News 18:00

BULLETIN 7 May 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa condemns the DA’s flag burning advertisement
#  The Western Cape premier warns against fake news amid the George building collapse 
# And rugby: Dupont is eager to win the Champions Cup with Toulouse

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly condemned a DA election advert depicting the burning of the national flag. He labels the depiction as desperate and inciteful, undermining democracy and unity during the celebration of 30 years of freedom. Ramaphosa emphasises the flag’s significance as a symbol of identity, integrity, and unity, urging all parties to respect national symbols and conduct elections with dignity and unity. He calls on all political parties and South Africans to uphold the dignity of all national symbols.

# Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has cautioned the media and the public against the spread of fake news, including playing politics in the wake of the five-storey George building collapse. He emphasised the need to focus on the rescue efforts, with 47 people still trapped under the rubble and six confirmed dead. Winde condemns the reports of misinformation, including false claims about the number of casualties:

# The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union, Popcru,  warns of a potential national security threat due to the increasing loss of highly skilled and specialised members from key police units. The union reports members from units like the Special Task Force and National Intervention Unit are leaving the South African Police Service rapidly, drawn by higher-paying opportunities in the private sector. Popcru’s Richard Mamabolo calls for immediate government action to retain experienced members:

# The United Nations says Israeli authorities have denied the UN access to the now-closed Rafah crossing which is the key entry point for humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The UN says the inability to get fuel into the besieged Palestinian territory through the crossing risk shutting down aid operations. He says the Rafah border crossing with Egypt is currently under Israel Defence Force control and they have been told there will be no crossings of personnel or goods in or out for the time being.

# Rugby: European club rugby’s two most successful teams will meet in the Champions Cup final in London on 25 May. Irish side Leinster is through to their eighth final and will try to equal the record by winning a fifth European trophy. French giants Toulouse will try to extend their record to six. Their star player, French captain Antoine Dupont, says they are eager to be crowned as Europe’s best:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-45-cents and the euro at 19-rand-88-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-17-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-380-dollars-88-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-320-dollars-26-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-70-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news…………