News 16:00

BULLETIN 18 June 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Parliament’s impeachment committee wants Ramaphosa’s court bid opposed
# Cosatu plans to protest over the rising costs of living tomorrow
# And rugby: Thirty-seven-year-old James Slipper is expected to reverse his retirement to play for the Wallabies again

# The chairperson of Parliament’s impeachment committee, Makashule Gana, says they support the decision to oppose president Cyril Ramaphosa’s court application to halt its inquiry into the Phala Phala matter. He says the committee believes it has a strong legal basis to proceed. Gana states he will act on behalf of the committee as the second respondent and will petition National Assembly speaker Thoko Didiza to join the opposition:

# Union federation Cosatu plans a national protest tomorrow against the rising cost of living, saying workers can no longer cope, and action must be taken before it’s too late. Spokesperson Zanele Sabela says with the doubling of fuel prices and workers spending about 40-percent of their wages on transport, people are approaching breaking point. She says the private sector must play its part by paying a living wage:

# The Electoral Commission has appointed and trained 48-thousand-212 staff members to support this coming weekend’s special voter registration process. CEO Sy Mamabolo confirmed approximately 34-thousand of the recruits are unemployed but qualified people. He emphasises the role electoral activities play in creating temporary jobs and valuable skills development opportunities. Mamabolo says 37-thousand of those appointed are women:

Election news from abroad:

# Candidates have made their final pitch for votes in the Makerfield by-election in England in a contest that could also determine who becomes the next British prime minister. Labour candidate and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is expected to challenge prime minister Keir Starmer for the party’s leadership if he becomes an MP again following today’s poll. His closest rival for the seat, plumber and local councillor Robert Kenyon of Reform UK, was second in the constituency during the 2024 general election.

# Rugby: Veteran Australian prop James Slipper is expected to reverse his retirement to represent the Wallabies in next year’s home World Cup. The 37-year-old retired in October last year after his 151st Test – the most ever for the country. Coach Joe Schmidt reportedly convinced Slipper to return following a brilliant Super Rugby campaign for the Brumbies, and the Wallabies facing a front-row injury crisis. He is expected to be named in the squad for the Nations Championship Tests against Ireland, France and Italy.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-40-cents and the euro at 18-rand-80-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-71-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-8-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-260-dollars-20-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-17-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….