News 07:00

BULLETIN 4 April 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Opposition parties welcome Mapisa-Nqakula’s resignation, saying she had no choice
# The World Bank says the Middle East conflict caused damage amounting to R350-billion in Gaza
# And cricket: Sri Lanka’s women clinch a historic T20 series triumph against South Africa

# The EFF says it is evident that National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s resignation comes as a result of mounting pressure and public scrutiny. Her resignation comes just days after she lost a court bid to ward off being arrested, over allegations she received kickbacks on tenders when she was the minister of Defence. The EFF says it considers Mapisa-Nqakula’s resignation as just one step towards restoring accountability and transparency in Parliament.

Meanwhile, the Freedom Front Plus says in the meantime the resignation of Mapisa-Nqakula, is very much welcomed. She is facing corruption allegations totalling 4.55-million-rand, dating back to her days as Defence minister. FF Plus leader, Pieter Groenewald, says Mapisa-Nqakula had no choice but to resign as she failed to protect the dignity of Parliament:

# Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane, will today share an independent investigative report with the family of a grade seven learner, Latoya Temilton, who tragically drowned. Latoya from Laerskool Queenswood in Tshwane, died at a school leadership camp in January, where she was allegedly swimming unsupervised. The department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona says an independent law firm was commissioned to probe the circumstances surrounding the incident:

# The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union in the Western Cape has criticised the implementation of cost containment measures by the provincial Department of Education. As a result of national budget cuts, the department suffered a 716.4-million-rand blow to its budget at the end of last year. MEC David Maynier says this forced them to implement cost containment measures, including building fewer schools and employing fewer relief teachers. Sadtu says these measures will affect poor working-class schools that cannot afford to employ additional staff.

# The World Bank estimates the conflict in the Middle East has caused 350-billion-rand worth of damage to critical infrastructure in Gaza. The region has been under Israeli attack since October last year, following Hamas’s assault on Israel, resulting in over a thousand casualties and the abduction of over 200 Israeli citizens by the group. Israel has focused its attacks on Gaza, believing that Hamas members are hiding there. The World Bank reports the extensive infrastructure damage in Gaza has significantly impacted all sectors of the economy.

# Cricket: Sri Lanka’s women’s side defeated South Africa by four wickets in the third and final T20 International in East London, to win the series two-one. This is their first series triumph over the Proteas in any format. Player of the Series Laura Wolvaardt scored 56 as the host posted 155 for six in their 20 overs. In reply, captain Chamari Athapathtu top-scored with 73 as the visitors achieved their highest successful run chase of all time in T20, finishing on 156 for six.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-66-cents and the euro at 20-rand-23-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-61-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-662-dollar-96-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-300-dollar-10-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 89-dollar-49-cents -cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….