News 07:00

BULLETIN 14 May 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa will appear in Parliament today to account for the work of government
# The EFF says prison overcrowding is a crisis
# And, King Charles says the UK is being threatened by a dangerous and volatile world

# President Cyril Ramaphosa will respond to questions for oral reply in the National Assembly in Cape Town today, providing answers to questions on issues related to national, continental, and global matters affecting South Africa. He will answer questions, including on the impact of various investment conferences in boosting employment opportunities, the success of the roll-out of Operation Prosper, and the government’s plans to address students’ debt. Ramaphosa will also address matters relating to the minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe, and the National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola.

# The EFF has rejected the Department of Correctional Services budget, which stands at some 30.939-billion-rand, rising to 32.8-billion-rand in 2028/2029. The department is facing 683.4-million-rand budget reductions over the current Medium-Term Expenditure Framework. The EFF’s Nontando Nolutshungu says this budget entrenches overcrowding, institutional decay, and human suffering. As of 5 May this year, the inmate population was recorded at just more than 169-thousand, with an overcrowding rate of 58-percent. Nolutshungu says overcrowding is a crisis in the country’s prisons:

# The Department of Social Development has suspended the special advisor to minister Sisisi Tolashe, Ngwako Kgatla, following the Public Service Commission’s investigation. The investigation found that Kgatla had manipulated the CV of a relative to secure her appointment as the minister’s private secretary. The PSC found that there was collusion, fraud, and forgery in the document. The department says the suspension is a necessary procedural step and seeks to allow it to conduct a thorough investigation into the Service Commission’s findings.

# The DA in Gauteng has condemned the ongoing collapse of Tembisa Hospital in Ekurhuleni. According to the party, the facility has more than 200 vacant posts, including doctors, nurses, and support staff, leading to long waiting times and increased pressure on workers. The DA’s Jack Bloom warns that shortages of key equipment, such as ventilators and monitors, are putting patients at risk:

# King Charles says an increasingly dangerous and volatile world threatens the United Kingdom, with the conflict in the Middle East only the most recent example. He addressed Parliament yesterday, where he outlined plans for legislation to reform the police, the National Health Service, and the criminal justice system, and a bill to strengthen ties with the European Union. King Charles warned that every element of Britain’s energy, defence, and economic security will be tested:

# Cricket: England reshaped its squad for the first Test against New Zealand, choosing Emilio Gay as Ben Duckett’s opening partner in place of Zak Crawley. This is reportedly pointing to a rebuild after their woes in the recent Ashes Series against Australia. Twenty-six-year-old Gay is being rewarded for an impressive county championship where he hit three centuries for Durham. Uncapped fast bowler Sonny Baker and wicketkeeper James Rew were also included. The first of three Tests starts at Lord’s in London on the fourth of next month.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-41-cents and the euro at 19-rand-22-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-19-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 79-thousand-612-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-692-dollars-73-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 103-dollars-and-1-cent a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….