News 09:00

BULLETIN 19 June 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Over one-thousand-500 Malawian and Zimbabwean nationals were processed at Beit Bridge
# Minister Tau says the future of the sugar industry is secured
# And soccer: Mexico is through to the World Cup last 32

# The Border Management Authority says one-thousand-596 undocumented Malawian and Zimbabwean nationals were successfully processed during a 13-hour operation at the Beitbridge Port of Entry. The operation was carried out by BMA personnel, officials from Home Affairs and SAPS Public Order Police. BMA spokesperson, Mmemme Mogotsi, says the operation also included the repatriation of one-thousand-129 Malawian nationals, the largest number processed in a single day:

# Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, says the withdrawal of the liquidation proceedings against Tongaat Hulett represents a significant milestone in securing the future of the sugar value chain. This follows an agreement between the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa and Vision Consortium, safeguarding 250-thousand jobs. Tau says the prospect of liquidation posed serious risks not only to workers and growers, but also to suppliers, transport operators, small businesses, and the broader economy. The company was placed under business rescue following a collapse caused by financial mismanagement.

# ActionSA Ekurhuleni says the ANC-led coalition in the metro has failed to present a budget that prioritises the interests of residents. Council rejected the proposed 2026/2027 budget for the fourth time yesterday. ActionSA’s Tumelo Tshabalala says two fundamental conditions must be met for the party to support the budget. He says the conditions are a budget that gives effect to the Council’s resolution to insource workers and reduce reliance on contracted services, and no increases to tariff categories, except for regulated adjustments:

# Soccer: Co-hosts Mexico are the first nation to qualify for the World Cup knockout stage with a game to spare, following their 1-0 victory against South Korea at the Guadalajara Stadium. Luis Romo’s second-half goal proved to be the difference as Javier Aguirre’s side topped Group A with six points. Co-hosts Canada thrashed Qatar 6-0 in Vancouver, and now require a point in their final game to top Group B. In Los Angeles, Switzerland defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 to edge towards a place in the last 32.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-49-cents and the euro at 18-rand-86-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-75-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-817-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-145-dollars-28-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-99-cents a barrel.

# And finally, former US presidents, retired politicians, and celebrities attended the grand opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Centre in Chicago. The Centre is designed to be a vibrant, living celebration of community and a stark reminder of the importance of democracy. Former president George W Bush, Bill Clinton, and Joe Biden were in attendance, as well as Oprah Winfrey, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Bruce Springsteen. Obama used the occasion to urge Americans to reject division and invest in the next generation:

Stay tuned for more news………….