News 06:00

BULLETIN 19 May 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Timothy Omotoso is banned from South Africa for five years
# The collision of a Mexican Navy training ship with the Brooklyn Bridge is being probed
# And motorsport: Max Verstappen is victorious in Imola, Italy

# Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso has been banned from re-entering South Africa for five years following his deportation on Sunday. Last month he was acquitted on 32 charges including rape, racketeering, and human trafficking. It is believed he agreed to a voluntary deportation process. The Department of Home Affairs spokesperson, Siya Qoza, says Omotoso was declared a prohibited person under the Immigration Act, citing his unlawful presence in the country after his acquittal:

# The MK Party has intensified calls for mandatory lifestyle audits and full asset declarations for all judiciary members. This follows the Office of the Chief Justice suspending three officials amid a Hawks investigation into fraud and corruption. The MK Party warns of an alarming culture of judicial misconduct threatening South Africa’s legal system and insists no one, including judges, is above the law. They stress rigorous oversight is essential to protect democracy.

# The Police Ministry has condemned the brutal killing of eight people in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, calling it a horrific act of violence. It’s understood the shooting took place on Friday night at U-section in the Durban township. The events leading up to the shooting is unknown. The Ministry’s spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, says Police minister Senzo Mchunu has appointed a dedicated team to investigate the murders:

# The US Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into how a Mexican Navy training ship struck the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday night, killing two crew members. According to authorities, the ship, the Cuauhtémoc, carrying 277 people, was en route to Iceland when it lost power as the captain was manoeuvring the vessel, forcing it to strike the bridge. Twenty-two crew members were injured, eleven of them critically, with nine in stable condition. The Safety Board says the ship’s voyage data recorder may reveal critical information about the crash.

# Motorsport: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, to claim his second victory of the season. The Dutchman passed pole-sitter Oscar Piastri’s McLaren on the first lap and controlled the race to secure the win. Lando Norris finished second ahead of his teammate Piastri, while Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Williams’ Alex Albon rounded up the top five. The result sees Piastri’s drivers’ championship lead over Norris reduced to 13 points, while Verstappen closes to within 22 points of the Australian.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-4-cents and the euro at 20-rand-19-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-1-cents and Bitcoin trades at 105-thousand-741-dollar-40-cents. Gold sells at three-thousand-244-dollars-65-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-43-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The ANC has paid tribute to the party’s Women’s League deputy president Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe, describing her as a servant of the people and a fierce advocate for peace, women’s emancipation, and dignity. The 65-year-old passed away on Saturday. At the time of her death, she was also a member of Parliament and the chairperson of the portfolio committee on Tourism. ANC’s spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, says Mnganga-Gcabashe leaves behind a powerful legacy of principled leadership and humility:

Stay tuned for more news………….