News 06:00

BULLETIN 20 May 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Mantashe defends fuel supply stability
# Frank Chikane reveals the torture he endured at the hands of Security Branch officers
# And rugby: The Lions have injury concerns before the URC quarterfinal against Leinster

# Mineral and Petroleum Resources minister Gwede Mantashe says South Africa will not face fuel shortages despite rising global oil prices linked to tensions at the Strait of Hormuz. However, opposition parties have criticised the government’s handling of fuel pricing. During a budget debate, Mantashe told members of Parliament that a government visit to the region is needed to better understand what is driving the price increases:

# The University of the Western Cape has voiced support for postgraduate student Hajar Kagiso Al-Tha’irah Ahjum-Mathee, who was part of the Global Sumud Flotilla delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. The vessel was intercepted by Israeli forces earlier this week in the Mediterranean. Hajar, who is pursuing a master’s degree in medical bioscience and is the chairperson of the university’s Palestinian Solidarity Association, has received strong backing from the institution. The university has joined international calls for the safe and immediate release of all detained participants.

# Anti-apartheid activist reverend Frank Chikane says he endured a lot at the hands of apartheid-era Security Branch officers. He testified before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission cases inquiry yesterday, which is probing delays in prosecuting apartheid-era crimes. In 1989, he survived poisoning by apartheid state operatives while serving as the general secretary of the South African Council of Churches. Chikane relived the torture and attempted poisoning he survived:

# Rand Water chairperson Ramateu Monyokolo says Water and Sanitation minister Pemmy Majodina’s 2026 Budget Vote marks a major step in addressing South Africa’s water crisis. Monyokolo says it reflects a shift toward stronger governance, accountability, and institutional reform. Monyokolo highlighted issues such as failing municipal infrastructure, sewage spills, and unreliable supply. Monyokolo welcomed plans for a National Water Crisis Committee and improved coordination across government. He stressed that success depends on implementation, financial discipline, and restoring public trust in water services.

# World Health Organisation director general, doctor Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has expressed concern over the speed and scale of the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. There have been 131 deaths linked to the outbreak. The WHO has declared the outbreak an international emergency. Ghebreyesus says the number of cases and deaths would change, as field operations are scaling up, including strengthening surveillance, contact tracing, and laboratory testing:

# Rugby: The Lions will probably be without two stalwarts, Springbok scrumhalf Morné van der Berg and flanker Ruan Venter, for next weekend’s United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against Leinster in Ireland. Both returned home already, while the rest of the squad remained in Ireland after this past weekend’s final group match against Munster. The Johannesburg team is also worried over the fitness of captain Francke Horn and centre Henco van Wyk, but coach Ivan van Rooyen believes both could recover in time for the Leinster clash.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-68-cents and the euro at 19-rand-37-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-35-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-675-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-481-dollars-91-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 107-dollars-21-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….