News 06:00

BULLETIN 20 June 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Paul Mashatile says South Africa advocates for peaceful resolutions rather than military intervention
# The Eastern Cape flood damage is estimated at four-billion-rand
# And another suspect is arrested for the murder of the journalist Aserie Ndlovu and his partner

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says it has become very clear that the world needs solidarity now more than ever, amidst the tumultuous global crises. He delivered a public lecture at St. Petersburg State University in Russia. He has been on a working visit to Moscow this week, aimed at strengthening economic and trade ties between the two nations. Mashatile says South Africa maintains a non-aligned position in international affairs, prioritising state sovereignty, peaceful dispute resolution, and multilateralism.

# Action Society says bureaucracy and political disagreements are undermining efforts to keep South Africans safe as crime continues to rise. The organisation urges Police minister Senzo Mchunu to give full policing powers to capable municipalities without delay. They argue that limited powers and red tape prevent local police from effectively fighting crime. Action Society’s Juanita du Preez demands urgent reforms to allow municipal police full authority to investigate and arrest offenders:

# Eastern Cape acting premier Mlungisi Mvoko says flood damage in the province is currently estimated at four-billion-rand. Over four-thousand-200 houses have been destroyed, with nearly two-thousand partially damaged. Mvoko confirmed that more than 400 schools and one-thousand-500 classrooms have been affected, impacting over 40-thousand learners. He says the government is committed to assisting victims:

# Police in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga, have confirmed that another suspect has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of journalist Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Mdhluli. The couple disappeared in February, with their remains identified in May through DNA testing after being found in a veld in Rust de Winter, Limpopo. KwaMhlanga police station commander, Lindiwe Dlamini, confirmed that the suspect was arrested last week. Mdhluli and Ndlovu will be laid to rest today and tomorrow in Mpumalanga.

# The World Health Organisation says the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran is putting health facilities and access to health care at risk. A new wave of Iranian missiles hit Israel yesterday, with the Soroka Medical Centre in Beersheba being hit, resulting in over 70 people being injured. WHO director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is calling on all parties to protect health facilities, health personnel, and patients at all times. He adds that the best medicine is peace.

# Cricket: The new World Test Championship cycle is underway after South Africa’s brilliant victory over Australia at Lord’s last weekend, with the first of five Tests between England and India starting at Headingley today. For India, it’s the start of a new era without heavyweights Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma while trying to win a series in England for the first time in 18 years. Shubman Gill is the visitors’ new captain. The next four Tests will be played at Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford and the Oval.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-1-cents and the euro at 20-rand-70-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-25-cents and Bitcoin trades at 104-thousand-860-dollar-10-cents. Gold sells at three-thousand-367-dollars-26-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-23-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….