News 06:00

BULLETIN 30 June 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC reaffirms its commitment to stability in the government of national unity
# The Forum for South Africa welcomes the DA’s withdrawal from the National Dialogue
# And Israel orders evacuations in northern Gaza

# The ANC says it remains committed to the success of the government of national unity and will continue to work with all willing partners in advancing the values of the Constitution. The DA leader, John Steenhuisen, earlier announced that the party will not participate in the National Dialogue after president Cyril Ramaphosa axed the deputy minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Andrew Whitfield. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu says it is rather surprising that the DA has chosen not to support the National Dialogue:

Meanwhile The Forum for South Africa has welcomed the DA’s withdrawal from the National Dialogue, calling it opportunistic but necessary. FOSA spokesperson, Tebogo Mashilompane, maintains the dialogue is a wasteful exercise aimed at shielding failing ministers. Mashilompane argues citizens want action on jobs, safety, and services, not costly discussions. He urges president Cyril Ramaphosa to cancel the dialogue, fire ineffective ministers, and focus on real solutions to the country’s pressing challenges:

# Gauteng MEC for Finance Lebogang Maile says the province will pay 5.76-billion-rand today to settle e-toll debt and support SANRAL’s freeway upgrades. Maile says this forms part of Gauteng’s Provincial Revenue Enhancement Strategy and broader infrastructure plans. He adds that work is ongoing to determine the financing model for phases 2 and 3 of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, with updates to be shared in due course:

# Cape Town’s City Council has approved changes to its Municipal Planning By-law, aiming to expand affordable housing, especially in lower-income backyards. Key changes include new rental flat rights under renamed Residential Zoning incentives in areas like Athlone and Bellville, as well as streamlined communication via email. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says the reforms will empower micro-developers to build safer, legal homes, reduce informality, and generate essential revenue to fund services in growing communities.

# Israel has ordered Palestinians to evacuate from parts of northern Gaza ahead of increased military action, as US President Donald Trump pushes for a ceasefire deal. People in neighbourhoods across Gaza City and Jabalia have been told to move south towards the coastal area of al-Mawasi as Israeli military operations intensify and expand westward. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, at least 86 people were killed as a result of Israeli attacks in the 24 hours before midday on Sunday. Trump previously said he was hopeful a ceasefire in Gaza could be agreed on in the next week.

# Motorsport: Lando Norris won the Austrian Grand Prix from Oscar Piastri for a dominant McLaren 1-2 at the Red Bull Ring on Sunday. The Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton took third and fourth as Norris closed the gap on Piastri in the drivers’ championship to 15 points. Norris started on pole and, despite pressure from his teammate, held on for his third win of the season. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull crashed on the first lap after a collision with Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes when the young Italian rookie’s tyres locked up.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-76-cents and the euro at 20-rand-83-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-37-cents and Bitcoin trades at 108-thousand-416-dollar. Gold sells at three-thousand-266-dollars-49-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-21-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….