News 06:00

BULLETIN 5 June 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa authorises the Special Investigation Unit to probe the security industry and UIF
# South Africa’s electricity generation drops by nine-percent in April
# And rugby: The match officials for July’s Nations Championship are confirmed

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed a proclamation authorising the Special Investigating Unit to investigate allegations of maladministration and unlawful conduct, linked to training contracts awarded by the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority and the Unemployment Insurance Fund. The investigations will focus on training programmes provided to more than seven-thousand learners across the country, including Election Observer Training and PSIRA security training courses. The SIU will examine whether payments made under the contracts were fair, competitive, transparent, equitable, and cost-effective. Investigators will also probe allegations of unlawful conduct by officials.

# Statistics South Africa says electricity production fell by nine-percent in April , while consumption dropped by five-percent. On a monthly basis, generation declined by 1.7-percent, continuing a downward trend over recent months. Electricity use also fell by 1.3-percent from March, although it showed a slight increase over the past three months. Stats SA’s Tsholofelo Ditinti says the figures reflect continued pressure on both supply and demand in the power sector:

# The National Prosecuting Authority has re-enrolled the Nulane corruption case at the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court in the Free State. The case relates to the alleged irregular awarding of a nearly R25-million contract for the provincial Agriculture Department to Gupta-linked Nulane Investments. Investigating Directorate Against Corruption spokesperson Henry Mamothame says the case will return to court in September for further proceedings:

# The Western Cape Education Department says schools in the Eden and Central Karoo districts will reopen today as planned after recent flooding disruptions. Only schools granted permission due to blocked roads and unsafe access will stay closed, and those schools will inform parents directly. Education MEC David Maynier says catch-up plans will be put in place to ensure lost teaching time is recovered:

# The Iran-backed militant group, Hezbollah, has rejected the ceasefire agreement reached between the Lebanese government and Israel. The deal called for a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the group’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem says the ceasefire is a roadmap to annihilate a segment of the Lebanese people and enslave the rest. He has called on the Lebanese government to halt direct negotiations with Israel, calling them futile and humiliating. Over three-thousand people have been killed in Lebanon since the start of the war.

# Rugby: New Zealand referee, James Dolman, will take charge of the Springboks opener in the inaugural Nations Championship against England at Ellis Park on July 4th. Sixteen referees will officiate 18 matches that will be played in the southern hemisphere next month. France’s Pierre Brousset will take the whistle for South Africa versus Scotland in Pretoria, with Irishman Andrew Brace overseeing the Boks-Wales clash in Durban. The second leg of the competition will be played in the northern hemisphere in November, leading to the finals weekend in London.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-29-cents and the euro at 18-rand-93-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-88-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-466-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-475-dollars-77-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 94-dollars-3-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….