News 11:00

BULLETIN 4 July 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Mmusi Maimane says David Mabuza was a central figure in South Africa’s political journey
# The police are searching for the murderers of five people in Mitchells Plain
# And motorsport: George Russell expects to remain part of the Mercedes team

# BOSA Leader Mmusi Maimane says former deputy president David Mabuza was a central figure in South Africa’s political journey. Mabuza served as deputy president of South Africa from 2018 to 2023, and prior to that as premier of Mpumalanga for nearly a decade. BOSA’s spokesperson, Roger Solomons says the party extend its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and comrades in the ANC during this time of mourning:

# Western Cape police have launched a manhunt for suspects after five persons were gunned down and seven injured in several shooting incidents that occurred at different locations in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town on Thursday afternoon. Police spokesperson, Novela Potelwa says they were shot at two tuck-shops in Beacon Valley. She says more fatalities were recorded in two other shooting incidents:

Meanwhile the GOOD Party says the City of Cape Town needs a real plan to dismantle the root causes of gang violence, poor schooling, high unemployment, lack of affordable housing near jobs, and the deliberate abandonment of the Cape Flats. GOOD secretary-general, Brett Herron referred to the recent killing of five people across multiple locations in Mitchells Plain, with the attacks carried out in broad daylight:

# US immigration agents have arrested the famed Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Junior and plan to deport him to Mexico.  US officials say the 39-year-old has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for his involvement with the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel. The former middleweight world champion was defeated by influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul at a match in California a week before his arrest. In a statement following his arrest, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said under president Trump, no one is above the law, including world-famous athletes.

# Motorsport: George Russell believes he will remain with Mercedes in 2026, despite Mercedes possibly pursuing Max Verstappen. Russell earlier claimed his own contract negotiations are being held up by Mercedes’ interest in Verstappen, the four-time defending Formula 1 champion for Red Bull. Russell told the English media ahead of the British Grand Prix, the chances are “exceptionally low” that he isn’t driving for Mercedes next year. Russell is currently fourth in the driver championship race. The 27-year-old came up through Mercedes’ junior program in 2017 and has driven for their F1 team full-time since 2022.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-52-cents and the euro at 20-rand-64-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-95-cents and Bitcoin trades at 109-thousand-173-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-342-dollars-55-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-1-cent a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….