News 18:00

BULLETIN 11 July 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Solidarity targets Bidvest’s US shareholders over discriminatory local practices
# A trial over the July unrest is postponed for further evidence
# And soccer: Banyana Banyana eye a WAFCON quarterfinal spot in the match against Tanzania

# Trade union Solidarity has asked the US government and investors to act against Bidvest’s policy that excludes low-income white employees’ children from education support. Letters have been sent to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and top US shareholders, urging them to oppose these practices and pressure Bidvest to uphold non-discrimination. Solidarity’s Jaco Kleynhans says such actions damage investor reputations, and they plan to push back against similar policies in other companies:

# The trial of alleged July unrest instigator Bonginkosi Khanyile in the Durban Regional Court has been postponed to late September. Khanyile is charged with incitement during the 2021 unrest in KwaZulu-Natal after former president Jacob Zuma’s imprisonment for contempt of court for failing to appear before the state capture commission. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara confirmed the state has led five witnesses:

# Public Works and Infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson has welcomed a 67-million-rand recovery order secured by the Special Investigating Unit against Kroucamp Plumbers. The Special Tribunal found evidence of falsified bids, bribery, and conflict of interest from 2015 to 2019. Macpherson reaffirmed the department’s zero-tolerance on corruption, citing lifestyle audits for over 400 high-risk officials and ongoing efforts to strengthen procurement and accountability.

News from Namibia:

# Four former National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia employees and four private individuals were arrested in Windhoek on corruption charges linked to past dealings at Namcor. The Anti-Corruption Commission says all eight face charges under the Anti-Corruption Act. High-profile names include former Namcor managing director Immanuel Mulunga. The Institute for Public Policy Research’s Frederico Links says the charges stem from a failed 52-million-rand fuel deal with Enercon:

# Soccer: Banyana Banyana face Tanzania in Morocco tonight in their second Women’s Africa Cup of Nation Group C clash, aiming to book a spot in the knockout rounds. The defending champions lead the group with three points after a 2-0 victory over Ghana. Coach Desiree Ellis says the team must stay sharp in defence and convert chances. Despite Twiga Stars’ lower ranking, Ellis warns against underestimating any opponent. Tanzania coach Bakari Shime says his side is ready to fight for victory. Kick-off is at 9pm, South African time.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-93-cents and the euro at 20-rand-95-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-19-cents and Bitcoin trades at 117-thousand-922-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-353-dollars-44-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-25-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….