News 15:00

BULLETIN 26 June 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Ntshavheni confirms the removal of the DA’s Andrew Whitfield as deputy minister
# Cold and wet weather persists across the Western Cape
# And motorsport: Team SA is revealed for the Junior Motocross World Championship and Cup

# Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni confirmed president Cyril Ramaphosa has removed the DA’s Andrew Whitfield from his role as deputy minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. This follows growing speculation about a cabinet reshuffle, believed to be linked to the controversy around Higher Education and Training minister Nobuhle Nkabane’s handling of the SETA board appointments. Ntshavheni told the media Ramaphosa acted in line with the Constitution:

Meanwhile, the DA’s federal council chairperson, Helen Zille, has convened an urgent meeting of the federal executive following Ramaphosa’s decision to remove Whitfield. Zille says the party will comment further after the discussions regarding the composition of the government of national unity’s executive.

# Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, says disaster teams remain on high alert as cold and wet weather continues across the province. He says flood-prone areas remain at risk, as Level 4 warnings for damaging waves and Level 2 alerts for rain and wind stay in effect. Director of Disaster Operations, Sonja Chinnian, urges residents to stay indoors and follow safety guidelines:

# The South African Human Rights Commission has released a policy brief asking urgent action against organised syndicates sabotaging water infrastructure. The brief outlines legal and policy tools available to combat the growing threat posed by water mafias. It calls for classifying water-related crimes as national priority offences, stronger police action, prosecutions, and critical infrastructure protection. The commission warns that unchecked sabotage risks national water security and undermines essential service delivery.

# Motorsport: Six young riders will represent South Africa at the Junior Motocross World Championship and Cup in Romagné, France, next weekend. The team consists of Kabelo Ledwaba, Evan Frost, Brody Bircher, Cassie van Zyl, Trey Cox and Tristan Durow. This year’s edition will feature competitors from a record 38 nations. Motorsport South Africa says these young riders, led by team manager Brett Bircher, will test their mettle against a deep international field, all vying for the coveted world title.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-75-cents and the euro at 20-rand-77-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-35-cents and Bitcoin trades at 107-thousand-277-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-340-dollars-14-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-78-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….