News 09:00

BULLETIN 25 May 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says the ANC has run a very good campaign
# Over 14-thousand inmates are set to vote next week
# And, soccer: Guardiola says he has huge respect for Ten Hag as the FA Cup final beckons

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the ANC has run a very good campaign, with a clear election message which won the hearts and minds of people around the country. Ramaphosa took a walk with young people around Vilakazi Street in Orlando West in Soweto yesterday. He says the precinct of the historic place that produced two Nobel Peace Prize laureates, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, boosted his own sense of victory:

Meanwhile, the Department of Correctional Services has announced that 14-thousand-753 inmates will vote next week, overseen by the Electoral Commission. The department’s minister Ronald Lamola says logistical preparations, including ballot papers and secure voting booths, ensure compliance with the Electoral Act. He confirmed that detailed voter education was implemented and also assured the presence of independent observers to ensure a fair process.

# RISE Mzansi welcomes the ruling by the International Court of Justice which calls for the government of Israel to immediately end its military assault on Rafah in the south of Gaza. RISE Mzansi’s spokesperson, Gugu Ndima, says this is important because when the military assault continued after 7 October, millions of Palestinians were forced to flee northern Gaza. Ndima says the humanitarian situation has deteriorated further since the first ICJ order in January:

# Doctors without Borders has called for the protection of hundreds of thousands of civilians caught in the crossfire between the M23 rebel group and government forces in east DRC. The mainly Tutsi-led M23 resumed its armed campaign at the end of 2021 and has seized swathes of territory in the North Kivu province. Violence in the area has raged as the Congolese army, backed by a handful of armed militia known as the Wazalendo, or patriots in Swahili, tries to push back the Rwanda-backed rebels.

# And, soccer: Pep Guardiola says he has huge respect for Erik ten Hag after a terrible season for Manchester United, as the Manchester City boss eyes more history in today’s FA Cup final. City is celebrating an unprecedented fourth straight Premier League crown and will become the first team to win the league and FA Cup in successive seasons if they beat United at Wembley. United lost six out of their past seven meetings in all competitions against City. They finished a lowly eighth in the Premier League.

Stay tuned for more news………….