News 18:00

BULLETIN 25 March 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Rise Mzansi urges government not to use state funds for Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s legal fees 
# The GOOD party dismisses Peter de Villiers for sexual misconduct
# And rugby: Another Stormers loosehead is injured

# Rise Mzansi has asked president Cyril Ramaphosa and Parliament’s secretary, Xolile George, to ensure taxpayers’ money will not be used to cover the legal fees for National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. She is seeking to interdict her looming arrest amid an investigation into allegations of corruption. The party demands a response within seven working days. It argues it is unacceptable for public funds to be used for the legal defence of politicians such as former president Jacob Zuma and former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane while citizens suffer.

# The GOOD party says it has dismissed former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers from both party membership and his position as a member of the Western Cape legislature, following findings of sexual misconduct. This decision comes after a disciplinary process concluded De Villiers breached the party’s constitution and code of conduct. Allegations surfaced on 31 January, leading to his immediate suspension pending investigation. GOOD national chairperson Matthew Cook, says deputy secretary-general Suzette Little has been sworn in to complete De Villiers’ term:

# The Department of Higher Education has revoked registrations for Damelin, CityVarsity, Icesa City Campus, and Lyceum College due to Educor’s failure to submit audited financial statements for 2021 and 2022. Hundreds of thousands of students have been left stranded after their registrations were cancelled. The department’s director-general, Nkosinathi Sishi, says private tertiary institutions must comply with financial reporting regulations as stipulated in the Higher Education Act. Educor manages ten educational brands across multiple campuses nationally and internationally.

# The Border Management Authority says it has tightening regulations on agricultural and environmental imports to prevent the introduction of invasive species. With tourism and trade booming, efforts to combat wildlife trafficking are escalating through enhanced detection methods and inter-jurisdictional agreements.  Commissioner Michael Masiapato says with Easter approaching travellers are urged to adhere to protocols for a safe and efficient border experience:

# Rugby: The Stormers’ convincing United Rugby Championship victory over Edinburgh in Cape Town on Saturday came at a price, with loosehead prop Lizo Gqoboka back on the injury list. He has just returned from an injury. Brok Harris had to come back on when Gqoboka left the field late in the game which the Stormers won 43-21. The Cape team now faces a crisis in the position, with other loosehead props also injured. The Stormers has improved to fifth on the log, and plays Ulster at home this coming weekend.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-86-cents and the euro at 20-rand-45-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-87-cents and Bitcoin trades at 69-thousand-255-dollars-24-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-177-dollars-39-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 86-dollars-7-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….