News 17:00

BULLETIN 4 June 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The minister of Labour steps in to avert Pick n Pay’s retrenchment of 22-thousand workers
# The Western Cape remains vigilant as severe weather conditions continue
# And soccer: Desiree Ellis sees the Japan friendlies as a key WAFCON test

# Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has stepped in to help avert the retrenchment of more than 22-thousand Pick n Pay workers. This follows a meeting between the company, trade unions and the government. The retail giant had issued a Section 189 notice last month, triggering consultations over possible job cuts. Ministry spokesperson Thobeka Magcai says all parties agreed to return to negotiations to look for alternatives to retrenchments:

# Business leaders state Johannesburg’s governance and financial crisis have become national economic concerns that require urgent action. Business Leadership South Africa, Business for South Africa and Business Unity South Africa warn that the city, which contributes around 16-percent of South Africa’s gross domestic product, is in severe distress, with declining infrastructure, rising debt, and worsening service delivery. They call on all political parties and the government to present clear, costed plans to stabilise the city ahead of the local elections.

# The Western Cape Government says disaster management teams remain on high alert as heavy rain continues to affect the Central Karoo and Garden Route. Flooding has forced the closure of the N1 at Leeu Gamka, while several other roads, including Molteno Pass and parts of the R328, have also been shut due to weather-related damage. Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell says dams are overflowing, rivers are flooding, and power outages have been reported in parts of the Garden Route.

# Hungarian authorities ordered the culling of three-thousand pigs after African swine fever was reported in domestic pigs in country for the first time. The National Food Chain Safety Office says the virus, which is harmless to humans but ⁠highly contagious and deadly in pigs, was reported on a farm in the east of the country. African swine fever has spread from Africa to Europe and Asia, and has killed hundreds of millions of ⁠pigs, leading to trade restrictions and affecting global meat markets.

# Soccer: Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis says the team’s back-to-back international friendlies against Japan in Osaka on Saturday and Tuesday will be a vital test ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Ellis believes facing the fifth-ranked Asian champions will help assess her squad’s tactical discipline, defensive organisation and match fitness. She says Japan’s possession-based style offers a different challenge testing the players’ adaptability and mental strength:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-25-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-91-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-87-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-626-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-503-dollars-10-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 93-dollars-96-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….