News 18:00

BULLETIN 8 August 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Legal veterans join the Investigating Directorate as consultants
# ActionSA is concerned about the lack of successful state capture prosecutions
# And rugby: Two debutants are in the Wallabies’ match-day squad for Saturday’s Test against the Springboks

# Legal veterans of the state capture commission, Paul Pretorius and Matthew Chaskalson, have been recruited as consultants by the Investigating Directorate. Pretorius was head of the commission’s legal team, and Chaskalson an evidence leader. They join the directorate amid criticisms of delays in prosecuting those implicated at the commission. Their recruitment follows recent setbacks, including cases linked to the Vrede Dairy Farm and former Eskom boss Matshela Koko being struck off the roll.

Meanwhile, ActionSA in the Free State says it remains concerned about the evident lack of successful state capture prosecutions and convictions. ActionSA’s Patricia Kopane says this raises questions about whether the National Prosecuting Authority, under its current leadership, is capable of delivering the justice demanded by South Africans. The party expressed outrage following the High Court in Bloemfontein’s decision to strike the 280-million-rand Estina Dairy case off the roll:

# The ANC’s national executive committee has called for the eradication of complacency, corruption, and incompetence within its ranks. The party urges for a dynamic, accountable structure to ensure leadership meets ANC manifesto commitments. Briefing the media on the recently concluded lekgotla, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula called for internal reform to address governance weaknesses and enhance the party’s effectiveness in advancing its transformative agenda:  

# Rugby: Carlo Tizzano will make his Test debut for the Wallabies in their Rugby Championship opener against South Africa in Brisbane on Saturday. Tizzano will start at openside, while fellow flanker Luke Reimer is also in line for a debut off the bench. Allan Alaalatoa retains the captaincy. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt says they will have to be very accurate against the Springboks:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-35-cents and the euro at 20-rand. One British pound costs 23-rand-34-cents and Bitcoin trades at 57-thousand-538-dollars-29-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-417-dollars-74-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-9-cent a barrel.

# And finally, president Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to the late actress and filmmaker, Connie Chiume, describing her as a creative icon. Chiume passed away at the age of 72, leaving a legacy of performances in productions such as Black Panther, Yizo Yizo 2, Zone 14, and Gomora. Ramaphosa praised her cinematic contributions for bringing South Africa into homes worldwide. He has hailed her as an inspiration who authentically portrayed South African stories. He extended condolences to her family, stating that her legacy continues to inspire.

Stay tuned for more news………….