News 09:00

BULLETIN 28 May 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The MK Party claims there is an ongoing and systematic persecution of Zuma
# AfriForum prepares observers for election monitoring
# And Pope Francis is accused of using a homophobic slur in a closed meeting

# The MK Party says the series of targeted actions against leader Jacob Zuma demonstrate a pattern of political bias and manipulation by both state and private institutions, including the media. This comes as the SABC and eNCA dropped an interview with Zuma. The public broadcaster said the interview was a repeat of what Zuma said at a rally, while eNCA said an editorial decision was taken that it was too close to the elections to air the interview. MK says there is an ongoing and systematic persecution of Zuma.

# AfriForum has confirmed its 134 observers and 170 neighborhood watches are ready for the election period. Community Safety spokesperson Jacques Broodryk says they will closely monitor polling stations and remain on high alert for potential violence. In addition Broodryk says the AfriForum’s air wing, with over 40 drones, is also on standby to gather live information and track suspects:

# Metalworkers union Numsa will be picketing outside the offices of SA Steel Mills, trading as Alfeco Holdings, in Meyerton, Gauteng today. This comes after the steel producer fired 165 workers for participating in what the Labour Court ruled was a lawful strike. Numsa’s spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, says the company has been attacking workers’ constitutional right to strike:

# Pope Francis has been accused of using a highly derogatory term during a private meeting with bishops in Rome last week. According to Italian newspapers, the 87-year-old pontiff allegedly told the bishops to not permit gay men to train for the priesthood and used a highly homophobic slur. His remarks took place in the context of proposals from bishops to amend guidelines on candidates to seminaries. The newspapers state that the Pope, who speaks Italian as a second language, may not have been aware of how offensive his language was.

# Soccer: Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo has broken the Saudi League record for the most goals in a single season. The 39-year-old Portuguese striker scored a brace in his side’s four-two win over Al Ittihad, to bring his league tally this season to 35 goals. The previous record was held by Abderrazak Hamdallah, who netted 34 goals in 2018-2019. Ronaldo has scored 64 goals in 69 games for Al-Nassr in all competitions since joining on a free transfer in January last year after leaving Manchester United.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-34-cents and the euro at 19-rand-95-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-44-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-774-dollars-82-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-351-dollars-5-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 83-dollars-7-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….