It’s Thursday, 28 May, and this is News Bite with Marcelle Gordon.
All eyes are on the Reserve Bank as South Africans wait for the SARB interest rate decision, with most economists expecting a 25 basis point increase as global economies feel the weight of Middle East tensions. At the same time, South African salary earners are feeling the pinch, with the latest PayInc Net Salary Index showing the average nominal net salary falling to just over R21,000 in April, while the average food basket has increased to nearly R5,500 in May. The latest DebtBusters Debt Index also shows many consumers are still relying heavily on unsecured credit.
Also today, Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and his co-accused have been granted R70,000 bail each and are expected back in court on 1 September for trial. The Mpumalanga taxi boss extortion case was struck off the roll earlier this month after the prosecutor failed to appear, but the matter has now been re-enrolled. Meanwhile, the latest Stats SA General Household Survey shows that nearly 57% of households experienced water interruptions last year, with Limpopo and the Eastern Cape seeing long-term declines in household access to water.
The first group of Ghanaian nationals has arrived back home aboard the first repatriation flight from South Africa, while EFF leader Julius Malema says violence against undocumented foreign nationals can never be justified. At the Beitbridge border post, border authorities have intercepted a drug consignment worth nearly R1-billion, after BMA officials stopped a truck from Malawi and uncovered large quantities of drugs during an eight-hour search. Three suspects have been arrested as investigators probe a wider drug trafficking network.
In other news, the MK Party chief whip is appearing in court as fraud and extortion allegations continue to unfold, while the Western Cape High Court has ruled that fixed water, sanitation and cleaning charges linked to property values are unlawful.
SPORT
Hugo Broos says cutting the Bafana Bafana squad down to a 26-man World Cup squad was not easy, with South Africa’s official squad announced at the Presidential Guest House. Two uncapped players have been included, while the tried-and-tested core remains. Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis says a strong start can set the tone and improve South Africa’s chances of progressing beyond the group stage.
And finally, Bafana’s World Cup squad is officially out, which means South Africa has entered its favourite national condition: debating selections like we personally sat in the technical meeting.
That’s your News Bite for 28 May.
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