News 07:00

BULLETIN 26 June 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Lamola says South Africa’s non-alignment must not be conflated with neutrality
# Parliament says foreign inmates contribute to prison overcrowding
# And cricket: The Proteas Women are still in contention for a T20 World Cup semi-final spot

# Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, says South Africa pursues an independent foreign policy firmly anchored in the principle of non-alignment, and will not be dictated by external pressure. He was responding to comments made by the US ambassador to Pretoria, Leo Brent Bozell, who claimed that deputy president Paul Mashatile’s visit to China and Iran’s deputy Foreign minister Saeed Khatibzadeh’s visit to Pretoria undermined South Africa’s non-alignment stance. The department’s spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, says the minister has emphasised that non-alignment must not be conflated with neutrality:

# Parliament’s portfolio committee on Correctional Services says prison overcrowding remains a serious challenge, with foreign national inmates making up about 12-percent of sentenced prisoners. Committee chairperson Anthea Ramolobeng told the media delays in deportation processes are adding pressure to already strained facilities and resources. Ramolobeng welcomed a prisoner transfer agreement between South Africa and Botswana, calling for similar agreements with other countries:

# Gauteng Police Commissioner, Tommy Mthombeni, has warned that South Africans who harbour or employ illegal immigrants could face fines of ten-thousand-rand per person, and possible criminal charges. This comes as law enforcement agencies ramp up preparations ahead of nationwide anti-illegal immigration protests next Tuesday. Mthombeni says operational plans are in place to maintain law and order and ensure public safety during the planned demonstrations. He added that authorities will monitor developments both on the ground and from the air.

# The Western Cape economy has grown by 0.6-percent between January and March, outperforming the national average of 0.5-percent. The growth was driven by strong performance in sectors such as finance, agriculture, and tourism, with increased exports of apples and grapes and a rise in international arrivals to Cape Town. Agriculture, Economic Development, and Tourism MEC Ivan Meyer says the province continues to show resilience despite global and domestic economic pressures:

# Outgoing British prime minister Keir Starmer says he will ensure an orderly transition of power. He announced his resignation on Monday, with Andy Burnham his likely replacement as both prime minister and leader of the Labour Party. Burnham is the only candidate to have emerged so far, and if he does not face a challenger, he could become prime minister as early as 17 July. Starmer says he has authorised civil servants to meet prospective Labour leadership candidates to help them prepare for government:

# Cricket: South Africa thrashed the Netherlands by 88 runs in the Women’s T20 World Cup in Bristol to keep their hopes of making the semifinals. Tazmin Brits scored an unbeaten 114 as the Proteas Women posted 208 for one. In reply, Ayabonga Khaka took three wickets as the Netherlands were restricted to 120 for eight. To make the semifinals, South Africa will need to beat Bangladesh in their final game and hope that India loses against Australia, otherwise it will go down to net run-rate. 

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-50-cents and the euro at 18-rand-75-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-77-cents and Bitcoin trades at 59-thousand-229-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-21-dollars-20-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-96-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….