News 08:00

BULLETIN 13 May 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Afrikaner refugees have arrived in the US
# Minister Kubayi calls for stronger security at courts
# And soccer: South Africa’s U20 men’s team have qualified for the World Cup in Chile

# The first group of white Afrikaners, whom president Donald Trump’s administration has granted refugee status, have arrived in the US. They were met by deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Troy Edgar at the Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. Landau says president Trump has made it clear that the refugee applications for South Africa’s Afrikaner minority had been expedited as they were victims of racial discrimination:

# Justice and Constitutional Development minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has emphasised the need for an immediate strengthening of security protocols in all court precincts. This comes after a KwaZulu-Natal court official shot and killed an accused person, who had grabbed his colleague’s firearm at the Melmoth Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning. The ministry’s spokesperson, Terrence Manase, says the department has initiated its own internal review of court security measures:

# The Home Affairs Department has successfully launched the rollout of Smart IDs for naturalised citizens and permanent residents from visa-exempt countries. The system is stable, with high uptake nationwide. Currently, only applicants with green barcoded IDs from visa-exempt countries are being assisted due to high volumes. The Department will notify when applications open for non-exempt countries. The Department says the move aims to enhance ID security and accessibility.

# The Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court has ruled that the confession made by Lawrance Sithebiso Mdlalose, accused of starting the Usindiso building fire in Johannesburg, is admissible as evidence. The 30-year-old confessed in January last year to being responsible for the blaze that tore through the Usindiso building in 2023, resulting in the deaths of 76 people. National Prosecuting Authority’s spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane says Mdlalose is facing 76 counts of murder, one count of arson, and 12 counts of attempted murder:

# Soccer: South Africa’s U20 men’s national team defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 to book their spot in the Africa Cup of Nations semifinals. Thabang Mahlangu netted the only goal of the match in the 105th minute to secure the win. The Amajitas’ victory also sees them qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup that will be held in Chile from the 27th of September to the 19th of October. They join Nigeria, Morocco, and Egypt, who have also qualified.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-27-cents and the euro at 20-rand-29-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-9-cents and Bitcoin trades at 101-thousand-811-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-234-dollars-55-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-49-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….