News 11:00

BULLETIN 1 June 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa warns Parliament against proceeding with the impeachment process against him
# Israel’s expanded invasion of Lebanon is condemned
# And soccer: All Bafana Bafana’s players now have visas for the World Cup

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says he won’t interdict the preparatory work of the impeachment committee, unless it begins the impeachment process against him while the Western Cape High Court is still reviewing the Phala Phala Section 89 panel’s report. The committee will meet for the first time today to elect a chairperson and chart a way forward. In his review application, Ramaphosa says it would be a travesty if Parliament were to proceed with an impeachment process when a challenge to the lawfulness and validity of the report is pending.

Meanwhile, DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis says the committee must pursue the truth without fear or favour. Speaking to SABC News, Hill-Lewis said the process is about protecting the values of accountability, ethics and honesty in government rather than any individual or administration. He stresses all findings must be guided by evidence and anyone found guilty of wrongdoing should be held accountable, regardless of their political position or influence:

# The MK Party says the Conference of the Left has shown that progressive forces remain resilient and capable of shaping an alternative future for South Africa. The conference aimed to strengthen coordination, unity in action, political education, and organised struggle among leftist and working-class formations. The MK Party’s second deputy president, Tony Yengeni, stresses the importance of unity, but states it cannot mean the abandonment of principle, nor can ideological diversity become an excuse for paralysis and endless internal conflict:

Moving abroad:

# France, the UK and Germany have condemned Israel’s expanded invasion of Lebanon following the capture of the strategic site of Beaufort Castle. The castle has been key to controlling the region around it since the Crusaders built it some 900 years ago. France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, says nothing justifies the major escalation underway in south Lebanon. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has called on Israel to halt its military activity, saying its escalation had eroded space for diplomacy. Germany’s Foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, says Israel’s advance was a cause for serious concern.

# Soccer: The minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has confirmed that all 26 Bafana Bafana players have now received their visas and will travel to North America for the World Cup today. The national team was scheduled to leave yesterday, but an administrative visa blunder grounded the squad. The assistant coach, team doctor, head of security, and an analyst are still waiting for visas. Deputy minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, says heads must roll:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-23-cents and the euro at 18-rand-93-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-86-cents and Bitcoin trades at 72-thousand-982-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-508-dollars-11-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 93-dollars-31-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….