News 08:00

BULLETIN 5 June 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Tau says South Africa takes its obligations on forced labour very seriously
# The EFF says the rejection of Ekurhuleni’s proposed budget is a victory for constitutional governance
# And, Zelensky proposes a face-to-face meeting with Putin

# Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, says South Africa stands ready to continue to engage with the US. This comes after the US has proposed 12.5-percent tariffs on imports from South Africa and other countries, accusing them of not doing enough to stop trade in goods produced with forced labour. The US argues that the absence of strong import restrictions on forced labour goods distorts global markets. The department’s spokesperson, Kaamil Alli, says South Africa takes its obligations on forced labour very seriously:

# The MK Party says it is finalising its election strategy, mobilisation programme, and organisational structures ahead of the local government elections in November. The party is set to field mayoral candidates in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, eThekwini, Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City and Mangaung. MK Party secretary-general, Sibonelo Nomvalo, says the mayoral candidate selection will prioritise skills, experience and integrity, which will be done through an informed and comprehensive process:

# The EFF in Gauteng has welcomed the rejection of the City of Ekurhuleni’s proposed 2026/2027 budget. The 71-billion-rand budget failed to secure the required support, with 96 councillors voting in favour and 105 against. This means the mayoral committee member for Finance, Jongizizwe Dlabathi, must now present a revised budget for consideration. The EFF says that despite Ekurhuleni’s worsening financial position and repeated failures to meet revenue collection targets, the budget continued to rely on unrealistic revenue projections while presenting itself as a credible financial plan.

# Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a face-to-face meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin in a renewed effort to end the war. This comes as Moscow has intensified its deadly aerial campaign in Kyiv, with Monday’s combined missile and drone strikes killing at least 22 people. In a letter, Zelensky stressed that peace shouldn’t wait until the US turns its attention from Iran to the Ukraine-Russia war. Putin says he is prepared and willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine, but compromises need to be made.

# Golf: Englishman Tommy Fleetwood is part of a four-way tie for the lead alongside Americans Wyndham Clark, JJ Spaun and Ryan Gerard on five-under 67, after the first round of the PGA Tour Memorial tournament in Ohio. One stroke back of the lead is Canadian Nick Taylor. Reigning two-time champion American Scottie Scheffler finished his round one over, while Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy remains in contention as he opened with one-under 71. Fleetwood says the Muirfield Village course is the ultimate test:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-32-cents and the euro at 18-rand-95-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-91-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-723-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-439-dollars-79-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 94-dollars-43-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….