News 09:00

BULLETIN 2 May 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cosatu condemns retrenchments in the current economic climate
# Home Affairs suspends the officials involved in the AI reference fiasco
# And COPE urges voters to correct municipality failures at the ballot

# Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi has condemned employers, who continue with retrenchments in the current economic climate, as job scarcity and rising unemployment escalate. Speaking during Workers’ Day Celebrations at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo, Losi warns that job losses are deepening inequality, and emphasised that urgent intervention is needed to protect workers and stimulate job creation:

# The Department of Home Affairs has suspended two senior officials after detecting artificial intelligence-generated false references in the new immigration revised white paper. A Chief Director and a Director linked to the drafting process are subject to disciplinary action. The department has appointed independent law firms to investigate and review past policy documents. While the reference list has been withdrawn, the policy content remains intact. The department has apologised and pledged stronger AI oversight and internal reforms to prevent future errors.

# The Congress of the People has called on South Africans, especially the youth, to register and vote in the 4 November local government elections. Acting General Secretary Erick Mohlapamaswi says active participation is key to accountable governance. Mohlapamaswi highlighted service delivery failures and pledged reforms focused on job creation, anti-corruption measures, and improved basic services. He urges voters to support leaders committed to restoring dignity and effective local governance:

# Agri Western Cape and the Garden Route District Municipality have confirmed two new foot-and-mouth disease cases on a cattle farm in Oudtshoorn. Authorities say the farm is under quarantine, with biosecurity measures and vehicle checkpoints in place. Officials warn the outbreak remains a concern, with several farms in nearby Mossel Bay already affected. Efforts are underway to contain the spread and protect the livestock industry.

# A joint statement by foreign ministers of several countries, including South Africa, has condemned the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla. The flotilla, comprising over 40 vessels carrying activists seeking to deliver aid into Gaza, was intercepted by Israeli naval forces on Thursday. The statement by eleven countries, including South Africa, Spain, Brazil, Turkey, Malaysia, Jordan, and Pakistan, condemned in the strongest terms the assault by Israeli forces on the flotilla, a peaceful civil humanitarian initiative to draw the attention of the world to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

# And soccer: Leeds all but secured their place in the Premier League next season with a 3-1 win over already-relegated Burnley yesterday. Goals from Anton Stach, Noah Okafor, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin took Daniel Farke’s side nine points clear of the relegation zone with just four games remaining for those below them. They are now up to 14th in an impressive first season back in the top flight, along with Sunderland, bucking the trend of promoted sides falling straight back to the second tier.

Stay tuned for more news………….