News 15:00

BULLETIN 4 April 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The state confirms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 counts of fraud and corruption
# Sy Mamabolo reiterates signing the Electoral Code of Conduct is a public pledge by political parties 
# And motorsport: Sebastian Vettel hints at returning to Formula One after talks with Mercedes’s CEO 

# State prosecutors are pushing for the corruption case against former National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to be transferred to the High Court. She is making her first appearance at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court and faces 12 counts of corruption and one of money-laundering. State prosecutor Bheki Manyathi confirmed the state is not opposed to Mapisa-Nqakula being released on bail:

# Chief Electoral Official Sy Mamabolo has emphasised the signing of the Electoral Code of Conduct is a public pledge by political parties and independent candidates ahead of the general elections. Approximately 27 million eligible voters are expected to cast their vote on 29 May. Speaking at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Johannesburg, Mamabolo highlighted parties’ commitment to abide by the code and stressed accountability for violations:

Meanwhile, the African Christian Democratic Party says all credibly accused ANC cadres should remove themselves from the ANC’s lists now and failure to do so will further damage Parliament’s integrity and competence. This follows Mapisa-Nqakula’s resignation as speaker. The ACDP’s Marie Sukers says the seventh Parliament cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the sixth administration:

# Over 600 members of the British legal profession, including three former Supreme Court judges, urged their government to stop arms sales to Israel. They believe it could make the country complicit to genocide in Gaza. Reuters reports prime minister Rishi Sunak is under growing pressure to halt the sales after three British nationals were among seven aid workers killed by Israeli soldiers this week. The lawyers say the provision of military assistance to Jerusalem may constitute serious breaches of international humanitarian law.

# Motorsport: German driver Sebastian Vettel is touted as a possible replacement for Lewis Hamilton at Formula One team Mercedes. The Briton announced earlier this year he will join Ferrari next season, and Mercedes hasn’t yet appointed another driver. Thirty-six-year-old Vettel retired after the 2022 season after winning four consecutive titles with Red Bull from 2010 to 2013, and also racing for Ferrari and Aston Martin. He reportedly hinted at returning after recent talks with Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-64-cents and the euro at 20-rand-24-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-60-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-357-dollars-80-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-292-dollars-3-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 89-dollars-30-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….