ben Youngs, hopes to be fit when the new Premiership season kicks off in September. This follows his revelation of undergoing heart surgery after collapsing during training for Leicester Tigers. The 34-year-old scrumhalf says he had similar episodes earlier, but was only now diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat. Youngs says he’s on the mend following the operation, which has a 90-percent success rate. The veteran of 127 Tests retired from international rugby after last year’s World Cup.

# And, the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-43-cents and the euro at 20-rand-1-cent. One British pound costs 23-rand-81-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-585-dollars-30-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-402-dollars-18-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-47-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….