Transcript

Hello and welcome to Just a Moment News, I’m Erika, bringing you today’s headlines on August 26, 2024. Let’s dive into the stories making waves today.

Starting off, we have Justice Minister Thembi Simelane who is under the spotlight due to a loan she received back when she was the mayor of Polokwane in 2016. The loan, amounting to five hundred seventy-five thousand six hundred Rand, came from Gundo Wealth Solutions, a company implicated in illegal dealings with the now-defunct VBS Bank. The owner of Gundo, Ralliom Razwinane, facilitated investments from Polokwane Municipality into VBS Bank, accruing twenty-four point two million Rand in kickbacks. While Simelane used this loan to purchase a coffee shop in Sandton, questions about potential conflicts of interest have surfaced, especially with her current role in overseeing the National Prosecuting Authority, which is investigating the VBS scandal. Simelane has denied any wrongdoing, claiming the loan was legitimate and has been fully repaid.

Next up, Infusion Camps Bay, a restaurant located in a prime spot in Camps Bay, is appealing an eviction order from the Western Cape High Court. The eviction followed allegations that the restaurant misrepresented itself as a cannabis-related establishment, which the owners vehemently deny. The court sided with the eviction due to potential risks to other tenants and possible insurance complications. Despite this setback, Infusion Camps Bay continues to assert its position as a family-friendly venue and is currently operational while the appeal is pending.

Over in New Zealand, a drug smuggling case involving methamphetamine mistakenly addressed to rugby player Quade Cooper has come to light. Cooper was not involved, but his name was used in a parcel that was part of a larger operation linked to various gangs in New Zealand and Australia. The operation, named Freya, has led to several convictions and highlighted the sophisticated methods used in drug smuggling networks.

In KwaZulu-Natal, the new finance MEC Francois Rodgers is making headlines for slashing unnecessary spending within the provincial government. Last year, the government spent a staggering one billion Rand on travel and subsistence. Rodgers has introduced austerity measures aimed at reducing these costs by twenty-five percent, equating to savings of two hundred and fifty million Rand annually.

Australia has recently passed a “right to disconnect” law, which allows employees to ignore work-related communications after hours without repercussions. This law is designed to improve work-life balance, though it has received mixed reactions from the workforce, with some questioning its effectiveness in certain industries.

Moving to sports, Chelsea’s American owners have taken a unique approach by investing nearly one billion dollars in assembling a young and extensive squad, hoping to build long-term value. This strategy, however, has led to poor performance on the field and financial losses, raising questions about its viability.

Lastly, in India, a new AI innovation by Sarvam AI is making waves. The company has launched voice-interactive software that operates in ten Indian languages and is priced at just one rupee per minute. This development is aimed at making AI technology accessible to millions who do not speak English, potentially revolutionizing customer interactions across various sectors in India.

That wraps up our news for today. I’m Erika, and you’ve been listening to Just a Moment News. Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll see you next time.

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