News 07:00

BULLETIN 20 May 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa’s meeting with Trump is about enhancing relations
# The State Information Technology Agency is being probed for corruption
# And Israel will allow food into Gaza

# Department of International Relations and Cooperation says president Cyril Ramaphosa’s meeting with US president Donald Trump on Wednesday will be a positive step in enhancing relations between the two countries. Recently, at least 49 white Afrikaners left the country for America under the guise that they are seeking refuge from what Trump termed as a genocide in South Africa. DIRCO’s Clayson Monyela told the SABC that the government has always maintained the principle that political challenges are best resolved through dialogue:

# The DA says 155 children under the age of five have died from malnutrition in public health facilities since January this year. According to the party, the highest numbers were recorded in Limpopo, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal. Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi revealed the statistics in response to a written parliamentary question. The DA’s Michele Clarke says the crisis is driven by rising unemployment and the cost of living:

# The Special Investigating Unit has been authorised to probe allegations of maladministration and corruption at the State Information Technology Agency. The investigation will focus on procuring a turnkey software asset management solution and integrated logistics support services. The SIU says it will assess whether the procurement process adhered to National Treasury guidelines or if it was tainted by irregularities, lack of transparency, or wasteful expenditure. It will also examine any unlawful or improper conduct by Sita employees, suppliers, or other entities involved in the contract.

# Johannesburg mayoral committee member for Human Settlement, Mlungisi Mabaso, has condemned Monday’s deadly protest in Diepkloof. Residents from the Diepkloof Hostel took to the streets over housing issues, including alleged private ownership of parts of the hostel. The protest led to the death of two people, including a refuse collector. Mabaso says they are investigating the circumstances that have resulted in parts of the hostel being owned by private individuals:

# Aid supplies were expected to enter Gaza after a blockade lasting nearly three months. Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to the arrangement after allies threatened to withdraw support for his country because they cannot accept the images of hunger coming from the territory. Global food security experts have warned of famine across the territory, with a UN-backed report warning one in five people in Gaza were facing starvation. According to the Associated Press news agency, 20 aid trucks carrying mostly food would go into the territory.

# Tennis: World number one Jannik Sinner says he’s happy with his level, despite losing to number two, Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, in Sunday’s final of the Italian Open. The local hero played brilliantly on his return from a three-month doping ban, but Alcaraz was just too strong. Sinner says his form gives him confidence for the French Open, starting in Paris on Sunday. Alcaraz is the defending champion, underlining his dominance on clay courts, while the Italian’s three Grand Slam titles all came on hard courts.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-7-cents and the euro at 20-rand-32-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-16-cents and Bitcoin trades at 106-thousand-534-dollar-40-cents. Gold sells at three-thousand-226-dollars-16-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-42-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….