News 09:00

BULLETIN 11 May 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cosatu calls a for probe into the George building collapse tragedy
# Eskom refutes media reports about the excessive use of diesel to avert load-shedding
# And, rugby: Huge changes to Baby Boks’ team for the final Under 20 Rugby Championship match

# Cosatu calls on the Department of Employment and Labour to appoint an independent judicial enquiry into the George building collapse tragedy. This should include whether the municipality failed to apply building and employment laws, and if there is a corrupt relationship between the company and municipal officials. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says the federation believes the employer has shown criminal neglect to the workers and must be charged:  

# Eskom has dismissed speculation that it is extensively using open-cycle gas turbines to avert load-shedding, which has not been implemented for 44 days. It says the continuous suspension is due to sufficient generation capacity, resulting from a more reliable generation fleet. Eskom’s spokesperson, Daphne Mokwena, says the power utility’s budget for diesel from April to June is 5.8-billion-rand, and as of ninth of this month, only 19.7-percent of that has been spent:

# Minister Ebrahim Patel has welcomed Hisense South Africa’s commitment to increase procurement from local and black-owned businesses, exceeding one-billion-rand over five years. During the minister’s visit to the Hisense facility in Atlantis, the company unveiled a new 100-inch television, signifying expanded local production. With increased investment, including one-billion-rand in black suppliers, Hisense aims to bolster economic empowerment and industrial growth while creating jobs. Minister Patel emphasises the significance of integrating black industrialists into the value chain for sustainable economic development.

# Mozambican president Filipe Nyusi says the country’s army is fighting armed groups who launched a major attack on the northern town of Macomia. Reuters reports the town is in Cabo Delgado, a gas-rich northern province where groups linked to ISIS launched an armed uprising in 2017. Despite a large security response, there has been a surge in attacks since January. A regional force from the Southern African Development Community started withdrawing from Mozambique last month as its mandate ends in July.

# And, rugby: The Junior Springboks take on Argentina in their final match in the Under 20 Rugby Championship in Australia tomorrow after a disappointing tournament so far. They played to a draw against New Zealand before losing to the hosts. Zachary Porthen returns as captain after a hand injury. Head coach Bafana Nhleko made huge changes to the Baby Boks’ starting line-up, with only four players retaining their same positions than against the Wallabies. Kick-off in Bokarina is at 5.30 tomorrow morning, South African time.

Stay tuned for more news………….