News 14:00

BULLETIN 27 May 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The EFF condemns president Cyril Ramaphosa’s use of the public broadcaster for ANC campaigning 
# South Africa records the second laboratory-confirmed case of the M-pox disease 
# And rugby: Seven uncapped players are included in England’s training squad

# The EFF has called for an investigation into president Cyril Ramaphosa’s use of the public broadcaster to promote the ANC’s achievements in an unscheduled address last night. The party condemns this as a misuse of presidential powers and state resources for partisan purposes, calling it a sign of desperation from the ANC. They accuse Ramaphosa of undermining fair competition and democratic principles. The EFF urges voters to recognise this abuse of power and vote for a party committed to governing for the benefit of all citizens.

Meanwhile, the United Democratic Movement has condemned allegations of vote rigging amid special votes in KwaZulu-Natal. Videos showed voting materials allegedly being poorly handled. UDM leader Bantu Holomisa calls for transparency on special votes and ballot papers issued. He demands separate counting of special votes to prevent rigging and ensure election fairness. Holomisa emphasises safeguarding democracy and maintaining electoral trust.

# South Africa has recorded the second laboratory-confirmed case of M-pox, an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus with the potential to cause a painful or itchy rash like pimples or blisters. Health spokesperson Foster Mohale says the new patient is a 39-year-old man who was admitted at Addington Hospital in Durban. He says he didn’t have a travel history to countries and regions currently experiencing an outbreak of the disease:

# Education activist Hendrick Makaneta says the growing number of learners found with weapons on school premises is evidence that society is sitting on a ticking time bomb. This follows after three learners were arrested at a school in Petit, Ekurhuleni, on the Gauteng East Rand for the alleged possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Makaneta says not long ago, a principal and a deputy principal were shot at schools in the metro:

# Rugby: England coach Steve Borthwick has named an initial 19-player training squad, including seven uncapped, ahead of the three-Test tour to Japan and New Zealand. The uncapped players include Harlequins’ Fin Baxter, and Exeter duo Greg Fisilau and Rusi Tuima. Borthwick’s squad is missing players from Premiership semi-finalists Northampton, Bath, Sale and Saracens, who will be added when their clubs are knocked out of the competition. England will face Japan on the 22nd of next month, and New Zealand on the sixth and 13th of July.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-37-cents and the euro at 19-rand-94-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-42-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-529-dollars-36-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-344-dollars-61-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-52-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….