News 07:00

BULLETIN 29 May 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA says the announcement of a new national lottery licence operator is long overdue
# COSATU urges SARB to cut repo rate amid worker debt crisis
# And a UN inquiry says Russia has committed crimes against humanity in drone attacks

# The DA has welcomed Trade, Industry, and Competition minister Parks Tau’s announcement that Sizekhaya Holdings has been picked as the new operator of the National Lottery. Sizekhaya replaces Ithuba Holdings, which has managed the Lottery since 2015. The company has been granted an eight-year licence. The DA’s, Toby Chance, says this announcement is long overdue:

Meanwhile, the EFF has accused minister of Trade, industry and Competition, Parks Tau, of acting in a corrupt manner for awarding Sizekhaya Holdings the licence to operate the National Lotteries and Sports Pool. A total of eight companies made bids to take over the multi-billion-rand licence. Goldrush Group, a subsidiary of JSE-listed Goldrush Holdings, is a 50-percent shareholder in Sizekhaya. The EFF’s spokesperson, Sinawo Thambo, says this appointment has been made despite explicit warnings of conflicts of interest, political exposure, and backdoor dealings:

# COSATU has called for a 50-basis-point repo rate cut as the South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee meets today. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says with falling inflation and workers burdened by debt and rising living costs, the economy needs relief. Despite 44-billion-rand unlocked through pension reforms, most workers remain indebted. He emphasised that a rate cut would offer critical support to struggling households and help revive stagnant economic growth:

# The ANC Caucus in the City of Ekurhuleni has welcomed the affirmation of the metro’s credit ratings by GCR Ratings, as well as the revision of the rating outlook from negative to stable. The improved rating outlook is attributed to Ekurhuleni’s steady operational performance, despite capital expenditure constraints. The ANC says this outcome reflects a crucial vote of confidence in the metro’s fiscal trajectory and its efforts to restore financial discipline and good governance.

# UN experts have concluded that Russia’s military has committed “crimes against humanity” and “war crimes” in its drone attacks on civilians in Ukraine’s Kherson region. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, established by the UN Human Rights Council, said Russian armed forces were “systematically” hitting civilians. Russia’s drone attacks are in the spotlight as Moscow has launched some of the heaviest missile and drone strikes of its three-year war in Ukraine, with US president Donald Trump voicing growing frustration with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

 # Rugby: Former Welsh flanker Alix Popham wants to meet officials in court over what he terms their part in the head injuries he and other players suffered. Hundreds of former players are bringing a lawsuit against authorities for allegedly failing to provide sufficient protection from repeated blows to the head. Forty-five-year-old Popham, who played 33 Tests for Wales between 2003 and 2008, was diagnosed with the progressive brain condition CTE five years ago. He says the officials are part of the reason for the mess they’re in.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-96-cents and the euro at 20-rand-20-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-13-cents and Bitcoin trades at 108-thousand-59-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-264-dollars-54-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-98-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….