News 07:00

BULLETIN 9 May 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Donald Trump says the election of the first American pope is a great honour
# The DA questions the secrecy over Paul Mashatile’s VIP squad
# And rugby: The country’s United Rugby Championship teams prepare for a Welsh invasion

# US president Donald Trump says the election of Robert Prevost as the new pope, the first American pontiff to be elected leader of the Catholic Church, is a great honour for the country. Pope Leo the 14th was chosen as the 267th pope elected by 133 cardinals locked inside the Sistine Chapel on the second day of their conclave on Thursday. Trump says he looks forward to meeting the new pope. Pope Leo The 14th is expected to build on the late Pope Francis’ reforms.

# The DA says the public deserves to know how deputy president Paul Mashatile’s eight VIP protectors avoided accountability after assaulting civilians on a Gauteng highway in 2023. The party has submitted a Promotion of Access to Information Act application to uncover the decision and the reasons behind the acquittal. The DA’s Ian Cameron states despite clear video evidence, the police’s internal investigation cleared the officers without providing detailed reasons:

Meanwhile, POPCRU has welcomed the acquittal of the officers, condemning public attacks during the legal process. The union sharply criticised Cameron for calling the officers thugs. POPCRU says Cameron’s comments are reckless, defamatory, and endanger trust between the police and the community. They’ve called for his removal and a parliamentary ethics probe, citing misuse of oversight power and undermining due legal process.

# Finance minister Enoch Godongwana says that the government must accelerate economic reform to drive more rapid and inclusive growth over the next five years. This as the second phase of Operation Vulindlela will increase the pace of reforms already underway in phase one. Godongwana says commitment to the swift implementation of reforms is required to lower business costs, reduce regulatory bottlenecks, and provide policy certainty. He adds that this, in turn, will promote investment, support export orientation, enable job creation, and reinforce growth.

# Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane says he is devastated at the tragic death of an 18-year-old boy learner from Musi High School in Soweto. Simphiwe Biyela was allegedly stabbed by a University of Johannesburg student while on his way home. This incident led to disruptions at Musi High School and other schools in Pimville on Wednesday. The department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, says police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate death of Biyela:

# Rugby: South Africa’s United Rugby Championship teams are preparing for a Welsh invasion. While the Bulls have secured their spot in the top four already, the Sharks are looking to seal a home quarter-final, while the Stormers and the Lions have to win to reach the top eight. The Sharks face Ospreys in Durban this evening. Tomorrow, the Bulls and Cardiff meet in Pretoria, and the Stormers face the Dragons in Cape Town. On Sunday, the Lions host Scarlets in Johannesburg.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-26-cents and the euro at 20-rand-48-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-16-cents and Bitcoin trades at 102-thousand-684-dollar-70-cents. Gold sells at three-thousand-302-dollars-22-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-92-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….