News 08:00

BULLETIN 13 June 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The EFF says a commission should probe the National Prosecuting Authority
# The DA says the returning soldiers deserve answers and not a media circus
# And the US Federal Aviation Authority is assisting in the investigation into the Indian air disaster

# EFF leader Julius Malema has formally written to president Cyril Ramaphosa requesting the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into the National Prosecuting Authority. This follows remarks by National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi, who alleged the NPA has been infiltrated by corrupt prosecutors. Malema says the mandate of the proposed commission should not be limited to procedural irregularities or administrative weaknesses, but also include a thorough institutional audit of the NPA. He adds that the commission must be chaired by retired Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng.

# The DA has welcomed the long-overdue return today of the first group of South African National Defence Force soldiers deployed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The troops have been stationed in Goma since December 2023 in peacekeeping efforts amid tensions between DRC forces and M23 rebels. The DA’s Chris Hattingh says the Department of Defence’s planned red carpet homecoming parade has been far better coordinated than the mission itself, including the chaotic withdrawal operation:

# The Public Servants Association says it is extremely concerned about the impact of severe flooding in the Eastern Cape. The death toll from the floods has risen to over 70, with more than ten-thousand people displaced. Of that number, 61 died in Mthatha and surrounding areas. PSA’s spokesperson, Claude Naiker, says this disaster underscores the urgent need for strengthened disaster response capabilities and long-term investment in resilient infrastructure:

# The US Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, says the Federal Aviation Administration is working closely with the National Transportation Safety Board to assist Indian authorities with the investigation into the Air India flight crash. A total of 241 of the 242 people aboard the flight were killed when it crashed on departure at an airport in Ahmedabad, India. Duffy says the FAA has already engaged Boeing and General Electric, the manufacturers of the aircraft, to support the investigation:

# Golf: American JJ Spaun carded four birdies in a four-under par 66 to lead the US Open by one shot after the opening day at the Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania. The 34-year-old’s closest challenge is South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence, who finished one shot behind, after making six birdies in a round of 67. World number one Scottie Scheffler, Masters champion Rory McIlroy and defending champion Bryson DeChambeau were among those who struggled on the opening day.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-92-cents and the euro at 20-rand-67-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-29-cents and Bitcoin trades at 103-thousand-954-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-437-dollars-15-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-25-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….