News 09:00

BULLETIN 5 June 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa will launch the rollout of Lenacapavir today
# Deputy minister Nel calls on South Africans to defend the Constitution
# And, the Griekwastad murderer’s parole is overturned

# President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially launch the rollout of the lifesaving HIV prevention injectable medicine, Lenacapavir, in Secunda, Mpumalanga, today. This is a new long-acting antiretroviral drug that is delivered by injection only twice a year, offering six months of continuous protection per dose. The Presidency says the rollout of Lenacapavir highlights the collaboration between the government, civil society, and private sector, and development partners amongst the stakeholders committed to ending HIV as a public health threat in South Africa.

# Deputy minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel, says poverty, unemployment, inequality, crime, corruption and gender-based violence are ongoing obstacles to achieving the vision of the country’s Constitution. This year, South Africa marks 30 years since the adoption of the Constitution. Nel warns that democratic values were increasingly under threat globally, with growing attacks on equality, inclusion, democratic institutions and the rule of law:

# The Correctional Supervision and Parole Review Board has overturned the parole of the infamous Griekwastad murderer. The man was convicted of the murders of his mother, father and younger sister at their family home in Griekwastad, Northern Cape, in 2012. He was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment in August 2014. His parole was granted earlier this year. Department of Correctional Services spokesperson, Euné Wessels, says minister Pieter Groenewald received numerous representations from the community and referred the decision for review:

# The US House of Representatives has approved the Ukraine Support Act, a key legislation that will provide aid to Kyiv while imposing sanctions against Russia. The legislation passed in a 226 to 195 vote, and provides about 16.2-billion-rand in security and reconstruction aid to Ukraine. It would also authorise about 129-billion-rand in financing loans for Kyiv’s defence operations. Meanwhile, the legislation also cracks down on Russia with new oil and gas sanctions. The Republican-led Senate is unlikely to approve the bill.

# Soccer: Spaniard Andoni Iraola has been appointed as the new Liverpool manager, signing a two-year deal. The 43-year-old replaces Arne Slot, who was sacked just a year after winning the Premier League title. The former Bournemouth manager led the Cherries to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League and a place in next season’s Europa League. Iraola says he understands what is expected of him, emphasising that he is ready for the challenge ahead:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-32-cents and the euro at 18-rand-96-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-92-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-120-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-440-dollars-48-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 94-dollars-41-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….