News 09:00

BULLETIN 8 May 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister De Lille says the increase in international travellers is good for the economy 
# The GOOD party wants a speedy probe into the George building collapse
# And at least 27 people including children have been killed in Rafah since Monday

# Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille has welcomed the increase in international travellers, saying it is a significant contributor to the economy and job creation. According to the latest international arrival figures for January to March this year, the country totalled 2.4 million, representing a 15.4-percent increase when compared with the same period in 2023. The department’s spokesperson, Zara Nicholson, says South Africa welcomed 1.8 million tourist arrivals from the rest of the African continent:

# The Judicial Service Commission has decided not to recommend that Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo face the Judicial Conduct Tribunal. This comes after the Judicial Conduct Appeals Committee recommended that Mlambo should face the tribunal. This is for allegedly lying to the Justice minister and Parliament over a dispute with Advocate Anthony Brink. The JSC found that there was no evidence to substantiate the allegation and, therefore rejected the recommendation to institute a tribunal.

# The GOOD Party in the Western Cape is calling for speedy investigations into the cause of the building collapse in George in the Western Cape. Seven workers have died while 41 are still unaccounted for as rescue operations continue. GOOD’s, Ricky Seekoei, says those involved in the construction of the project, and municipal building inspectors, must provide answers about whether the construction was compliant with building regulations:

# Twenty-seven people have been killed, including six children, in Israeli strikes on Rafah in Gaza since Monday. This comes as Israel has launched a major military offensive against Hamas forces in Rafah, seizing control of a key border crossing, and cutting off most aid into the territory. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel’s military operation in Rafah serves the twin goals of returning the hostages held in Gaza and eliminating Hamas for good.

# Golf: South African Louis Oosthuizen has turned down a special invitation to the 106th PGA Championship due to an undisclosed personal commitment. He was among the LIV Golf players who received a special invitation to be part of the field next week at Valhalla in Louisville, Kentucky. The Saudi-backed LIV will be represented by 16 players including defending champion Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm and Dustin Johnson.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-53-cents and the euro at 19-rand-91-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-14-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-945-dollars-54-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-318-dollars-73-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-75-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….