News 06:00

BULLETIN 13 May 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC Youth League says calls for Ramaphosa to step down are political opportunism
# There are calls for Keir Starmer to step down as four ministers resign
# And cricket: Shabnim Ismail is brought back to boost the Proteas Women’s bowling attack

# The ANC Youth League says it rejects the growing calls for president Cyril Ramaphosa to step down, describing it as political opportunism. The president has insisted that he will not resign. This follows last week’s Constitutional Court ruling, which stated that the parliamentary vote that blocked the Section 89 independent panel report into Phala Phala from being referred to an impeachment committee was unlawful. ANC Youth League president, Collen Malatji, says they believe Ramaphosa committed no crime:

Meanwhile, the South African Communist Party says Ramaphosa’s decision to take the section 89 panel report on the Phala Phala matter for review will delay any impeachment process. The party argues that this prolongs uncertainty around allegations of serious misconduct and leaves the matter unresolved for longer. It warns the delay deepens concerns about trust in government and leadership. SACP’s Mbulelo Mandlana calls for a faster impeachment process to avoid further damage to confidence in state institutions.

# The South African Electricity Traders Association says electricity reforms in South Africa are now less about policy direction and more about execution. The group, working with Krutham, states the government has broadly agreed on a multi-market electricity system, but progress remains uneven, and timelines are shifting in several areas. Key reforms still to be finalised include the electricity pricing policy, market trading rules, and Eskom’s restructuring process. The group warns weak capacity and delays in implementation could slow down the reform process.

# The Social Movement for Advocacy, Rights, and Transformation says it is appalled by findings in the Gauteng Liquor Board inquiry report released by MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa. The group’s Lehlogonolo Muthevhuli alleges that corruption, maladministration, and weak enforcement have enabled widespread illegal liquor trading across Gauteng. She warns that liquor outlets near schools are worsening substance abuse, crime, and social decay:

# Four ministers have resigned as there are growing calls for UK prime minister Keir Starmer to resign following the Labour Party’s disastrous local election results. In his resignation letter, Health minister Zubir Ahmed said it’s clear the public has irretrievably lost confidence in Starmer. Communities minister Miatta Fahnbulleh, Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, and minister for Victims and Tackling Violence against Women and Girls, Alex Davies-Jones, have also resigned. Starmer told his cabinet that the Labour Party has a process for challenging a leader, and that has not been triggered.

# Cricket: Proteas Women’s head coach Mandla Mashimbuyi says veteran Shabnim Ismail was brought back because they need her X-factor for the T20 World Cup, starting in England and Wales next month. The 37-year-old was included in the 15-player squad after reversing her retirement. Mashimbuyi says he had been in talks with Ismail after last year’s 50-over World Cup in India because he wanted to boost South Africa’s lacklustre bowling attack. Her return is described as the Proteas’ best chance to clinch an elusive World Cup title.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-48-cents and the euro at 19-rand-36-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-32-cents and Bitcoin trades at 80-thousand-652-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-716-dollars-39-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 105-dollars-9-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….