News 08:00

BULLETIN 31 May 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Deputy president Mashatile calls for urgent reform to build a capable State
# The DA demands urgent action on cross-border crime at the Lesotho border
# And rugby: Glasgow Warriors dash Stormers’ hopes to reach URC-semi-finals

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says urgent reform is needed to build a capable, ethical, and professional state. Speaking on strengthening the political-administrative interface in Pretoria, he stressed that instability between political and administrative leaders hinders progress. Mashatile called for depoliticisation of public service, consistent leadership, and support for businesses. He announced the formation of war rooms targeting clean governance, economic growth, and hunger eradication to drive people-first transformation:

# Transport Minister Barbara Creecy says commuter numbers in Cape Town reached 53-thousand people a day in April last year. She says with the reopening of Philippi and Nolungile stations, this number has now almost doubled to 104-thousand commuter trips a day. With the targeted completion of the Kapteinsklip’s second line towards the end of the year, the number of daily trips is expected to reach more than 162-thousand. The numbers are set to rise to 343-thousand a day by April next year, once the Central Line comes back in operation.

# The DA is calling for urgent measures to tackle rising cross-border crime along the Lesotho-Free State border. DA’s Roy Jankielsohn says attacks, including a brutal slaughter of 18 cattle near Wepener, amount to a low-intensity war. Roy urges improved policing, technology use, and cross-border hot pursuit agreements. He warns that rural crime threatens food security and farmer livelihoods:

# The Glasgow Warriors outplayed the Stormers by 36-18 at the Scotstoun stadium last night to book a place in the United Rugby Championships semi-finals. Glasgow led 19-14 at halftime. The Scots scored five tries, while the rest of their points came from George Horn’s boot. Seabelo Senatla crossed Glasgow’s line twice, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu converting only one and scoring two penalties. This afternoon at 13.30 pm the Bulls take on Edinburgh in their quarter-final clash at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria and the Sharks meet Munster in Durban at 19.30.

# Motorsport: Lando Norris confirmed his return to form when he topped the times for McLaren ahead of Red Bull’s four-time world champion Max Verstappen in opening free practice at the Spanish Grand Prix. Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton and his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc were third and fourth ahead of championship leader Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren and impressive rookie Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls. Piastri leads Norris by three points in the drivers’ title race ahead of the ninth round of the 24-race season.

# And finally, two stray lions have been seen in the veld near Plange-Mtititi village, bordering Kruger National Park’s northern side in Limpopo. Community spokesperson Isaac Khosa says rangers were called but have not located the animals. Khosa urges local residents and livestock farmers to stay vigilant. The lions were last seen near bushes close to the Shangoni gate. Environmental authorities have yet to comment on the situation as the community remains on high alert for potential risks.

Stay tuned for more news………….