News 07:00
BULLETIN 13 June 7 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# President Ramaphosa seeks a court order to halt the Phala Phala impeachment process
# Paul Mashatile calls on the youth to participate in the local government election
# And, the Ebola outbreak spreads to a crowded displacement camp in Congo
# President Cyril Ramaphosa has launched an urgent application in the Western Cape High Court to stop Parliament’s impeachment process linked to the multi-million-rand Phala Phala scandal. Ramaphosa argues that the process should be suspended while he challenges the Section 89 panel report, which found prima facie evidence of possible constitutional violations and misconduct. Earlier this year, a Constitutional Court ruling directed Parliament to proceed with an impeachment inquiry. Ramaphosa says allowing the process to continue could cause irreparable harm and create a constitutional conflict.
# Deputy president Paul Mashatile has called on young South Africans to participate actively in the upcoming local government elections. In his keynote address at the traditional and Khoi-San leaders’ engagement in Limpopo, Mashatile said the elections provide an important opportunity for citizens to influence service delivery, accountability and development in their communities. He urged traditional leaders to encourage young people to register and vote:
# The Electoral Commission meanwhile says it is strengthening partnerships with community structures, police and law enforcement agencies to ensure safe and credible local government elections in November. The IEC says as electoral safety workshops continue, it highlighted concerns over gang violence and crime in provinces including the Western Cape, which could discourage voter participation. In addition, the IEC says preparations for the voter registration weekend on 20 and 21 June are on track.
# Gauteng Traffic Police Chief Samuel Mashaba has come under scrutiny at the Madlanga Commission over why he allegedly failed to alert police to certain illegal activities. This comes amid scrutiny over the 2021 Aeroton drug bust. Commissioner Sesi Baloyi challenged Mashaba’s claim that he always refers such matters to SAPS, citing previous evidence involving airport operations including fake diesel. Mashaba declined to comment further when questioned about alleged side hustles:
# The UN refugee agency has confirmed the first Ebola-related deaths in a displacement camp in eastern Congo, as aid workers warned of a high risk the disease could spread rapidly in overcrowded sites. The UNHCR said in a report the two victims were internally displaced people living in the Kpangba camp, which hosts 30-thousand internally displaced people. The virus has now spread across three provinces since the World Health Organisation declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on the 17th of last month.
# And finally motorsport: Reigning world champion Lando Norris edged the Mercedes of Briton George Russell by just 0.009 seconds to top second practice on Friday for the Barcelona-Catalunya Formula One Grand Prix. His teammate Oscar Piastri was behind the Mercedes driver for the top three. Italian teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli, who leads the championship after five straight triumphs in the other Mercedes, came in fifth, with Charles Leclerc fourth for Ferrari. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen was sixth, with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, was ninth quickest. Home favourite and two-time world champion Fernando Alonso was 21st in his Aston Martin.
Stay tuned for more news………….