News 11:00

BULLETIN 9 May 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# SAFTU says the Constitutional Court judgement on Phala-Phala vindicates its 2022 call for president Ramaphosa to resign
# NSFAS says Professor Mathebula’s appointment signals a new chapter
# And: Minister Enoch Godongwana says the City of Johannesburg is facing a financial crisis

# The South African Federation of Trade Unions has welcomed the judgment of the Constitutional Court on the Phala-Phala scandal. However, the federation’s Asive Dyani says they are concerned by the unlawful manner in which Parliament shielded president Cyril Ramaphosa from constitutional accountability. She says this judgment vindicates SAFTU’s position in December 2022, when they called on Ramaphosa to resign following the explosive revelations about the concealed foreign-currency theft at his Phala-Phala farm:

# The National Student Financial Aid Scheme says the appointment of Hlengani Mathebula as its new administrator signals new chapter. Spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi says Mathebula is assuming this role at such a pivotal moment for the scheme and the broader higher education and training sector. He says NSFAS is a cornerstone of South Africa’s commitment to social justice, as it provides access to higher education and training for young people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds:

#  Finance MInister, Enoch Godongwana is calling on the City of Johannesburg to consider serious remedial actions to address concern about financial sustainability and compliance with financial management laws. This follows a meeting with Mayor Dada Morero, driven by a widening liquidity crisis where the metro owes creditors 25.2-billion-rand while holding only 3.9-billion-rand in cash. The creditor debt increased from 17-billion-rand in the 2022/2023 financial year to 25.2-billion-rand in the 2024/2025 financial year. Godongwana ordered the city to stop implementing a 10.3-billion-rand salary increase agreement with the South African Municipal Workers’ Union.

# The National Consumer Commission has announced a safety recall of Bridgestone Duravis R660 Eco tyres. The tyres fitted to some Ford and Volkswagen light commercial vehicles are said to be more prone to cuts and damage that could lead to tread separation and affect vehicle control, increasing accident risk. They were sold in South Africa between October 2023 and November 2025. The commission’s Phetho Ntaba urged consumers to have the affected tyres replaced immediately:

# Cricket: The Kiwi Finn Allen struck a magnificent unbeaten century to lead the Kolkata Knight Riders to a smashing eight-wicket win over the Delhi Capitals in Delphi on Friday night. It was KKR’s fourth consecutive win after picking up just one point in their first six games. Delhi, by contrast, are sinking ever lower in the table with just eight points. They have won just two games at home out of 10 since last year and have never won after batting first.  Allen’s 100, which came off the last ball of the match, came in 47 balls and included five fours and a whopping 10 sixes.

# And, athletics: Seven-time Olympic gold medallist Allyson Felix is aiming for a spot in the US’ mixed four-by-400-metres relay team in the 2028 Los Angeles Games. It will be her sixth Olympics, taking place in her hometown. The 40-year-old native last month announced plans to come out of retirement. Felix is the most decorated female track and field athlete of all time. She retired in 2022 with 11 Olympic medals and won gold in the women’s four-by-400-metres at the Tokyo Games at the age of 35.

Stay tuned for more news………….