News 09:00

BULLETIN 13 May 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# RISE Mzansi wants the Public Protector to probe the corruption allegations against minister Kodwa
# Transnet’s state capture bill is estimated at around R60-billion
# And the UK’s Foreign Secretary refuses to restrict arms supplies to Israel 

# RISE Mzansi Gauteng says it will be laying a complaint with the office of the Public Protector against minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa. He is accused of disregarding the law and protecting his friends in the appointment of officials at the National Arts Council. RISE Mzansi provincial convenor, Tebogo Moalusi, says the allegations levelled against the minister are very concerning considering recent reports that the National Prosecuting Authority is pursuing a 1.6-million-rand bribe case against him:

# Transnet is at the point of potential failure unless the government figures out a way to restructure the state-owned entity, solve its debt crisis, and agree on the correct modality for investing in rail. This is according to University of Stellenbosch professor of Logistics Jan Havenga. He estimates the cost of state capture at Transnet at about 60-billion-rand, equivalent to half its total debt. Havenga says the government will have to assume Transnet’s state-capture debt as it cannot be allowed to continue searing a hole in its balance sheet.

# Gauteng police have launched a manhunt following the killing of a five-year-old boy in Soshanguve last week Friday. Ditebogo Junior Phalane, who went outside his home to welcome his father, was shot by hijackers and later died in hospital. The father’s White Toyota Hilux was taken. Police spokesperson, Mavela Masondo, says they are searching for an unconfirmed number of armed suspects:

# UK’s Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, says while he would not support a major ground offensive in the Gazan city of Rafah, the country would not stop selling arms to Israel. The UK supplies just one-percent of Israel’s weapons. The United Nations says more than 80-thousand people have fled Rafah since last week Monday. Cameron says banning arms exports to Israel would only strengthen Hamas. He has urged Israel to do more to protect civilians and allow humanitarian aid through to Gaza.

# Golf: Four-time major winner, Rory McIlroy, won the Wells Fargo Championship for the fourth time in his career. The Northern Irishman carded six-under 65 to beat American Xander Schauffele by five shots at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, to secure his 26th PGA Tour title. South Korea’s An Byeong-hun finished third after a final round 66. McIlroy says his confidence is high heading into the third major of the year, the US PGA Championship at Valhalla:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-41-cents and the euro at 19-rand-84-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-71-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-17-dollars-51-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-355-dollars-10-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-50-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….