News 08:00

BULLETIN 13 June 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Centre for Development and Enterprise calls for the overhaul of South Africa’s Cabinet
# The ANC redeploys the eThekwini mayor to the National Council of Provinces
# And cricket: India secures its place in the Super 8 of the T20 World Cup

# The Centre for Development and Enterprise has urged a reduction in cabinet ministers and a restructured Presidency to strengthen South Africa’s government. Executive director Ann Bernstein advocates for a smaller, more efficient cabinet, focusing on key priorities and integrity. Bernstein highlights the need for experienced leaders and suggests consolidating departments to improve coordination and accountability. She also recommends strengthening Operation Vulindlela and reinstating the Policy Coordination and Advisory Services unit for better governance.

# The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has recalled eThekwini mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, and he will redeployed to the National Council of Provinces. He became mayor in 2017 after Zandile Gumede was fired and then charged with fraud and corruption emanating from a 208-million-rand waste tender. The ANC says as it ushers in a new era following the general elections, it has been identifying key areas that require urgent focus. It adds that with his experience, Kaunda has an important role to play in the NCOP.

# Eskom in Gauteng has strongly condemned the continuous vandalism of its infrastructure in Soweto following a fire at the Zola substation. The fire broke out yesterday morning, leaving homes and businesses in the vicinity without power. Eskom’s provincial spokesperson, Amanda Qithi, says based on preliminary findings, the fire was caused by vandalism, and the transformer oil was also stolen:

# US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, says it is evaluating Hamas’ formal response to its three-phase Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal proposal. The militant group says it had submitted a response to Egyptian and Qatari mediators, seeking some amendments to the deal, and that their priority was to bring a complete stop to the war. Blinken has questioned whether Hamas is proceeding in good faith amid ceasefire negotiations:

# Cricket: India secured a place in the Super Eight round of the T20 World Cup after beating tournament co-hosts USA by seven wickets in New York. Arshdeep Singh took four wickets for just nine runs as the USA was restricted to 110 for eight in their 20 overs. In reply, India slipped to 44 for three before Suryakumar Yadav made an unbeaten half-century, and shared a fourth-wicket stand of 67 with Shivam Dube to secure the win with ten balls to spare.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-39-cents and the euro at 19-rand-89-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-53-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-645-dollars-81-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-314-dollars-97-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-24-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….