It’s Friday, 12 June, and this is News Bite with Marcelle Gordon.
Bafana Bafana’s World Cup opener against Mexico has left South African football fans hurting after a 2- 0 loss to the co-hosts in a match with more red cards than goals. The result lit up social media, family chats and office banter, with many fans asking whether the team could at least have shown more fight. Bafana now have a chance to respond against the Czech Republic next Thursday at 6pm.
South Africa’s repatriation drive is also back in focus. Home Affairs says 586 Nigerian nationals living illegally in South Africa have been processed for voluntary repatriation after being issued with emergency travel documents by the Nigerian High Commission.
At the same time, 980 Malawians have left South Africa on 14 buses from the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp. Home Affairs says it is the country’s largest single-day repatriation from the centre, with officials saying deportations happen weekly, but rarely on this scale.
Community activist Andile Siko is warning that misinformation and unverified claims about foreign nationals may be fuelling anger over crime and jobs. An Ethiopian shop owner in Kugompo has also rejected claims that foreign nationals deliberately harm local communities, saying many are simply trying to earn an honest living.
At the Madlanga Commission, Gauteng Traffic Police Chief Samuel Mashaba has admitted taking money from a police informant and has also admitted that Itumeleng Nku is a friend. This contradicts his earlier statement that he was not close to Nku and that no money changed hands. Mashaba was testifying about the R300-million Aeroton drug bust, involving a truck travelling from KwaZulu-Natal to Gauteng.
In the United States, Donald Trump says he made an 11th-hour decision to call off strikes on Iran, while again claiming a deal is very close. Tehran says the reports are speculative and that nothing has been finalised. The remarks have also moved oil markets, with Trump making fresh claims about ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
In Mitchells Plain, the Western Cape government is putting R9-million into safe zones for school-age children during the June holidays. The area has one of the highest serious crime reporting rates in the province, with deadly shootings leaving many children exposed to ongoing trauma. Officials say plans are in place to expand the programme to other communities.
In other news we’re keeping an eye on, Parliament’s Police Committee wants to meet the Impeachment Committee to avoid duplicating work. The impeachment committee is looking into President Cyril Ramaphosa’s conduct during the Phala Phala theft, while the Police Committee is looking into the actions of Presidential Protection Head Wally Rhoode.
SPORT
Bafana Bafana’s 2-0 defeat to Mexico remains the big talking point, with coach Hugo Broos defending his tactical approach and former striker Delron Buckley saying the team did not do itself any favours. Elsewhere in Group A, South Korea came from behind to beat the Czech Republic 2-1. Real Madrid have confirmed Jose Mourinho’s return on a three-year deal, while the Proteas Women begin their ICC T20 World Cup campaign against Australia on Saturday.
And finally, Bafana losing a World Cup opener on a school night is one thing. Having the whole country wake up tired and emotionally bruised is another. Somewhere out there, a WhatsApp group is still typing.
That’s your News Bite for 12 June.
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