It’s Wednesday, 24 June, and this is News Bite with Marcelle Gordon.
SAPS and private security are joining forces ahead of the unofficial 30 June deadline set by groups calling for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa. Police and PSIRA say lessons from the July 2021 riots have helped them prepare for unrest, while Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says safety is not negotiable and has outlined when the SANDF could be deployed.
Wits University researcher Associate Professor Justin Visagie says blaming migrants for South Africa’s jobs crisis risks hiding the deeper causes of mass unemployment, although competition is often tighter in the informal economy.
At the Madlanga Commission, Witness K has implicated suspended Deputy EMPD chief Julius Mkhwanazi in the theft of R14.9 million in precious stones from Rosebank in 2023. The JMPD inspector, who was Mkhwanazi’s girlfriend at the time, testified partially in-camera and admitted her role in the theft.
Suspended KZN Correctional Services Commissioner Mnikelwa Nxele has been arrested on fraud and money laundering charges linked to allegations between 2004 and 2023. Correctional Services boss Makgothi Thobakgale says the arrest followed years of investigations. Nxele was previously named in Bosasa-related state capture testimony.
Looking abroad, a United Nations Commission of Inquiry says Israel deliberately targeted Palestinian children in Gaza, while UNICEF says about 265 children have been killed in Gaza since last October’s ceasefire was announced. Israel has rejected the report.
BUSINESS
Major fuel price cuts may be on the way in July. Central Energy Fund data shows petrol could drop by between R2.90 and R3 per litre, while diesel could fall by between R4 and R5 per litre.
In other news we’re keeping an eye on, the Eastern Cape High Court has dismissed Premier Oscar Mabuyane’s urgent application to stop EFF leader Julius Malema from making claims about his qualifications. Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile says his R70.9 billion education budget must tackle overcrowding and infrastructure.
SPORT
Bafana Bafana face a decisive 3am World Cup kick-off against South Korea, with only victory keeping their knockout hopes alive. Jude Bellingham says a Ghana player deserved man of the match after the Black Stars held England to a goalless draw, while Durban City has appointed Khalil Youssef as head coach.
And finally, between a 3am Bafana alarm, possible fuel-price relief and another Madlanga Commission twist, today’s News Bite is giving hard news with a tiny side of sleep deprivation.
That’s your News Bite for 24 June.
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Chapter List
(00:00) Opening Headlines
(00:30) SAPS And Private Security
(01:35) Cachalia And SANDF Deployment
(02:20) Migrants And Jobs Claims
(03:10) Witness K And Julius Mkhwanazi
(04:05) Mnikelwa Nxele Arrested
(05:00) Gaza Children UN Report
(06:00) July Fuel Price Cuts
(06:50) Mabuyane Court Bid
(07:25) Gauteng Education Budget
(08:00) Bafana v South Korea
(08:30) News Bite Wrap