It’s Friday, 19 June, and this is News Bite with Marcelle Gordon.
The Border Management Authority has been preparing to process over 1,500 undocumented migrants through the Beitbridge border in one of the largest coordinated deportation operations in recent months. The BMA says 1,129 Malawians and 467 Zimbabweans have been processed after being found without valid documentation to be in South Africa.
At the same time, cabinet ministers visited the Lindela Repatriation Centre, which has been in the spotlight after anti-illegal immigrant protests and growing fear among foreign nationals. Lindela is a temporary holding facility for people awaiting deportation, but Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says officials cannot hold detainees at the centre for more than 48 hours. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia was also at the centre.
At the Madlanga Commission, the stolen coffee machine is back on the agenda. KZN Hawks head Leseja Senona has denied allegations that he ordered Warrant Officer Karl Sander to take a polygraph test over the theft, after Sander’s earlier testimony about intimidation, missing drugs and his beloved coffee machine caught public attention.
The IEC says 23,000 registration stations will open from 8am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday as the IEC launches a major voter registration drive. With service delivery front and centre, voters are being reminded that local government choices directly shape their communities.
Looking abroad, US and Iran talks in Switzerland on implementing a war-ending agreement have been postponed after a last-minute cancellation by US Vice-President JD Vance. The delay comes after the countries signed a memorandum of understanding in France earlier this week.
But Israel’s refusal to withdraw from Lebanon may remain a major sticking point. Lebanon says 18 people were killed in the latest Israeli airstrikes, while Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, said all of Lebanon must burn after the deaths of four Israeli soldiers.
In other news we’re keeping an eye on, SAPS forensic expert Laurance Makgotloe has been granted bail, with the court saying the risks can be managed through strict bail conditions.
Motorists could see even bigger fuel price cuts in July, with petrol showing an over-recovery of about R2.80 per litre and diesel between R4.50 and R4.90 per litre. The possible relief is being driven largely by lower global oil prices linked to the potential US-Iran deal.
And Apple says it is being forced to raise prices because of surging memory chip costs, with analysts warning that smartphone prices could rise globally as the tech industry faces higher input costs.
SPORT
Teboho Mokoena became the Bafana Bafana hero the country was waiting for, slotting home the penalty that kept South Africa’s World Cup hopes alive in a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic. But it was seeing the tears roll down his face during the national anthem that captured attention. Mexico’s win over South Korea means Bafana’s next match is key, although Mokoena will miss it through suspension. Thapelo Maseko may be one to lean on after winning the penalty and taking man-of-the-match honours. In rugby, the Bulls are chasing a fourth-time-lucky breakthrough in the United Rugby Championship, with Saturday’s final against Leinster in Dublin looming.
And finally, between a missing coffee machine, a tearful penalty hero and a presidential library opening with world leaders in the room, today’s episode really said: history is serious, but the plot twists have range.
That’s your News Bite for 19 June.
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