News 08:00

BULLETIN 8 June 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The FF Plus says every farm murder is a loss for the South African economy
# Tesla protests continue despite Elon Musk leaving the Department of Government Efficiency
# And rugby:  The Bulls are through to the United Rugby Championship final after downing the Sharks

# The Freedom Front Plus says farm murders are a serious problem in South Africa and cannot be ignored. FF Plus leader, Pieter Groenewald says as early as the 1990s, the then president Nelson Mandela asked former party leader, Constand Viljoen, to develop a strategic plan for combating farm murders.  He says the plan was drafted, but after a new president assumed office, the government was unwilling to implement its recommendations:

# The GOOD Party is calling on SANTACO in the Western Cape, the City of Cape Town, and the provincial government to urgently convene and develop a comprehensive safety strategy for commuters, both at interchanges and along transport routes. GOOD’s Jonathan Cupido says four people were shot and killed and three injured when unknown gunmen entered a small office at the Mfuleni taxi rank and opened fire on Friday:

# Solidarity’s Social Workers’ Network says the Gauteng Department of Social Development is failing vulnerable communities by not paying social funds on time. The department returned 102-million-rand to the National Treasury instead of using it for essential services. Solidarity’s Bianca Smit says many non-profit organisations are struggling to survive, as delayed or unpaid subsidies put children, the elderly, and people with disabilities at risk:

# Demonstrations against tech billionaire Elon Musk are continuing, amidst a feud this week with Donald Trump over the president’s massive tax and domestic policy bill. Trump threatened to cut government contracts for Musk’s companies and Musk claimed that Trump would have lost the election without him. At least 60 demonstrations took place across America on Saturday as part of the Tesla Takedown movement, which began in mid-February amid Musk’s role with the Department of Government Efficiency. Tesla sales plunged 13-percent in the first three months of this year and are down nearly 47-percent since December.

# And finally sports news:

# Tennis: Coco Gauff battled back from a set down to beat world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a Grand Slam final for the second time with a dramatic victory in the French Open on Saturday. The second-ranked American claimed a 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 victory and her second major title after also defeating Sabalenka at the 2023 US Open. The 21-year-old Gauff, who benefited from her opponent’s 70 unforced errors, paid tribute to Sabalenka and admitted she did not think she had what it takes to stop the Belarusian. She is now 6-5 ahead in their head-to-head record.

# And rugby: The Bulls booked their place in the United Rugby Championship Final after beating the Sharks 25-13 in front of 47-thousand fans at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. Despite three yellow cards in the first half, the Bulls were leading 15-3 at the break, with both teams adding 10 points to their halftime score in the second half. The Bulls will now fly to Ireland where they will meet Leinster in the final on Saturday. The Irish side eased into the final with a 37-19 victory over defending champions Glasgow Warriors.

Stay tuned for more news………….