News 06:00

BULLETIN 23 June 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The National Defence Force has been placed on standby for the June 30 protests
# The Government calms tensions over the 500 Malawian nationals housed in Johannesburg
# And rugby: Siphosethu Mnebelele is the new Junior Bok captain

# Minister of Defence and Military Veteran, Angie Motshekga, says she is satisfied that the necessary coordination mechanisms across the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster are in place to respond swiftly and effectively to any eventuality in the anti-illegal immigration protests next week. Anti-immigrant groups have imposed 30 June as the deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa. Motshekga says the South African National Defence Force has been placed on standby as a contingency measure:

Meanwhile, the government is calling for calm after about 500 Malawian nationals were temporarily accommodated at a church in Newlands in Johannesburg. This follows their relocation from Cape Town as part of a coordinated voluntary return process arranged with the Malawian embassy. Deputy government spokesperson William Baloyi says the situation is being handled lawfully and humanely, urging the public not to interfere with the process:

# The Madlanga commission heard evidence relating to an alleged cocaine deal involving businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala and his associate, Medicare24 CEO Mike van Wyk. Testimony presented to the commission included WhatsApp messages and a video said to show suspected cocaine being weighed, with discussions reportedly referring to pricing and quantities. Chief evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson told the inquiry that forensic analysis linked similar seized substances to cocaine:

# The Land Bank is calling for urgent action to remove barriers preventing young people from entering agriculture, as the sector remains underused for job creation and economic inclusion. The bank states that high youth unemployment and limited access to land, finance, skills, and mentorship continue to block many aspiring young farmers from getting started. The bank’s acting CEO, Jabu Mphambo, says the sector has strong potential to create jobs and help reduce youth unemployment.

# Rugby: Siphosethu Mnebelele will captain the Junior Springboks at the Junior World Championship in Georgia after lock Riley Norton was included in the senior Bok squad for the Nations Championship. Norton was replaced by utility forward Thomas Beling, while winger Cheslin Jooste was drafted in place of Vusi Moyo, who was also promoted to senior service. Akahluwa Boqwana replaces winger Zekhethelo Siyaya, who was injured during Saturday’s match between South Africa A and Zimbabwe. Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote says Norton and Moyo thoroughly deserve their opportunities.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-39-cents and the euro at 18-rand-74-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-14-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-191-dollars-54-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-35-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Legendary music mogul Clive Davis has passed away at the age of 94. The former head of Colombia and Arista Records, famously dubbed “the man with the golden ears,” died at his Manhattan home on Monday. Davis’s 50-year career saw him work with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Billy Joel, and Alicia Keys. His family says he will be remembered as a towering figure whose influence changed music forever, as well as the man who led his family with kindness.

Stay tuned for more news………….