News 08:00

BULLETIN 2 March 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Government condemns Israel’s targeted killing of Palestinian civilians seeking humanitarian aid

# Bomb scare causes Zimbabwean president’s plane to return to Harare
# Rugby: Loftus will be packed for Bulls-Stormers clash

# The Department of International Relations and Cooperation condemns Israel’s targeted killing of Palestinian civilians, denouncing the recent massacre of 112 people seeking humanitarian aid. The department criticises the attack on vulnerable civilians as a violation of international law and the binding provisional orders of the International Court of Justice. As South Africa prepares its response to Israel’s ICJ report, calls for legal remedies grow to end what is seen as decades-long impunity. The department urges the United Nations Security Council for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis.

# Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, accuses the DA of politicising the sensitive case of missing seven-year-old Joslin Smith in Saldanah Bay in the Western Cape. Cele expressed disappointment over the party’s attempt to gain votes by misinforming the public, claiming police have withdrawn from the search. Ministry spokesperson Lirandzu Themba says the minister urges the DA to refrain from exploiting the pain of a family awaiting their child’s return:

# Tshwane’s Emergency Services Department has installed 500 smoke detector alarms in Plastic View informal settlement, aiding disaster risk reduction. The city’s Charles Mabaso says collaboration with firefighting students and emergency services will help to ensure effective implementation:

# Zimbabwean authorities are investigating a bomb scare at the airport of Victoria Falls that caused president Emmerson Mnangagwa to cancel his visit for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa’s conference. He was already on his way in a private jet when it was decided he should return to the capital of Harare. The airport received an email from an anonymous sender warning of a credible bomb or firearm threat against Zimbabwean airports. Other planes were diverted to airports in neighbouring countries.

# And, rugby: This afternoon’s match between the Bulls and the Stormers at a packed Loftus Versfeld is the most awaited of the weekend’s United Rugby Championship fixtures. The Pretoria team lost to their archrivals in all five their previous matches in the competition, and wants to prove a point. In the other South African derby, the Lions will host the Sharks at Ellis Park. The Bulls are currently in third place on the log, the Stormers sixth, the Lions 11th and the Sharks 16th.

Stay tuned for more news………….