News 16:00

BULLETIN 6 June 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# SANTACO condemns the deadly Mfuleni taxi rank shooting
# Minister Tolashe pledges to stabilise Social Development under the government of national unity
# And Netanyahu admits that Israel is supporting an armed group in Gaza

# The South African National Taxi Council in the Western Cape has condemned today’s deadly shooting at Mfuleni taxi rank, which left four people dead and three injured. SANTACO chairperson Mandla Hermanus called the attack a brutal and criminal act. He called on all operators to remain peaceful and exercise maximum restraint as efforts to promote unity in the industry continue:

# Social Development minister Sisisi Tolashe says stabilising her department and fighting poverty remain top priorities under the government of national unity. Tolashe told the media that her immediate focus includes fast-tracking the appointment of key leadership, expanding psychosocial support for victims of gender-based violence, and finalising long-term plans for the 370-rand social relief grant. She confirmed the basic income support policy has been tabled in cabinet and welcomed the National Treasury’s extension of the grant:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended condolences to the family of former Zambian president Edgar Lungu and the people of Zambia following his passing in Pretoria yesterday, aged 68. According to the Patriotic Front, Lungu had been receiving medical treatment in South Africa for several weeks for an undisclosed illness. Lungu led Zambia from 2015, losing the 2021 election to the current president Hakainde Hichilema. Ramaphosa described him as a leader, a brother and friend.

# Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted that Israel is supporting an armed group in Gaza that opposes the militant group Hamas, following comments by a former minister that Israel had transferred weapons to it. Israeli and Palestinian media have reported that the group Israel has been working with is part of a local Bedouin tribe led by Yasser Abu Shabab. The European Council on Foreign Relations think-tank describes Abu Shabab as the leader of a criminal gang operating in the Rafah area, that is widely accused of looting aid trucks.

# Rugby: Johan Goosen has recovered from an injury and Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, did not have to think twice before including him in the starting team for the United Rugby Championship semifinal against the Sharks at Loftus tomorrow. Goosen’s inclusion is the only change to the team that beat Edinburgh in Pretoria last week in the quarterfinal. This means Keagan Johannes moves to the bench. While the Bulls were boosted by Goosen’s recovery, the Sharks lost Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth for the big showdown.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-74-cents and the euro at 20-rand-24-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-3-cents and Bitcoin trades at 104-thousand-134-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-359-dollars-2-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-23-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….