News 14:00

BULLETIN 5 June 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The state is not opposing bail for Zizi Kodwa and her co-accused 
# EFF leaders challenge a suspension in the Western Cape High Court
# And Cricket: Jos Buttler is frustrated at England’s World Cup opener being abandoned

# Sports, Arts and Culture minister Zizi Kodwa and former EOH executive Jehan Mackay intend to plead not guilty over alleged corruption linked to EOH Holdings. Kodwa is accused of receiving 1.6-million-rand in bribes from Mackay. Their arrest follows the Zondo commission’s recommendations on state capture. The state has informed the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in Gauteng it will not oppose bail. Kodwa’s lawyer, Zola Majavu, says his client is aware of the nature and gravity of the charges:

Both men were granted 30-thousand-rand bail, and the case was postponed to the 23rd of next month.

# The High Court in the Western Cape will hear a bid by EFF leader Julius Malema and six other party MPs to challenge their 30-day suspensions without pay. Malema, Floyd Shivambu, Marshall Dlamini, Sinao Tambo, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, and Vuyani Pambo were found guilty of contempt by the Powers and Privileges Committee. This followed the EFF senior leaders storming the stage during president Cyril Ramaphosa’s state of the nation address last year. The EFF is also seeking to challenge the validity of certain National Assembly rules.

# The Limpopo Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs has approved 631 applications for initiation schools ahead of the season. MEC Basikopo Makamu says 72 applications were rejected due to jurisdiction challenges. Makamu emphasises his department has zero tolerance for illegal initiation schools. Last year, three initiates died after enrolling at unlawful schools. Authorities are clamping down to ensure adherence to regulations and safeguard the cultural practice. The season runs from Friday next week to 31 July.

# Cricket: England captain Jos Buttler has expressed frustration at their opening T20 World Cup game against Scotland in Barbados being abandoned due to rain. Scotland posted 90 for no loss when the game was reduced to ten overs per team, and the defending champions were set a revised target of 109. However, rain denied England the chance to begin its run chase and the match was abandoned. Both sides take a point apiece. Buttler says the revised score was achievable:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-86-cents and the euro at 20-rand-51-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-9-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-827-dollars-21-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-331-dollars-23-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-61-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A climatologist at the University of the Witwatersrand, professor Francois Engelbrecht, says the biggest threat to Gauteng’s economy is a Day Zero drought. Climate models predict dire conditions that mostly include drier and warmer conditions threatening biodiversity, agriculture, water security and livelihoods. Although dams in the province remain full, the City of Johannesburg has struggled with infrastructure and supply challenges caused by mismanagement. Engelbrecht emphasises the urgency of preparing for unprecedented risks as global temperatures continue to rise.

Stay tuned for more news………….