News 13:00

BULLETIN 27 May 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Malatsi denies Starlink favouritism in new black economic empowerment changes
# A Free State pastor is sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a minor
# And tennis: Free Rafa tribute T-shirts are offered on the black market for up to ten-thousand-rand

# Communications and Digital Technologies minister Solly Malatsi has denied claims that proposed changes to broad-based black economic empowerment regulations in the information and communication technology sector are designed to benefit businessman Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink. Briefing Parliament’s portfolio committee on Communications, Malatsi said the policy direction aims to align ICT licensing rules with existing sector codes and allow for equity equivalent investment programmes:

# South Africa has expressed concern over the absence of the United States during the international agricultural scientists’ meeting underway in Polokwane, Limpopo. The four-day summit brings together experts from G20 countries to tackle global agricultural challenges, including climate change and limited funding for farmers in developing nations. Delegates aim to strengthen food security through research collaboration and information exchange. Deputy minister Zoleka Capa says the US’ absence weakens global efforts:

# The Regional Court in Edenburg in the Free State has sentenced pastor Albert Tamasane to life imprisonment for sexually abusing a then eleven-year-old victim since 2019 when she was left in his care. The National Prosecuting Authority’s Mojalefa Senokoatsane welcomed the ruling, emphasising the betrayal of trust and the awarding of maximum penalty:

# Tennis: It didn’t take long for Rafael Nadal tribute T-shirts to hit the black market. The organisers of the French Open handed out 10-thousand brick-red T-shirts with the words “Merci Rafa” for Sunday’s farewell ceremony to the 14-time Spanish champion at Roland Garros, which formed a dramatic backdrop to the emotional event. But many of the T-shirts were offered for sale since, with prices ranging from three- to ten-thousand-rand. The French Tennis Federation expressed disappointment at people trying to make money from the iconic occasion.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-88-cents and the euro at 20-rand-30-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-22-cents and Bitcoin trades at 109-thousand-627-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-303-dollars-63-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-32-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Residents of Gordon’s Bay in Cape Town woke up this morning to the unexpected site of an elephant seal wandering the streets, nearly a kilometre from the shoreline. Videos and photos online showed the visibly fatigued seal moving slowly along tarred roads, even propping its upper body on a parked vehicle. Officials from the Cape of Good Hope SPCA arrived at the scene. Spokesperson Belinda Abraham confirmed inspectors were working to secure the area and develop a safe, low-stress plan to return the animal to sea.

Stay tuned for more news………….