News 06:00

BULLETIN 7 May 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Gwarube says unsafe school structures are a thing of the past
# President Ramaphosa will launch phase 2 of Operation Vulindlela today
# And Friedrich Merz is Germany’s new chancellor

# The Department of Basic Education says it has successfully eradicated all schools built with mud and asbestos. Briefing Parliament’s Basic Education Portfolio Committee, minister Siviwe Gwarube said this marks a major milestone in improving learning conditions. However, Gwarube warned that overcrowding remains a serious issue, with the department needing 32-billion-rand to build more classrooms:

# The EFF has criticised the systemic dysfunction plaguing local government, highlighting the widespread governance failures across municipalities. In April, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa, published a discussion document on the review of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government. The review aims to incite honest reflection and decisive action toward building a fit-for-purpose local government system. The EFF’s Chumani Matiwane told Parliament’s standing committee on Public Accounts that the collapse of effective oversight is concerning:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa will launch the second phase of Operation Vulindlela in Pretoria today, to unleash more rapid and inclusive economic growth. Operation Vulindlela was established in October 2020 to accelerate the implementation of structural reforms. In its first phase, the operation focused on reforms in five key areas with a high potential impact on growth and jobs: energy, logistics, telecommunications, water, and the visa system. The Presidency says reforms to the visa regime are being prioritised to attract skills and promote tourism growth.

# National police commissioner Fannie Masemola has confirmed that the SAPS Accident Unit is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of three Free State constables. Cebekhulu Linda, Boipelo Senoge, and Keamogetswe Buys were found deceased in the Hennops River in Centurion. Speaking during the memorial service, Masemola stated that forensic experts are at work to determine the cause of the incident:

# Germany’s Friedrich Merz has won a parliamentary vote to become chancellor at the second attempt. In a hastily organised session yesterday afternoon, 325 lawmakers voted to approve his ascension, more than the 316 he required. Merz, who won an election in February and unveiled a ruling coalition last month, had fallen six votes short earlier in the day, a stunning setback that marked another twist in a tortuous period of uncertainty for the country. He is now set to formally become chancellor after being approved by the German President.

# Rugby: Chances are slim Ireland’s captain, Caelan Doris, will tour Australia with the British and Irish Lions. The eighthman, who was regarded as a possible tour captain, sustained an injury and will have to undergo an operation. He faces months on the sideline. Lions head coach Andy Farrell is expected to name his touring squad tomorrow. They will face the Wallabies in three Tests and also play six other matches during the tour from the 28th of next month until the second of August.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-20-cents and the euro at 20-rand-64-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-30-cents and Bitcoin trades at 96-thousand-600-dollar-80-cents. Gold sells at three-thousand-393-dollars-33-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-58-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….