It’s Tuesday, 9 June, and this is News Bite with Marcelle Gordon.
Gauteng crime stats show serious crime decreased by 5% between January and March compared to the same period last year, with contact crimes like murder, assault and aggravated robbery also down. But many Johannesburg residents say the numbers do not match their lived reality, as communities continue to face gang violence, shootings and petty theft. In Cape Town, armed robbers stormed a church service in Samora Machel, stealing cellphones from congregants and sparking outrage in the community.
At the Madlanga Commission, Deputy Crime Intelligence head Feroz Khan is expected to appear on 1 July. Court papers linked to his summons point to alleged ties and dealings involving tobacco magnate Mohammad Sayed, Julius Malema and others. Anti-crime expert Yusuf Abramjee says the documents may carry far-reaching political implications and expose only a fraction of what was happening behind the scenes.
Anti-illegal migration protests remain tense in Gauteng, with police commissioner Tommy Mthombeni outlining readiness plans to maintain law and order. The protests come amid renewed talk of an ultimatum requiring undocumented foreign nationals to leave by the end of the month. In KwaThema, demonstrators remained defiant just a day after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a five-point plan aimed at tightening immigration enforcement.
In Johannesburg, Mayor Dada Morero has appeared before Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts, setting out the city’s service delivery structure. Scopa chair Songezo Zibi welcomed the city’s submission but warned that the overall picture remains bleak. Morero says Joburg has made some progress in improving city operations.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases says the rise in respiratory illnesses is mostly linked to seasonal influenza. Experts warn that low vaccination uptake and an early flu season could drive more infections in the weeks ahead.
Looking abroad, Donald Trump was booed at Madison Square Garden during Game 3 of the NBA Finals, with his appearance triggering heavy security and disruptions around New York. Trump also says the United States is in the “final
throes” of what he calls a very good deal involving Iran, after Tehran and Israel halted attacks on each other.
A Parliamentary probe has uncovered serious problems in the Traffic Register Number system, which is meant to allow foreign drivers to conduct road traffic transactions. Instead, it has allegedly been abused as an alternative to visas, with Parliament saying as many as a million applications may have included fraudulent documentation. On the business front, The Foschini Group will close hundreds of loss-making stores as part of a wider business reset, with about 300 stores expected to close in total.
SPORT
The first Somali referee selected to officiate at a World Cup, Omar Artan, will not take part after being denied entry into the United States. FIFA says it is powerless to intervene, while former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright has criticised the lack of action over growing World Cup visa chaos. Members of the Iran team have reportedly been held for questioning, while fans with match tickets say they have also been refused entry.
And finally, a World Cup is meant to bring the world together. Right now, it is giving group project energy: everyone is involved, nobody seems fully in charge, and Ian Wright is the one asking why the whole thing looks like chaos.
That’s your News Bite for 9 June.
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