News 18:00

BULLETIN 15 July 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Presidency says a disinformation campaign seeks to damage South Africa’s reputation
# Businessman Suliman Carrim’s lawyer rejects the claims over medical evidence
# And, soccer: the French media criticise their team after semifinal loss to Spain

# The Presidency says South Africa is the target of a disinformation campaign aimed at isolating the country from the rest of Africa. This follows concerns raised by some African countries over alleged xenophobic violence in South Africa. Government has rejected the allegations, insisting there is no evidence of widespread xenophobic attacks. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told the media an unnamed country is leading the campaign to spread false information about South Africa:

# Businessman Suliman Carrim’s lawyer, Advocate Kameel Premhid, has rejected suggestions that his client’s absence from the Madlanga Commission is unjustified. Premhid argued that Carrim’s medical condition is supported by expert evidence. Premhid criticised the timing of whistleblower claims about Carrim’s movements, saying the allegations should not be used to undermine medical evidence. He also warned against linking his lawful business activities with state entities to allegations of wrongdoing:

# DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis says the City of Cape Town will establish South Africa’s first metro police detective branch if the party retains control after the November local government elections. Speaking during a march in Delft, the party’s mayoral candidate said nearly 200 detective posts remain vacant at the city’s police stations, slowing criminal investigations and leaving many cases unresolved:

# Johannesburg says it will intensify enforcement action after finding that owners and occupants of Marble Towers continue to ignore a High Court order. Executive Mayor Dada Morero, accompanied by MMCs Eunice Mgcina and Nomoya Mnisi, inspected the building and found illegal trading continuing in prohibited areas. Morero says the city will shut down unlawful trading, secure non-compliant structures and return to court if necessary to enforce compliance with the judgment.

# Soccer: French media criticised the country’s team for losing to Spain in the World Cup semifinal after being a favourite to lift the trophy on Sunday. The 2010 champion ruined France’s Bastille Day party with a dominant 2-0 victory in Dallas. L’Equipe captioned an image of forlorn Kylian Mbappé with “fallen star”, saying the team was powerless to stop the Spanish. It gave the captain a rating of three out of ten, together with Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise, and coach Didier Deschamps, who leaves after 14 years.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-33-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-67-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-95-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-191-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-63-dollars-15-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 83-dollars-64-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….