News 07:00

BULLETIN 19 May 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South African Faizel Moosa is detained by Israeli forces on the Global Sumud Flotilla
# President Ramaphosa says they are working on closing the gap between investment pledges and implementation
# And, more than 100 deaths are linked to the Ebola outbreak in the DRC

# South African Faizel Moosa is one of about 100 activists who have reportedly been detained by Israeli forces. This comes after Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla of more than 50 boats carrying aid for Gaza in international waters west of Cyprus on Monday. Moosa was aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the mission as a malicious scheme intended to support Hamas. Moosa, who recorded a video before being detained, said he has been illegally kidnapped:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says there remains a disconnect between improved investor sentiment and greater investment. South Africa’s Gross Fixed Capital Formation has seen a steady decline since 2008. In his weekly newsletter, the president says this is due to the global financial crisis and the period of state capture, which progressively undermined private investment and business confidence. Ramaphosa says the government is aiming to narrow the gap between investment pledges, implementation, and, eventually, job creation. 

# The Electoral Commission has raised concerns over inaccurate statements about the integrity of the 2024 national and provincial elections. This follows remarks by EFF leader Julius Malema, who alleged on a podcast that votes at Mponegele Primary School in Polokwane, Limpopo, were swapped from the red berets to the ANC. The IEC says the claim is incorrect and there is no evidence of vote manipulation. It adds that official result slips match the figures captured on its results system.

# The Gauteng Gambling Board CEO, Karabo Mbele, has been dismissed with immediate effect, for governance failures and gross misconduct. This follows a forensic investigation report into the entity’s operations. Gauteng Economic Development MEC, Vuyiswa Ramakgopa, has also placed the gambling board’s chief financial officer, Oscar Maripane, on suspension, following revelations of procurement irregularities and financial governance failures. Ramakgopa says this is not a decision that has been taken hastily or for political expediency:

# The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 100 suspected deaths have now been linked to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Over 390 suspected cases have been reported. There are also two confirmed cases and one death in Uganda. At least six Americans have been exposed to Ebola in the DRC. World Health Organisation regional director for Africa, Mohamed Yakub Janabi, says despite the outbreak being an international emergency, there is no need for panic:

# Cricket: Australia’s governing body isn’t worried over ceding control of the country’s money-spinning Big Bash League because of private investment from Indian Premier League franchise owners. Cricket Australia’s privatisation plans for the BBL have stalled after its board couldn’t achieve consensus with state members. Some of the concerns stem from IPL owners’ growing global footprint, with stakes in T20 competitions in South Africa, England, the West Indies, and the United Arab Emirates. C-A’s CEO, Todd Greenberg, says they won’t sell the game to India.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-62-cents and the euro at 19-rand-35-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-29-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-982-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-562-dollars-55-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 106-dollars-42-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….