News 07:00

BULLETIN 3 April 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Possible jail time looms for the MK Party leader Visvin Reddy for threatening violence
# The EFF is calling for the immediate arrest of Mapisa-Nqakula
# And motorsport: Mercedes is not concerned about the reliability of its car

# uMkhonto we Sizwe party leader Visvin Reddy faces charges under the Riotous Assemblies Act for allegedly inciting violence about potential unrest if former president Jacob Zuma is barred from elections. The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed Reddy will appear at the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court today. News24 reports Reddy denies any wrongdoing, vowing to challenge the charges and sue the state if successful. Reddy’s remarks, captured in a viral video, warned of riots and election disruptions if the MK party is excluded.

# The EFF says law enforcement agencies must arrest National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula immediately, to ensure she faces the full consequences of her actions. Her urgent application to interdict her arrest was struck off the roll in the High Court in Pretoria yesterday. She is accused of soliciting bribes from a defence contractor between 2017 and 2019 while she was Defence minister. The EFF says Mapisa-Nqakula’s negligence and greed have not only tainted her reputation but have also led to dire consequences for the South African Defence Force.

# Fort Hare University’s vice chancellor, Sakhele Buhlungu, expressed disappointment and a sense of betrayal after 15 more suspects were arrested in connection with a corruption scandal. The suspects, hailing from various provinces, appeared before the Dimbaza Magistrate’s Court for bail applications, bringing the total arrested to 25. Some suspects are expected to appear in court today for a formal bail hearing. Buhlungu praised law enforcement for their efforts in the ongoing investigation:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed a proclamation, authorising the Special Investigating Unit to probe allegations of maladministration and corruption in the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture. The investigation will look into the construction of nine libraries, the supply of books, and the unauthorised, irregular, fruitless, or wasteful expenditure incurred by the department. The SIU says the probe’s scope will also cover any unlawful or improper conduct by department officials or employees.

# Iran has vowed to take revenge for Monday night’s airstrike in Damascus in which seven military figures were killed. The attack, ascribed to Israel, targeted the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital. Tehran has since the start of the Gaza war avoided direct conflict with Israel while backing its allies in attacking Israeli and American targets. A senior Israeli government official told Reuters the targets, members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, had been behind many attacks on Israeli and American assets.

# Motorsport: Mercedes says there are no major concerns over its car reliability moving forward. A double did not finish in Australia last time out left the Formula One team fourth in the constructors’ standings and 72 points behind Red Bull, with Ferrari only four points back from the leaders. Mercedes Technical Director, James Allison, says all the focus is on extracting more performance from the car:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-79-cents and the euro at 20-rand-24-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-63-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-772-dollar-15-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-283-dollar-88-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 88-dollar-95-cents -cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….