News 07:00

BULLETIN 11 June 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Lamola rejects the false information on foreign nationals being killed
# AfriForum calls for an urgent overhaul of the foot-and-mouth response
# And soccer: South Africans are urged to unite behind Bafana Bafana ahead of the Mexico encounter

# Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, says he acknowledges that recent anti-foreigner tensions have affected South Africa’s relations in Africa, but has pushed back against misinformation. This comes as recent reports from Ghana claim that two Nigerians were killed and 15 Ghanaians were hospitalised after they were assaulted during an anti-foreigner protest in the country. Lamola told a Ghanaian radio station that South Africa and Ghana have strong historical ties that must be protected:

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile, in his capacity as the South African National AIDS Council chairperson, will address the closing session of the 9th South African Tuberculosis Conference in Boksburg, Gauteng, today. Held under the theme “Vuka, Let’s Unite Towards a TB-Free World!”, the four-day conference reflected on progress made in the fight against TB, and identified measures required to accelerate South Africa’s response to the epidemic. The Presidency says in his address, Mashatile will reaffirm government’s commitment to ending TB and call for renewed partnerships to address persistent challenges.

# AfriForum is angry after a leaked e-mail showed a top official in the Agriculture Department making fun of farmers who asked for help during the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. The civil rights organisation says the government has been too slow to act and is keeping too much control over vaccines. AfriForum’s Lambert de Klerk wants farmers, private vets and agricultural groups to be allowed to help with the vaccination programme:

# The EFF in Gauteng has strongly condemned the mass shooting that claimed the lives of 12 people at the Jumpers Informal Settlement in Cleveland, Johannesburg, on Tuesday night. Police believe this massacre may be linked to ongoing conflicts involving illegal mining syndicates operating in the area. The EFF says it is undeniable that illegal mining has become a major source of organised crime, violence, and instability in parts of the province. It adds that it rejects any attempt to use this tragedy to promote xenophobia or collective punishment against foreign nationals.

# United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has warned about the consequences of escalating violence in the Middle East, and has urged full support for a two-State solution. Peace negotiations between the US and Iran currently remain deadlocked, while a recent exchange of strikes threatens to derail progress already made. Addressing the Security Council yesterday, Guterres warned that the ceasefire between the US and Iran remains precarious, describing it as “more like a lesser fire”:

# The government has called on South Africans to rally behind Bafana Bafana as the national team prepares to face Mexico tonight, in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Mexico City Stadium. Officials say the team embodies the determination, discipline, and fighting spirit of the nation. South Africans are encouraged to wear green and gold on Bafana Fridays as a show of support. The government says football has the power to unite the country and inspire national pride as Bafana takes on the world stage.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-52-cents and the euro at 19-rand-8-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-11-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-113-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-105-dollars-49-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 93-dollars-54-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….