News 06:00
BULLETIN 18 May 6 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Musi Maimane will represent BOSA on Parliament’s Impeachment Committee
# The severe weather death toll rises to 18
# And, Ukraine drones kill four in the biggest attack on Moscow in over a year
# Build One South Africa leader, Mmusi Maimane, will represent the party on Parliament’s Impeachment Committee. The 31-member committee will consider whether president Cyril Ramaphosa should face impeachment over the theft of US dollars from his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo. BOSA says the committee carries immense constitutional responsibility, and its work cannot become a numbers game designed to shield the president from accountability. It adds that South Africans demand a process that is transparent, evidence-based, and firmly grounded in the rule of law.
# North West businessman Brown Mogotsi plans to sue the state for malicious prosecution and unlawful arrest following his detention on Friday after testifying before the Madlanga Commission. Mogotsi faces allegations of staging an attempted hit on his life in Vosloorus last year. His lawyer, William Sekgatja, says the arrest was unnecessary and a summons should have been used. Mogotsi denies the claims, while investigators link the firearm involved to violent crimes. He is expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court today, facing charges of defeating the ends of justice.
# The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs says severe weather across South Africa has left 18 people dead since 4 May, with flooding and storms causing widespread damage. Cogta spokesperson Pearl Maseko-Binqose says the Western Cape recorded the highest fatalities at 11. Disaster management teams and relief organisations remain on the ground assisting affected communities. Humanitarian group Gift of the Givers says it will continue providing aid, including hot meals and support, to displaced families as recovery efforts continue.
# The DA in Gauteng is calling for an urgent rescue at Tembisa Hospital over severe staff shortages and equipment failures. DA’s Jack Bloom says only 40 of 213 vacant posts are being filled, while key leadership positions remain vacant. Bloom warns that shortages of medical equipment could increase patient deaths and missed diagnoses. He also criticised delays in repairing fire-damaged sections of the hospital, as emergency services remain under pressure:
# At least four people were killed in a major Ukrainian drone attack on Russian regions, including Moscow, which faced its largest assault in more than a year. Authorities said three people died in the Moscow region and one in the Belgorod region yesterday. Several residential high-rises and infrastructure facilities were damaged. TASS reported Air defences destroyed 81 drones headed for Moscow since midnight. According to Mayor Sergei Sobyan, it was the largest attack on the capital in over a year. Russia’s defence ministry said 556 drones had been downed over the country overnight.
# Golf: South Africa’s Gerhard Pepler carded a final round seven-under 65 to win the Sunshine Tour’s Pro-Am tournament at the Irene Country Club in Gauteng. He was able to withstand a strong challenge from compatriot Graham van der Merwe, whose 61 earned him second place on 22 under par. Welshman Jack Davidson closed with a 66 to finish third on 21 under par. Pepler, whose only previous victory on the Sunshine Tour came back in 2023, says he is happy to win again:
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-67-cents and the euro at 19-rand-37-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-19-cents and Bitcoin trades at 78-thousand-9-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-552-dollars-5-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 105-dollars-86-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….