News 18:00

BULLETIN 8 June 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# SAFTU says organised groups conducting unlawful document inspections and assaulting migrants must be stopped
# The Chinese president Xi Jinping is looking to revitalise ties with North Korea
# And soccer, Banyana Banyana wants to bounce back against Japan in tomorrow’s friendly

# The South African Federation of Trade Unions is calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of all those responsible for acts of intimidation, assault, extortion, vigilantism and violence against foreign nationals in the country. In his address on Sunday, president Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised that no other person except authorised government officials is allowed to demand proof of nationality from people. Saftu’s spokesperson, Asive Dyani, says failure to act decisively creates a dangerous perception that certain vigilante formations enjoy political protection:

# Protesters from several Ekurhuleni townships in Gauteng marched to a logistics company in Boksburg, demanding the dismissal of foreign national employees. The march went ahead despite president Cyril Ramaphosa’s warning that only government officials can enforce immigration laws. According to News24, the company stated its foreign employees are legally employed and claimed the protest was organised by former workers who were dismissed. Both sides have agreed to meet next Wednesday to discuss the matter.

# Gauteng Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has called on more residents to take advantage of the Gautrain’s KlevaMova discount programme, with about six-thousand users approved so far. Speaking to SABC News during the Gautrain’s 16th anniversary celebrations, Diale-Tlabela said the initiative aims to make the rail service more affordable and accessible to lower-income commuters. She highlighted Gautrain’s role in economic development, job creation and urban renewal, while revealing plans for expansion:

# Chinese leader Xi Jinping is on a two-day state visit to North Korea, his first to the secluded nation in seven years. The trip comes ahead of the 65th anniversary of the signing of the friendship and mutual assistance treaty between the two nations, China’s only mutual defence treaty. In recent years, the North Korea-China relationship has been strained by Pyongyang’s increasingly close relationship with Russia. Officials say the main aim of the visit is to reassert the two countries’ close historic ties.

# Soccer: Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis says South Africa will use the lessons from their 5-nil loss to Japan on Saturday to improve ahead of tomorrow’s second international friendly in Osaka. She emphasises the loss provided valuable lessons amid preparation for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations as Japan exposed every mistake. Ellis says facing a disciplined Asian opponent offers different challenges compared to recent matches against African opposition. The technical team is analysing the match and refining its tactical approach before tomorrow’s encounter.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-48-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-3-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-2-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-549-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-321-dollars-5-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 93-dollars-56-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….