News 14:00

BULLETIN 29 May 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa is confident in an ANC majority as South Africans vote 
# Investors are urged not to panic over the elections’ impact on the economy
# And, London police arrest 40 people during a protest against Israel’s latest offensive

# President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed confidence that the people of South Africa would grant the ANC a strong majority as they vote today. He asserted  there is no doubt about the outcome, crediting the ANC’s extensive campaign efforts under his leadership. Ramaphosa highlighted the party’s commitment to a clean campaign after casting his vote at Chiawelo in Soweto. He emphasised that democracy will be the ultimate winner, and the ANC will benefit by emerging victorious in the election:

Meanwhile, government is calling on all South Africans, especially young and first-time voters, to exercise their democratic right to vote. It strongly condemns the illegal demonstrations that sought to undermine the democratic process in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. In Keiskammahoek earlier today, residents barricaded the road protesting over land claim disputes and refusing to vote. Government’s spokesperson, Nomonde Mnukwa says citizens are urged to demonstrate tolerance by respecting each other’s right to vote and uphold the democratic principles the country stands for:

In another development, investors are urged not to panic despite concerns over the elections’ impact on the economy. Market experts predict heightened uncertainty with potential coalition politics. They anticipate ANC vote shares of 45- to 47-percent, signaling continued investor caution. Investors are anticipating policy uncertainty amidst the coalition formations despite suggestions that smaller parties will not significantly alter economic policies. Economist Dawie Roodt warns of economic damage if the ANC retains power without addressing issues.

# UK police arrested 40 people and three officers were injured after protesters refused to disperse following a demonstration in London over Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza. The British capital’s Metropolitan Police Service said the individuals were arrested late yesterday for offences including breaching public order conditions, obstructing roads and assaulting emergency workers. It said two officers sustained minor injuries after being assaulted while a third, who was struck by a bottle thrown from within the crowd, suffered a serious facial injury.

# Cricket: A short-handed Australia called on a national selector and backroom staff to make up the numbers in a Twenty20 World Cup warm-up match, and still easily beat Namibia by seven wickets. Veteran opening batsman David Warner led the way in Trinidad with 54 runs off 21 balls yesterday. Despite having four support staff deployed as substitute fielders at one stage, Australia restricted the team ranked 14th in the world to 119 for 9 at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-30-cents and the euro at 19-rand-84-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-33-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-838-dollars-29-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-345-dollars-50-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-52-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….