News 18:00

BULLETIN 27 May 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa confirms South Africa and the US reopen government-level dialogue after a disengagement
# A former Matie is acquitted after the urination saga
# And cricket: South Africa and Namibia will play their very first T20 against each other in October

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa has successfully reset its trade relationship with the US following a high-level visit to Washington last week. In response to a parliamentary question, he confirmed that discussions on tariffs and investments have resumed and that US participation in the upcoming G20 summit in November is crucial. Ramaphosa described a private meeting with president Donald Trump as meaningful, saying the engagement helped revive dialogue on critical issues:

# The MK Party has replaced Mzwanele Manyi as its chief whip in Parliament with former Johannesburg council speaker, Colleen Makhubele. The party’s deputy leader, John Hlophe, made the announcement, thanking Manyi for his service and saying the change takes effect immediately. Hlophe urged members of Parliament to support Makhubele in her new role, expressing confidence in her ability to lead with strength and vision as the party continues to pursue its goals.

# Former Stellenbosch University student Theuns du Toit has been acquitted of crimen injuria and malicious damage to property in the urination saga. The 2022 incident saw him filmed urinating on Babalo Ndwayana’s belongings at Huis Marais residence. The magistrate cited inconsistencies in the complainant’s testimony and ruled the state failed to prove intent, noting Du Toit was intoxicated. Du Toit, who was expelled by the university, expressed relief and says he is now continuing his studies elsewhere.

# Cricket: The Proteas men and Namibia will face each other in Windhoek on 11 October in the very first T20 match between the neighbouring countries. This will take place at the opening of Namibia’s new cricket stadium which will host games during next year’s Under 19 World  Cup, and the one-day World Cup a year later. Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe will co-host the global showpiece in 2027. Cricket South Africa’s CEO, Pholetsi Moseki, says they are proud to be a part of the historic occasion.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-86-cents and the euro at 20-rand-28-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-20-cents and Bitcoin trades at 110-thousand-109-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-298-dollars-32-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-67-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A six-year-old male elephant seal spotted wandering the streets of Gordon’s Bay in Cape Town early this morning has been sedated and is expected to be moved to an undisclosed location. The visibly fatigued seal was seen nearly a kilometre from the shore, even resting on a parked car. Officials from the Cape of Good Hope SPCA intervened, citing the animal was highly stressed and needed urgent relocation. Bulletin journalist Johan du Toit says officials remain on site:

Stay tuned for more news………….