News 08:00

BULLETIN 29 May 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Amnesty International calls for free, fair, and human rights-respecting elections
# The Presidency refutes claims that load-shedding will return after the elections
# And ten teachers are killed in a crash between a truck and a taxi in Limpopo

# Amnesty International South Africa has urged the Electoral Commission, parties, candidates and authorities to ensure free and fair elections that uphold human rights. Director Shenilla Mohamed stressed voters’ rights, dignity and safety must be protected. Mohamed noted that only four parties and one independent candidate signed Amnesty’s Human Rights Manifesto pledging commitment released last month. She has called for the need for universal principles to guide South Africa’s future:

# The Presidency says claims about the imminent return of load-shedding are factually incorrect, and an ill-guided political ploy to mislead the country with elections taking place today. Load-shedding has been suspended for 62 consecutive days. The presidency says there is growing and overwhelming support for Eskom’s sustained and rigorous effort to self-correct, stabilise and strengthen the generation system. Eskom’s spokesperson, Daphne Mokwena, says load-shedding continues to be suspended:

# The South African Union of Students has commended the National Student Financial Aid Scheme for terminating the contracts of payment providers. The scheme terminated the contracts of direct payment service providers Ezaga Holdings, Coinvest Africa, Norraco Corporation, and Tenet Technologies, following recommendations of the Werkmans Attorneys report. The report raised the alarm on procurement systems and management deficiencies at Nsfas. The union says while payment systems worked for the interim, the scheme’s new interventions allow better payment options for students.

# The Limpopo Department of Education has confirmed that ten of the 13 people killed in yesterday morning’s accident on the Polokwane-Dendron road were teachers. A truck collided with a minibus taxi after the truck drove in the oncoming lane. The other deceased in the accident were the taxi driver, a truck driver, and an Eskom employee. Reckless driving has been listed as the cause of the crash. 

# Tennis: Defending champion Novak Djokovic is through to the second round of the French Open. The Serb defeated Frances Pierre-Hugues Herbert, 6-4, 7-6, 6-4, as he aims to win a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title. Two-time runner-up Casper Ruud of Norway beat Brazilian qualifier Felipe Meligeni Alves in straight sets. There were also wins for Australia’s Alex de Minaur and American Taylor Fritz. Djokovic, who plays Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena next, says he felt good on the court:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-31-cents and the euro at 19-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-35-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-381-dollars-34-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-356-dollars-13-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-8-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….