News 13:00

BULLETIN 2 July 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Zimbabwean president says citizens returning home will be supported
# Matlala’s legal team says his summons to the Madlanga commission is a legal dilemma
# And rugby: Two debutants are in the All Blacks’ squad for the Nations Championship clash against France

# Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa says his government is ready to support citizens returning from South Africa following anti-immigrant protests. The announcement comes after protests across South Africa prompted growing fears among foreign nationals, with several neighbouring countries assisting citizens wishing to return home. Mnangagwa says the Zimbabwean government will provide social protection, temporary assistance and psycho-social support to returning nationals:

Meanwhile, the acting commissioner of the Border Management Authority, David Chilembe, says more than 35-thousand people have been repatriated through the Beitbridge border post in Limpopo since government introduced new migration measures. He says the post is processing deportations, voluntary repatriations and normal cross-border travel. The inter-ministerial committee on migration will visit repatriation centres to assess operations and receive progress reports. Chilembe says authorities are facing delays repatriating Malawian nationals:

# Businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s legal team describes his subpoena to testify before the Madlanga commission on Tuesday as a serious conundrum. They argue he must comply with the summons but no longer has a ratified plea agreement protecting him from self-incrimination. This follows after the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court rejected his eight-year sentence deal with the state and proposed 12-years for the multi-million-rand SAPS-Medicare24 tender case. The state and the defence return to court on Wednesday with the final decision on the proposed deal.

# Consumer goods producer Tiger Brands has secured 100-percent of the oranges needed to produce its Oros beverage range from South African growers for a second consecutive citrus season. The company says the achievement strengthens local agriculture, supports farmers with stable demand and reduces reliance on imports. Tiger Brands uses about 45-thousand tonnes of oranges annually to produce Oros concentrate. The company says its long-term partnerships with local growers have helped improve sustainability, investment and job creation in farming communities.

# Rugby: All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has included two uncapped players for Saturday’s Nations Championship opener against France in Christchurch. Hurricanes stars Xavier Numia and Fehi Fineanganofo will make their Test debuts from the bench. Captain Ardie Savea has been named at number eight, while Luke Jacobson starts in the number seven jersey. Veteran Beauden Barrett has been omitted from the squad. Rennie says they are aware of France’s strength:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-37-cents and the euro at 18-rand-68-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-83-cents and Bitcoin trades at 60-thousand-412-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-72-dollars-7-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-68-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….