News 17:00

BULLETIN 17 June 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Mbongeleni Mpangase testifies on SAPS tensions in the Port Shepstone cocaine drug bust
# Solidarity wins a legal victory in an artisan certificate dispute
# And, Namibia calls for service to others on Mandela Day

# SAPS Warrant Officer Mbongeleni Mpangase has told the Madlanga Commission that Lieutenant Colonel Gavin Jacob had strained relationships with some officials including Warrant Officer Karl Sander. Mpangase responded to the Commission’s chair Mbuyiseli Madlanga about the 2021 Port Shepstone operation involving the seizure of 541-kilograms of cocaine. He said through his interpreter, Vusimuzi Nkabinde, that he was chosen for the operation because of the tension in Jacob’s division:

# Trade union Solidarity has welcomed a Labour Court order aimed at resolving long-standing delays in issuing Red Seal certificates to qualified artisans. The court has ordered government departments and skills development bodies to meet before the end of September to address problems in the certification process. Solidarity’s Stef Pretorius says the delays have prevented many artisans from securing jobs and advancing their careers:

# Deputy minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, doctor Nomalungelo Gina, says South Africa is committed to using science, technology and innovation to drive inclusive growth, support development priorities and improve quality of life. She is representing the country at UNESCO’s 2026 Global Conference of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development in Paris. Gina says evidence-informed policymaking, international cooperation and capacity development in advancing practical, people-centred solutions to global challenges such as climate change, food and water security, and public health are imperative.

# Namibian president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged people to dedicate 67 minutes to serving others as the world marks Nelson Mandela International Day tomorrow. Speaking in Pretoria, she said the gesture honours Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of service and commitment to justice, equality and human dignity. She encouraged people to honour Mandela’s legacy through compassion, meaningful action and a shared commitment to building more just, peaceful and inclusive societies:

# Rugby: All Blacks coach Dave Rennie says every player in the touring squad will get the opportunity to push for Test selection during the matches against South African domestic teams. The tour will kick off against the Stormers in Cape Town on 7 August, followed by matches against the Sharks in Durban and the Bulls in Pretoria before the first Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park. The All Blacks then face the Lions in Johannesburg and the Boks in Cape Town and at the FNB Stadium.  

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-57-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-93-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-25-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-800-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-972-dollars-38-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-62-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….