News 08:00

BULLETIN 22 May 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa extends the deployment of the Defence Force at Eskom power stations
# The Judicial Service Commission recommends Mandisa Maya as the new Chief Justice
# And the defence rests its case in Trump’s hush money trial

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the deployment of the South African National Defence Force personnel at Eskom. The president deployed 746 soldiers to Eskom’s power stations in December 2022. This was to help police protect power stations where sabotage, theft, and other crimes may threaten the functioning of stations and the supply of electricity. The estimated cost is about 203.9-million-rand. Meanwhile, Ramaphosa has also extended the deployment of two-thousand-300 SANDF members to assist police to prevent and combat illegal mining activities. The cost is estimated to be 349.9-million-rand.

# The Judicial Service Commission has resolved to advise president Cyril Ramaphosa to appoint Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya as the next Chief Justice. She was the sole candidate to be interviewed for the position by the commission yesterday. If appointed, Maya will replace Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, who will be retiring in August. She would also be the first woman to hold the position. Maya says the country needs a judiciary that has the trust and belief of citizens:

# The Democratic Municipal and Allied Workers Unions of South Africa is calling for the release of four of its members who were arrested for protesting outside Pikitup in Johannesburg. Refuse collection remains impacted by a strike by workers contracted to Pikitup, with ten of its 12 depots affected. The workers are demanding permanent positions from the waste management company. The union’s secretary-general, Meshack Ntshauba, says the arrested members will appear in Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court today:

# Former US president Donald Trump says he is confident about the outcome of his criminal hush money trial. The defence rested its case yesterday without the former president testifying. Trump who is all but guaranteed to be the Republican presidential nominee, is charged with falsifying business records related to paying former adult film star Stormy Daniels for her silence about an alleged sexual encounter. Closing arguments will be heard next week Tuesday and a verdict is possible by the end of that week.

# Golf: Louisville police say it will investigate if procedures were followed in the arrest of world number one Scottie Scheffler at the PGA Championship. The American was arrested last week Friday after trying to drive into Valhalla Golf Club in heavy traffic. The 27-year-old is facing charges of second-degree assault, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals from an officer. Scheffler has denied all charges. Louisville’s chief of police Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel says any policy violations will be appropriately addressed.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-5-cents and the euro at 19-rand-60-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-96-cents and Bitcoin trades at 69-thousand-966-dollars-35-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-418-dollars-83-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-20-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….