News 9:00

BULLETIN 18 May 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa heads to US today to set the record straight on SA misinformation
# Ramaphosa hails advocate Duma Nokwe as a true revolutionary
# And, DA demands accountability over NPA’s mishandling of Omotoso case

# President Cyril Ramaphosa departs for the US today, aiming to repair strained relations and dismiss claims of an Afrikaner genocide in South Africa. Speaking at the ANC Northern Cape Provincial Executive Committees induction, Ramaphosa said he will firmly reject the allegations, calling it disinformation used by individuals seeking US asylum. He emphasised that there is no genocide as South Africans are not committing acts of hatred or retribution against anyone:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed Advocate Duma Nokwe as a true revolutionary. Delivering a eulogy at Nokwe’s reburial ceremony in Johannesburg, Ramaphosa praised his unwavering principles and courage. Nokwe, the first black advocate admitted to the Johannesburg Bar, served as ANC Secretary-General from 1958 to 1969. He died in exile in Zambia in 1978. Ramaphosa noted his contribution to the Freedom Charter:

# The DA is demanding accountability from the National Prosecuting Authority over what it calls gross incompetence in the rape trial of Timothy Omotoso. The DA’s Glynnis Breytenbach says the NPA failed to prosecute the case effectively and allowed unethical conduct. She says one example of this was the creation of a WhatsApp group that included the prosecutors and complainants. Breytenbach says the NPA’s vague responses to Parliament’s Justice Portfolio Committee yesterday are insufficient, stating that the mishandling of the case sends a dangerous message to victims of gender-based violence.

# Giyani Airport in Limpopo is set to reopen as F.Y. Siyandhani International Airport after years of closure. The Siyandhani Traditional Authority and Bombo Investment Group are launching phase one as a private commercial facility. Once a key hub during the Gazankulu homeland era, the airport’s revival includes four more phases to boost regional growth. Bombo’s Brilliance Ntiyiso told eNCA the project will create around 500 jobs:

# Motorsport: Oscar Piastri for McLaren claimed pole position in a dramatic qualifying session at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola yesterday. Lewis Hamilton suffered an early exit in his first home race for Ferrari and Yuki Tsunoda for the Red Bull team walked away from a major crash. Piastri delivered a flawless lap when it mattered to beat Dutchman Max Verstappen’s time by just 0.034 seconds. Lando Norris could manage only fourth for McLaren – after being edged out at the last by George Russell, who will start from third for Mercedes.

Stay tuned for more news………….