News 09:00

BULLETIN 8 May 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Lamola says complaints about xenophobic attacks undermine the country’s foreign policy
# The DA says a damning forensic report exposes minister Tolashe’s lack of accountability
# And, the US and Iran exchange fire in the Strait of Hormuz

# Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, says complaints about xenophobia in South Africa undermine the country’s foreign policy, particularly its human rights outlook. Countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Lesotho have expressed concern that their nationals are encountering xenophobic violence in the country. Lamola says there is no way migration can be dealt with without dealing with the ‘push factors’ that prompted people to leave their home countries to migrate to South Africa.

# The DA wants answers on the cost of the forensic investigation requested by Social Development minister Sisisi Tolashe, into how her signature appeared on the employment contract of former director-general Peter Netshipale. He had been given a five-year contract despite the Cabinet only approving him for a one-year term. The DA’s Nazley Sharif says a forensic report found that the minister’s claim that she did not authorise the signing of the DG’s contract suggests she failed to comply with her statutory obligation:

# The GOOD Party in Tshwane says actions taken by the metro’s multi-party coalition government are delivering real results, growth and change. Tshwane is operating under a fully funded budget, with cash flow reserves increasing from just 17 days last year to 25 days. GOOD’s Sarah Mabotsa says almost one-third of the 6.67-billion-rand Eskom debt left by the previous administration has now been paid off, and residents are paying their municipal accounts:

# The US and Iranian forces exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. The US Central Command said its forces intercepted unprovoked Iranian attacks and responded with self-defence strikes targeting launch sites in Tehran. Iran’s top military command alleged the US had targeted an Iranian oil tanker and another vessel approaching the Strait. In response, Tehran attacked US military vessels, claiming it inflicted significant damage. Iran has accused America of violating the ceasefire, while the US says it doesn’t seek escalation and the ceasefire remains in place.

# Cricket: Bottom of the table Lucknow Super Giants stunned defending champions the Royal Challengers Bengaluru by nine runs in a rain-interrupted Indian Premier League clash. The match was reduced to 19 overs due to repeated rain interruptions. Mitchell Marsh scored 111 off 56 balls as he powered the Super Giants to 209 for three. In reply, Prince Yadav took three wickets as RCB finished on 203 for six. Despite the win, LSG remain bottom of the table, but are still mathematically alive in the playoff race.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-45-cents and the euro at 19-rand-29-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-30-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 79-thousand-663-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-717-dollars-11-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 99-dollars-88-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….