News 18:00

BULLETIN 15 June 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Business Leadership South Africa hails the reform gains but warns the investment crisis persists
# The Gauteng Legislature welcomes the suspension of the Traffic Police chief
# And, Soccer: Ricardo Goss backs Hugo Broos ahead of Bafana’s match against the Czech Republic

# Business Leadership South Africa says recent developments, including a credit rating upgrade, improved port performance in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, and stronger-than-expected gross domestic product growth, show that reforms are starting to work. However, the organisation warns investment remains too low at just 13.5-percent of gross domestic product, far below the 30-percent target needed to drive stronger growth. In her weekly newsletter, the organisation’s CEO, Busisiwe Mavuso, said lingering policy uncertainty, weak investor confidence, and global economic pressures are holding back progress.

# The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has welcomed the suspension of Gauteng Traffic Police Chief Inspector Samuel Mashaba pending a disciplinary process. The decision follows testimony before the Madlanga Commission, where Mashaba reportedly made admissions that could amount to serious misconduct. The committee chairperson Bandile Masuku says the move reflects government’s commitment to accountability and ethical leadership. He calls for a fair, transparent and speedy disciplinary process:

# Eastern Cape Transport and Community Safety MEC, Xolile Nqatha, has condemned the deadly shooting at a pharmacy in the Sejoseng Business Centre in Qumbu over the weekend. Gunmen opened fire on three customers at the pharmacy, killing ANC activist Wonele Gontshi. Another victim was injured, while a third managed to escape. The MEC’s spokesperson, Makhaya Komisa, says Nqatha is confident police will arrest those responsible for this fatal shooting:

# US President Donald Trump celebrated his 80th and America’s 250th birthday with an Ultimate Fighting Championship event on the White House lawn. Trump and thousands of other mixed martial arts fans watched on as American fighter Justin Gaethje beat Spanish-Georgian opponent Ilia Topuria to win the lightweight championship in the main event. The fight night was the first ever professional sporting event held at the presidential residence.  An estimated four-thousand-300 people were present for the invite-only event on the South Lawn, and another 85-thousand were expected to watch at a nearby fan zone.

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ricardo Goss has defended head coach Hugo Broos amid criticism following a 2-nil loss to Mexico. Goss says it is unfair to judge Broos harshly, pointing to the team’s progress under his leadership, including World Cup qualification and a third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations. He backed Broos to continue leading the team as they face Czechia in a Group A clash on Thursday:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-18-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-78-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-74-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-617-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-357-dollars-91-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-62-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….