The truth, Trump, trade and tenders

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My word is my bond, so they say. But is the bond market telling us the truth? Mark Barnes and Tim Cohen discuss, wait for it, the bond market. Exciting! Also … all the other stuff. The Trump tariffs trauma is back, so the subject of trade is back on the agenda. But the story of the week is KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi throwing down the gauntlet on Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Please do, Listen Up!
7 Jul 2025 English South Africa News · News Commentary

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