Good morning.
Today we’re covering the army’s possible deployment should further unrest break out in parts of SA. Mango has had its operating license suspended after not operating for more than a year. The UK economy has likely shrunk during the second quarter fuelling the economic crisis in the country.
Army placed on standby for possible deployment due to ‘SA deteriorating into unrest’ – Times LIVE Premium (for subscribers)
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) says that some 200 soldiers have been placed on 24-hour standby to be deployed alongside the South African Police Service (SAPS) in case SA descends into unrest.
The army says that the order is part of its planning for any eventuality whether it be just an exercise or for real-world deployment.
Times LIVE reports that military sources say the soldiers will deploy from the Doornkop base, which is the most central base given the unrest in Gauteng and neighbouring provinces in recent weeks.
Mango Airlines’ licences suspended – Sowetan LIVE
Mango has been in business rescue since July last year and therefore has not been operational for twelve consecutive months, which means the Air Services Licensing Council has had to suspend the embattled low-cost airline’s license.
In a letter issued last week, the council says that Mango’s operating license will be suspended for a period of two years effective immediately.
The news comes just days after the airline’s administrator Sipho Sono said the airline had found a suitable buyer who has until August 10 to provide a bank guarantee for the full purchase offer of Mango.
UK economy probably entered its worst slump since lockdown – Daily Maverick
According to a survey of economists done by Bloomberg News, the UK gross domestic product for the second quarter probably shrank by 0.2% putting the brakes on an economic recovery since the covid-19 pandemic hit.
The official figures are due out this week but it will mark the start of a protracted contraction, which the Bank of England says it expects to last until 2024.
That negative outlook is fuelling the governing Conservative Party leadership contest between Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss with both speaking on economic issues recently.
The winner will become the next prime minister and have the economy as the most pressing issue of their premiership. Read more here.
Here’s what else we’re reading today:
Blow to South Africa power supply – BusinessTech
How Mpoomy Ledwaba left an accounting course, became a creative and made her first million at 27 – Business Insider
Rogue database felled Capitec in its worst-ever IT outage – Tech Central
Load-shedding destroys electrical appliances — what it means for household insurance – MyBroadband
Long distance coach and taxi intimidation, murders, crippling SA transport industry – Daily Maverick
Gauteng Premier Makhura calls for ‘armed branches of the state’ to ‘deal with zama zamas’ – News24
Tons of fruit stranded in Europe as SA battles EU over import rules – EWN
Image Credit: Gallo Images/ER Lombard
