News 07:00

BULLETIN 23 June 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Paul Mashatile says South Africa is committed to advancing trade and investment with China
# The Impeachment Committee files an affidavit opposing president Ramaphosa’s interdict
# And, Andy Burnham is sworn in as a new MP, with the likelihood of becoming the new British prime minister

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says South Africa is committed to deepening the comprehensive economic partnership with China, aimed at advancing trade, investment, and long-term industrial cooperation. He addressed the China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing yesterday, as part of his working visit to the country. Mashatile emphasised that South Africa sees significant opportunities for collaboration in three priority areas: agriculture and food systems; critical minerals and the green economy; and advanced manufacturing, logistics and automotive value chains:

# Impeachment Committee chairperson, Makashule Gana, officially filed an affidavit with the Western Cape High Court yesterday, to oppose president Cyril Ramaphosa’s urgent application to interdict the committee from carrying out its work. The president is seeking an interdict pending a review of the independent panel’s report over his conduct following the theft of thousands of US dollars from his Phala Phala farm in 2020. Gana says the work of the committee will not be derailed:

# Acting Police minister Firoz Cachalia has criticised the handling of a planned arrest warrant for Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo and the head of Intelligence Analysis, Nozipho Madondo, describing the process as messy and poorly communicated. The warrant was later put on hold by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption. Addressing the media after a security planning meeting, Cachalia said the situation is concerning, given the seniority of those involved:

# The City of Johannesburg has launched a 100-day challenge against gender-based violence and femicide at the Riverlea Recreation Centre as part of efforts to strengthen awareness and support for survivors. The initiative brings together police, community policing forums, social workers, emergency services, and community organisations to improve reporting, education, and strengthen awareness. The city says it will continue rolling out interventions across its regions to empower communities and support survivors.

# Former Greater Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham, who is poised to succeed Keir Starmer as the leader of the Labour Party and the UK prime minister, was sworn in as a member of Parliament yesterday. Starmer has resigned as prime minister less than two years after a historic election victory, but will stay on until his successor is in place. Burnham has confirmed that he would stand to replace Starmer, with backing from former Health Secretary Wes Streeting. He says political change should never distract from the responsibility to improve people’s lives.

# Tennis: 2023 Wimbledon women’s singles champion, Marketa Vondrousova, has received a four-year ban for refusing an anti-doping test. The 26-year-old Czech was charged by the International Tennis Integrity Agency for failing to submit a sample when notified by a doping control officer on 3rd December last year. Vondrousova cited mental stress and fear when the testing agent rang her doorbell late at night without properly identifying themselves. An independent tribunal found she provided no compelling justification for refusing a test. Her suspension will end on 21 June 2030.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-42-cents and the euro at 18-rand-75-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-74-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-893-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-151-dollars-89-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-58-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….