News 07:00

BULLETIN 12 June 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Creecy says the fuel industry is a strategic sector
# Parliament is calling for government to save the steel industry
# And soccer: the Bafana Bafana coach says they lacked the threat of attacking their opponents

# Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy has called on the fuel industry to deepen collaboration with government, saying the industry’s importance in keeping the country’s economy ticking cannot be underestimated. She addressed the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa Annual Imbizo in Sandton, Johannesburg, yesterday. Creecy emphasised that government is committed to creating an enabling environment through effective policy regulation, infrastructure development planning, and oversight of state-owned entities operating within the transport and logistics sector:

# AfriForum says the delay in releasing the national water action plan shows government inaction as the water crisis continues. The organisation claims the plan has reportedly been finalised and even presented in Parliament, but has still not been made public. AfriForum’s Marais de Vaal says the delay is undermining public trust and shows a failure to implement plans despite measures on maintenance, accountability, and anti-corruption:

# Parliament’s portfolio committee on Trade, Industry and Competition has called for urgent government intervention in the steel industry. The industry is facing mounting pressure from weak economic growth, high electricity costs, insufficient domestic demand, cheap imports, and global overcapacity. The committee says there is a need for effective and thorough engagement with the sector in developing a clear, coordinated, state-led strategy and intervention to stabilise and revive this industry. It adds that the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition must save the steel sector.

# The DA says Tshwane deputy mayor Eugene Modise continues to benefit financially from Triotic Protection Services through rental income and share-related payments, despite resigning as a director of the company. The party alleges Modise has failed to produce any proof of a share sale agreement to support his claims that he no longer holds an interest in the business. The DA’s Jacqui Uys says the company receives about three-million-rand a month from the city:

# British Defence Secretary John Healey has resigned, accusing prime minister Keir Starmer of failing to properly fund the defence investment plan. He is the sixth minister to resign from Starmer’s government in the past month. In his resignation letter, Healey stated that the country’s defence investment plan falls well short of what is required for defence and Britain at this dangerous time. He added that Starmer and the Treasury have been unwilling to commit the resources that the country needs to defend itself at this time of rising threats.

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos says they played well overall in their World Cup opener against co-host Mexico, but believes they lacked the attacking threat they needed. Goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez saw Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in a game that saw three red cards. Bafana Bafana finished the match with nine players after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off in the second half. Broos says Zwane’s red card was soft:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-30-cents and the euro at 18-rand-84-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-85-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-319-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-188-dollars-75-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 88-dollars-55-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….