News 07:00

BULLETIN 26 May 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Parliament names the 31 members who will sit on the impeachment committee
# A group of deputy ministers will lead a task team to tackle undocumented migrants
# And, Cosatu urges the Reserve Bank to keep the repo rate unchanged

# Parliament has announced the names of the 31 members who will serve on the impeachment committee to determine president Cyril Ramaphosa’s fate. Political parties submitted their representatives ahead of last Friday’s deadline, while the ANC finalised its list over the weekend. The ANC has nine members in the multi-party committee, including Doris Mpapane, Cameron Dugmore, and Faith Muthambi. The DA has five members, including chief whip Glynnis Breytenbach. Some of the other names on the committee include EFF leader Julius Malema and MK Party parliamentary leader John Hlophe.

# The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster ministers have established a task team of deputy ministers to work with law enforcement agencies to address the issue of undocumented foreign nationals in the country. The JCPS Cluster met political party representatives, groups and associations in Pretoria yesterday, who have been involved in protests against undocumented migrants. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, says deputy ministers of Police and Home Affairs, Polly Boshielo, and Njabulo Nzuza, will lead the task team:

# Union federation Cosatu has urged the South African Reserve Bank not to increase the repo rate at its upcoming meeting. The federation argues workers are already under pressure from high living costs, mainly due to rising fuel prices. It warns that higher interest rates would increase debt, slow the economy, and worsen unemployment, which is already extremely high. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks calls for continued fuel levy relief to help ease pressure on households:

# AfriForum has warned the Gauteng Department of Transport to halt its planned rollout of new number plates or face legal action. The civil rights organisation argues the project should be suspended until the Competition Tribunal completes its case against three manufacturers accused of fixing plate prices. AfriForum’s Louis Boshoff says the government has not been clear about costs and deadlines, and motorists should not be forced to pay for expensive new plates:

# The Iranian Foreign Ministry says that although a large portion of issues with the US have been resolved, a deal is not imminent. Reportedly, disputes over language concerning Iran’s nuclear programme and the lifting of sanctions have held up finalisation of a deal to end the war. A potential deal reportedly includes a 60-day ceasefire extension, reopening the Strait of Hormuz to international vessels, and a plan for further negotiations over the nuclear programme. The ministry’s spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, says they are focused on safeguarding Iran’s interests.

# Rugby: Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote has made several rotational and injury-enforced changes to his match-23 for the second round of the Under-20 International Series against Fiji in Cape Town today. Loose forwards Risima Khosa and Vuyo Gwiji have been ruled out, and Quintin Potgieter and Luke Cannon replace them. Jordan Steenkamp replaces Lindsey Jansen at left wing, while fit-again midfielder Christian Vorster is preferred at outside centre. Luan Giliomee returns at fullback. The Junior Boks thrashed Chile 97-0 in the opening round last week.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-32-cents and the euro at 18-rand-99-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-2-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-746-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-543-dollars-96-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 95-dollars-31-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….