It’s Wednesday, 8 July, and this is News Bite with Marcelle Gordon.
Joburg Mayor Dada Morero says there is no crisis in the City of Johannesburg’s finances after Treasury withheld the metro’s July 2026 funding. The city is one of almost 70 municipalities facing sanctions to enforce fiscal discipline. Morero says Joburg has money, but must settle bills with Rand Water and Eskom. OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage says years of degradation have left the city in a desperate position.
At the NATO summit, US President Donald Trump again took centre stage after military action between the US and Iran. Trump declared the Iran ceasefire over, criticised European allies, threatened to cut ties with Spain, revived his Greenland claims, and overshadowed European leaders’ push for a $50-billion long-range missile project.
The City of Cape Town has responded to the Public Protector’s report, finding that it failed to provide basic municipal services to residents of Langa Flats and Khayelitsha. The city says the issues have since been resolved after the four-year investigation.
Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson says the crackdown on the construction mafia is gaining ground. He says hundreds of extortion and intimidation cases have been opened and 176 people have been arrested since 2024.
In other news we’re keeping an eye on, French authorities have closed their investigation into the death of former SA ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, after concluding he died by suicide. Ayanda Dlodlo is South Africa’s new ambassador-designate to France.
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At the World Cup, Egypt and much of the football world are crying foul after Argentina beat the Pharaohs 3-2. VAR disallowed an Egypt goal, but stayed quiet on penalty-area incidents involving Alexis Mac Allister, Hamdy Fathy and Mo Salah. Coach Hossam Hassan says Egypt was cheated, while claims of special protection for Lionel Messi continue to swirl.
And finally, Novak Djokovic beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in the longest Wimbledon quarter-final in history, setting up a clash with defending champion Jannik Sinner as he chases an eighth crown and a 25th Grand Slam.
That’s your News Bite for 8 July.
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Chapter List
(00:00) Opening Headlines
(00:30) Joburg Mayor Dada Morero On City Finances
(01:35) Treasury Withholds Municipal Funding
(02:20) OUTA Responds To Joburg’s Financial Position
(03:00) Donald Trump Dominates NATO Summit
(04:10) US-Iran Ceasefire And European Security Tensions
(05:10) Cape Town Responds To Public Protector Report
(06:10) Construction Mafia Crackdown Gains Ground
(07:05) France Closes Nathi Mthethwa Death Investigation
(08:00) Argentina Beat Egypt In World Cup VAR Storm
(09:20) Djokovic Wins Longest Wimbledon Quarter-Final
(10:20) News Bite Wrap