News 13:00

BULLETIN 30 June 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A mass repatriation of Zimbabweans is announced with funding of 50-million-rand
# Government announces huge fuel price cuts for July
# And rugby: The loose forward Elrigh Louw is called up to the Springboks’ Nations Championship squad

# A close ally of Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa pledged 50-million-rand to support the repatriation of about 20-thousand Zimbabwean nationals from South Africa. The initiative is intended to fund transport and logistical costs for voluntary returns and ease pressure on migrants in South Africa. The announcement comes amid intensified migration debates and increased cross-border movement through Beitbridge in Limpopo. Authorities say the programme aims to ensure an orderly and coordinated return process for affected nationals.

Meanwhile, Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has urged foreign nationals not to leave their homes to report to repatriation centres amid rising anti-immigration tensions. He emphasises no individual or group has the authority to force people from their communities, stressing immigration laws must be enforced through legal processes. Hill-Lewis called for calm and warned against violence, saying South Africa’s challenges should be addressed through the rule of law:

# Union federation Cosatu is concerned over the reported shortage of prosecutors at the National Prosecuting Authority. The NPA has entered into lucrative early retirement agreements with senior prosecutors, resulting in the departure of 47 experienced prosecutors at the end of April. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says more alarming are reports about an estimated vacancy rate of up to 600 prosecutors while society is battling to cope with unacceptable levels of crime and corruption:

# Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, has announced huge fuel price decreases, coming into effect at midnight. The price of 93 unleaded petrol will decrease by two-rand-one-cent per litre and 95 leaded-replacement by one-rand-96-cents per litre. The department’s spokesperson, Lerato Ntsoko, says diesel prices will decrease by between three-rand-14- and three-rand-59-cents per litre. She adds the price of illuminating paraffin will see a reduction of five-rand-23-cents per litre:

# Rugby: Head coach Rassie Erasmus has called up Springbok loose forward Elrigh Louw to the national squad for the Nations Championship as additional forward cover. He joined his team mates in Johannesburg today. Louw played the last of his 13 Tests against Wales in November 2024, and was on the sidelines with a serious knee injury last year. He returned to the field this year and made a strong impact in the Bulls pack. The Boks start their Nations Championship campaign against England at Ellis Park on Saturday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-37-cents and the euro at 18-rand-65-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-67-cents and Bitcoin trades at 59-thousand-209-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-22-dollars-13-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-75-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….