News 16:00

BULLETIN 4 July 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa calls for a reform of global governance amid geopolitical tension
# Paul Mashatile hails David Mabuza as a man that emphasised unity
# And Rugby: Jake White leaves the Bulls with immediate effect

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says global governance institutions, including the United Nations Security Council, must be urgently reformed to address rising geopolitical tensions and global insecurity. Speaking during Austrian president Alexander van der Bellen’s state visit at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, Ramaphosa said current conflicts and instability in many parts of the world highlight the need for stronger multilateralism. He added fair and inclusive global systems are key to lasting peace and development:

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile has described former deputy president David Mabuza as a leader who championed unity. Mabuza died yesterday following breathing difficulties. He served as deputy president from 2018 to 2023. Mabuza’s health became a talking point during his tenure, when he visited Russia to receive medical treatment. Speaking outside Mabuza’s Bryanston home, Mashatile urged South Africans to honour his legacy of unity and dedicated leadership:

Meanwhile, the EFF says Mabuza, a veteran of the liberation struggle, and a long-serving servant of the people, never placed personal ambition above the duties of his office. The 64-year-old passed away in a hospital in Mpumalanga. The EFF says they honoured Mabuza not only for the positions he held, but for being part of a generation of Black South Africans who stood up in the face of a violent regime.

# Dutch and German intelligence agencies have gathered evidence of widespread Russian use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine. This includes dropping a choking agent from drones to drive soldiers out of trenches so they can be shot. Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans called for tougher sanctions against Moscow. Brekelmans told Reuters the main conclusion is that they can confirm Russia is intensifying its use of chemical weapons. Germany’s foreign intelligence agency confirmed the findings, saying in a statement that it had obtained the evidence alongside its Dutch counterparts.

# Rugby: The Bulls head coach and director of rugby, Jake White have mutually agreed to part ways effective immediately. White, who arrived at Loftus Versfeld in 2020, saw the Bulls reach three United Rugby Championship finals and achieve knockout appearances in both the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup. It was recently reported that senior players and White’s assistant coaches expressed dissatisfaction with his actions. White thanked Bulls supporters and says it was great to be part of a winning culture.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-62-cents and the euro at 20-rand-74-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-5-cents and Bitcoin trades at 108-thousand-895-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-335-dollars-92-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-1-cent a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….