News 16:00

BULLETIN 12 June 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Madlanga Commission questions Mashaba over his knowledge of the arrival of the drugs in Aeroton
# The Nkabinde Inquiry panel rejects Shamila Batohi’s submission request
# And: A new poll finds evangelicals are divided on Trump’s war in Iran and his immigration crackdown

# The Madlanga Commission’s chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga has questioned Gauteng Traffic Police Chief Samuel Mashaba over his interaction with alleged informant Tumelo Nku ahead of the 2021 seizure of 700-kilograms of cocaine worth 300-million-rand. The commission is investigating circumstances surrounding the Aeroton drug bust and the intelligence behind it. Madlanga challenged Mashaba’s testimony about the arrival of the truck, arguing that Nku would have informed him before he could act:

# The Nkabinde Inquiry investigating the suspended South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions, Andrew Chauke’s fitness to hold office, has rejected an application by former National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi to submit written representations for inclusion in the enquiry record. Batohi sought to provide additional context following her incomplete cross-examination and decision to end oral testimony. The inquiry spokesperson Tiyisela Max Mpuzana says, after considering the application and legal framework, it declined the request as the enquiry finalises its report to president Cyril Ramaphosa.

# The GOOD Party says the Auditor-General’s findings regarding procurement processes within the City of Cape Town have vindicated concerns that residents, community activists, and opposition parties have been raising for years. The party’s Suzette Little says the metro’s regression from a clean audit outcome to an unqualified audit with findings is not a minor administrative matter. She says the AG’s findings that weaknesses existed in the evaluation of bids and compliance with procurement requirements are deeply concerning:

# About half of evangelical Christians believe American president Donald Trump’s approach to key issues is not in line with their Christian views. According to the Ipsos poll 54-percent of this vital Trump’s support base don’t agree with his use of the military in Iran, while 51-percent said the approach to immigration was not in line with their values. Evangelicals were instrumental in the 2024 victory, and Trump regularly use religious language in describing their goals and policies. His approval rating has fallen recently as the Iran war pushed gasoline prices higher.

# Soccer: South Korean saw its probability of advancing to the Round of 32 surge to 93-percent, after their 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in the World Cup earlier today. Mexico’s probability is 98-percent. According to the media outlet, The Athletic, South Korea’s qualification would be almost guaranteed if they defeat Mexico, and even if they lose the match, it remains high at 86-percent. The Czech Republic has a 56-percent chance of advancing, while South Africa has the lowest probability at 27-percent. South Africa and South Korea will meet on 25 June.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-30-cents and the euro at 18-rand-85-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-84-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-408-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-200-dollars-66-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 87-dollars-61-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….