News 07:00

BULLETIN 1 June 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Several parties in the Western Cape have filed an urgent objection with the Election Commission
# AgriSA says the drop in food inflation offers relief for South African households
# And Joe Biden says Israel has proposed a three-phase plan to end the war in Gaza

# Several political parties in the Western Cape have lodged an urgent objection with the Electoral Commission during the objection period, which closed at 9 pm yesterday. There were 16 signatures on the letter to the IEC on Friday evening including the EFF, Freedom Front Plus, and the GOOD Party. The parties have made claims of irregularities in voting districts and called for a recount of the votes. IEC provincial head Michael Hendrickse says the objections will be investigated:

Meanwhile, preliminary results after 96-percent of voting districts have been processed a short while ago show the ANC has 40.21-percent of national votes. The DA followed with 21.71-percent while the MK Party was on 14.74-percent. The MK Party is leading in KwaZulu-Natal with 45.29-percent followed by the IFP at 18-percent with the ANC third with 16.99-percent. In Gauteng, the ANC is still in the lead with 34.34-percent and the DA at 27.91-percent. In the Western Cape, the DA is maintaining its majority with 55.27-percent followed by the ANC at 19.48-percent.

# AgriSA says South African households are experiencing relief as food inflation sees a significant drop. From 5.1-percent in March to 4.7-percent in April, this marks the lowest rate since September 2020. According to Statistics South Africa, essential items like bread, eggs, and grains are now more affordable. However, fruits and vegetables show increased inflation, likely due to El Niño and ongoing load-shedding challenges. The organisation says weather conditions, global markets, and domestic policies pose risks, emphasising the need for strategic planning and collaboration for long-term food security.

# The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure, NATJOINTS, has welcomed the arrest of two alleged instigators behind the taxi-related strike that blocked major routes into Mthatha on Monday. Mthuthuzeli Sogoni and Ncebo Nkosi were traced and arrested in Mthatha. Spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says both appeared in court on charges including incitement to public violence and are out on three-thousand-rand bail each:

# US president Joe Biden says Israel has offered a comprehensive new ceasefire deal to Hamas. Israel’s incursion into Rafah earlier in May marked a new phase in its war against Hamas in Gaza, which has killed more than 36-thousand Palestinians. Hamas killed more than one-thousand-200 people and kidnapped over 200 in Israel in October last year. Biden says Israel has offered a three-stage roadmap, involving a six-week ceasefire that would become permanent and then the rebuilding of Gaza with international assistance:

# And in rugby: Forty-year-old former Springbok lock Willem Alberts will captain the Lions in today’s United Rugby Championship clash against the Stormers in Cape Town in probably his final game. The Lions need a bonus point victory over the hosts to still have a chance to sneak into the top eight. The Stormers are currently in fifth place and have all to play for to clinch a top-four finish. The Bulls can top the log if they beat the Sharks in Durban and other results go their way.

Stay tuned for more news………….