News 08:00

BULLETIN 13 June 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Fitch upgrades Eskom’s credit rating
# The deputy president urges vigilance against illegal initiation schools
# And soccer:  The Canadians earn their first World Cup point

# Eskom has welcomed a credit rating upgrade by Fitch Ratings, following the recent improvement in South Africa’s sovereign credit rating. Fitch upgraded Eskom’s long-term issuer default rating to B+ from B, with a stable outlook. Eskom says the upgrade reflects its strong link to government support and ongoing operational improvements. The utility spokesperson Daphne Mokwena says they remains focused on strengthening financial stability, and supporting energy security and economic growth:

Eskom meanwhile says more than 726-thousand customers are no longer affected by load reduction, representing 43-percent of households targeted under its elimination programme. The utility says load reduction has been fully eliminated in the Northern and Western Cape, with nationwide efforts continuing through smart meter installations and infrastructure upgrades. The utility spokesperson Daphne Mokwena says Eskom has removed 447 feeders from load-reduction. However, illegal connections and meter tampering remain significant challenges:

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile has urged traditional leaders and communities to remain vigilant against illegal initiation schools ahead of the winter initiation season. Speaking in Limpopo at the traditional and Khoi-San leaders’ engagement, Mashatile warned that unregistered schools and unqualified practitioners pose serious risks to the health and safety of initiates. He also welcomed efforts to strengthen oversight and promote safe initiation practices across the province: 

# The Bureau for Economic Research says South Africa’s economic recovery has lost momentum as business confidence falls sharply between April and June. Its latest business confidence index shows firms are becoming more cautious, with many delaying investment and expansion plans due to rising fuel prices, global uncertainty, and weaker demand. The slowdown reflects hesitation rather than a collapse. According to the bureau, local problems like poor service delivery and weak infrastructure are also affecting confidence.

# President Donald Trump has said a swift US military strike has killed the leader of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang. The gang’s leader, Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, was charged in a New York federal court in December with racketeering conspiracy and other crimes, including lending support to terrorists in crimes that stretched more than a decade. US attorney Jay Clayton said at the time that the gang is responsible for countless acts of violence, extortion and drug trafficking in North America, South America and Europe. Venezuelan authorities have not yet commented on the operation.

# And finally news from the Word Cup: The Canada team was unable to emulate Mexico’s fast start as co-hosts of the 2026 Fifa World Cup, but made history by registering their first-ever point with a 1-1 draw against group B rivals Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto on Friday evening. Bosnia and Herzegovina looked on course to claim a victory thanks to Jovo Lukic’s goal in the first half but the Canadians struck back late on via substitute Cyle Larin to force a draw. The teams will resume their Group B campaigns next week, with Bosnia and Herzegovina facing Switzerland and Canada tackling Qatar.

Stay tuned for more news………….