News 11:00

BULLETIN 23 June 11 am 

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# ActionSA condemns Zizi Kodwa’s return to Parliament amid corruption charges
# Parliament will administer the oath to 58 MK Party members on Tuesday
# And, tennis: Paul ousts Korda to face Musetti in Queen’s final

# ActionSA strongly condemns the return of corruption-accused Zizi Kodwa to Parliament as an ANC Member of Parliament. Kodwa faces charges for allegedly accepting a 1.6-million-rand bribe in the state of capture report. The party criticises the ANC for allowing Kodwa to serve while facing serious corruption charges, arguing it undermines the rule of law. ActionSA’s Athol Trollip calls on the ANC to prioritise Parliament’s integrity by withdrawing Kodwa’s candidacy and ensuring accountability:

Meanwhile, MK Party’s 58 elected members will be sworn in on Tuesday, having missed the first National Assembly sitting on 14 June. Parliament confirms it has received notice from the party about supplementing its candidates’ list with 21 additional members. Speaker Thoko Didiza will administer the oath to members nominated after the first sitting. Parliament’s spokesperson Moloto Mothapo says travel and accommodation arrangements for the ceremony are being finalised:

# Transnet has issued disciplinary charges against National Ports Authority CEO Pepi Silinga after investigations into alleged impropriety. Silinga, on leave since January, faces charges alongside other managers following probes by Bowmans Attorneys and Fundudzi Investigators. The inquiry focused on a tender for the multipurpose terminal at the Port of Ngqura in the Eastern Cape. Acting CEO Phyllis Difeto has taken over. Independent chairpersons have been appointed to oversee all disciplinary proceedings. This follows poor performance rankings for South African ports, with Ngqura being the second-worst globally.

# Egypt’s prime minister Ibrahim Mahlab has ordered 16 tourism companies to be stripped of their licences for organising illegal hajj pilgrimage trips in Saudi Arabia. More than a thousand people have died this year, many due to extreme heat, with temperatures soaring past 50 degrees Celsius. The annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims who are able to must complete it at least once in their lives.

# And, tennis: American fifth seed Tommy Paul beat compatriot Sebastian Korda 6-4 7-6 in the semifinals at the Queen’s Club Championships yesterday. He faces Italian Lorenzo Musetti for the title today. Paul becomes the first American finalist at Queen’s since an all-American final in 2010, between Sam Querrey and Mardy Fish. The 27-year-old, who was the only seeded player in the semifinal line-up, is in the second ATP 500 final of his career and has now reached ATP Tour finals on clay, grass and hard courts.

Stay tuned for more news………….