News 18:00

BULLETIN 2 June 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa outlines the Presidency’s budget focus on economic reform and job creation
# The Western Cape police are investigating fatal clashes in a Mossel Bay informal settlement
# And, the African People’s Convention calls for stronger action against xenophobia and language discrimination

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the Presidency will focus on improving coordination across government to drive economic growth, create jobs and reduce poverty. He tabled the Presidency’s budget vote for 2026/2027 in Parliament, outlining the Presidency’s role in aligning departments and state entities to ensure better delivery of national priorities. Ramaphosa says the focus also includes strengthening accountability, improving decision-making and supporting a more capable and ethical state:

# Police in the Western Cape are investigating the murder of three people following violent unrest in Mossel Bay. Two Mozambican nationals were killed after violence broke out on Friday and about 55 shacks were set alight. An 18-year-old South African boy was later found dead on Saturday. Five suspects have been arrested. Police spokesperson Thembisile Patekile urged residents to remain calm and to protest peacefully while investigations continue:

# The African People’s Convention condemns the killing of Nhlamulo Sambo in Mossel Bay, claiming he was targeted for speaking Xitsonga. The party’s Freddy Mbhandze says the incident undermines Pan-African values and the right of all Africans to live free from discrimination and violence. He says the APC calls for respect for cultural diversity. He says African leaders must create more security for citizens while condemning xenophobic attacks and language-based discrimination:

# Digital law expert Emma Sadleir warns more South African children are turning to artificial intelligence chatbots for companionship, with some viewing them as close friends. She says excessive screen time, A-I-driven platforms, and deepfake technology pose growing risks to children’s development and well-being. Sadleir welcomes the Department of Basic Education’s plans to introduce screen-time guidelines for young children while calling for stronger safeguards to protect minors from the harmful effects of artificial intelligence.

# Soccer: Over four-persent more spectators attended matches of Spain’s top league, LaLiga, in the recently concluded season. The more than 11.6-million fans who watches matches are an all-time record in the competition, while a new record of 84.9- percent of stadium occupancy rate was achieved. This was despite several stadiums operating with capacity restrictions due to renovations, such as Barcelona’s Camp Nou, and Gerafe’s Coliseum. Barcelona was crowned LaLiga champions after beating Real Madrid in the final last month.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-22-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-89-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-85-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-442-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-505-dollars-72-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 94-dollars-42-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….