News 06:00

BULLETIN 15 June 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Deputy president Mashatile says citizens must preserve their cultural heritage
# Julius Malema says Africans must not be distracted by xenophobia
# And rugby: The lock, Adré Smith, has been called up to the Springbok training squad

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile has called on South Africans to continue to build stronger communities, preserve cultural heritage, expand opportunities for youth, and ensure future generations inherit a more prosperous and united society. He delivered the eulogy at the Special Official Funeral service of the late His Majesty King Makhosonke The Second, King of the amaNdebele nation, in Mpumalanga on Sunday. Mashatile also urged traditional leaders to work with the government in the implementation of the Comprehensive Approach to Migration Management:

# EFF leader Julius Malema says international foreign powers have ignored what he described as xenophobic tensions in South Africa because it is not in their interests to intervene. He was speaking at MK Party parliamentary deputy chief whip, Muzi Ntshingila’s funeral service in Johannesburg on Sunday. Malema stated that Africans must not be distracted by internal conflicts such as xenophobia or disputes over spaza shops, but should instead remain united and focus on the bigger struggle of economic liberation:

# The DA is demanding answers on government’s plans to finalise the new Gqeberha Military Hospital in the Eastern Cape, while 1 Military Hospital in Thaba Tshwane military area, remains incomplete for more than two decades of refurbishment efforts. DA Defence spokesperson Chris Hattingh says over one-billion-rand in taxpayer funds has been spent over more than 20 years without the renovations being complete. He says the prolonged delays have weakened military healthcare services, leaving soldiers, veterans, and their families without adequate care.

# The DA has raised concerns about a growing police accountability crisis in KwaZulu-Natal after investigations reveal that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate is handling eight-thousand-751 cases with only 24 investigators. DA National Council of Provinces member Mzamo Billy says with each investigator handling an average of 364 cases each, just six convictions have been made from 302 investigations. Billy says capacity constraints and case management weaknesses are causing serious delays. He is calling for urgent intervention to strengthen investigations and restore public confidence.

# US president Donald Trump says Israel’s strike on Beirut, Lebanon, should not have happened, particularly as they are so close to a peace deal with Iran. The Israel Defence Forces stated that it carried out airstrikes on Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut yesterday morning in response to fire into northern Israel. In a post on Truth Social, Trump emphasised that Israel has a right to defend itself, but the attack it was responding to was very small and meaningless. He added that there should be no more attacks on Lebanon.

# Rugby: Stormers lock Adré Smith has been called up to the Springbok training squad in Johannesburg. With over 50 caps for the Stormers, he is the latest player to join the expanded squad, after his provincial teammate Ruben van Heerden joined the group last week. This is in preparation for the match against the Barbarians and the SA ‘A’ team’s match against Zimbabwe on Saturday in Gqeberha. Bok coach Rassie Erasmus and SA ‘A’ team coach Mzwandile Stick will announce their matchday squads tomorrow.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-17-cents and the euro at 18-rand-78-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-75-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-405-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-291-dollars-one-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-76-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….