News 08:00

BULLETIN 22 June 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa respects Thoko Didza’s decision not to oppose his interdict
# The ANC condemns the murder of its Nelson Mandela Bay councillor
# And the mediators, Qatar and Pakistan, say the US-Iran talks were constructive

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says he respects National Assembly speaker, Thoko Didiza’s decision not to oppose his urgent court bid to halt impeachment proceedings against him in Parliament. The president has approached the court to interdict the work of the Impeachment Committee pending a review of the section 89 independent panel’s report. The interdict application will be heard in the Western Cape High Court next month. Ramaphosa stressed that the speaker has to act independently without any influence from anyone:

# Public Investment Corporation board chairperson, deputy minister of Finance David Masondo, will refer the Acupulco investment transaction matter to the Special Investigating Unit. This follows a legal review of PwC’s forensic investigation into the transaction. In 2013, the PIC provided around 333-million-rand in funding for Acapulco to acquire a 25-percent stake in Lanseria International Airport. However, Acapulco defaulted on repayments, resulting in an accumulated debt of about 630-million-rand. The PIC says the referral aligns with Masondo’s commitment to accountability, consequence management and the recovery of public funds where legally justified.

# The ANC has condemned the killing of Nelson Mandela Bay ward 27 councillor Sicelo Mleve. He was shot dead by unknown gunmen while holding a meeting in his office in Zwide, Gqeberha, shortly after voter registration closed on Saturday. Mleve’s murder marks the third councillor to be murdered in Nelson Mandela Bay during the current administrative term. ANC regional chair Babalwa Lobishe says law enforcement agencies must spare no effort in ensuring that those who are responsible for Mleve’s murder are arrested:

# Mediators Pakistan and Qatar say the US-Iran talks in Switzerland were conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere. In a joint statement, the mediators say the parties have agreed to the establishment of a High-Level Committee, which will provide political oversight on the mediation. Washington and Tehran have agreed on the creation of a de-confliction cell for Lebanon. The mediators added that a communication line between the parties has been formed to avoid incidents and miscommunication with the aim of safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. 

# Golf: American Wyndham Clark claimed his second US Open title with a one-shot victory over compatriot Sam Burns at Shinnecock Hills in New York. The 2023 champion finished on four under 73. South Korea’s Tom Kim finished third at one under. World number one Scottie Scheffler ended tied-fourth in his bid to complete the career Grand Slam. Clark, who was fined at last year’s US Open at Oakmont Country Club for damaging two lockers after missing the cut, called this victory redemption:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-42-cents and the euro at 18-rand-82-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-72-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-199-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-180-dollars-17-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-5-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….