News 16:00

BULLETIN 5 April 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# IPID launches investigations into police’s shootings of suspected criminals
# The SABC Bill’s passage has been delayed until the next Parliament
# And, rugby: The Lions are ready to fight for a place in the Challenge Cup quarterfinals

# The Independent Police Investigative Directorate says it’s investigating killings in shootouts between police and suspected criminals. In the last two days, IPID received reports of nine suspected criminals killed in KwaZulu-Natal, and six in Mpumalanga. While the law permits police to defend themselves and others, the police watchdog is concerned about the increasing number of suspects killed in such situations. IPID spokesperson Phaladi Shuping says the rise in reported cases is impacting the speed of investigations:

# The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies announced that the SABC Bill will not be passed during the current administration due to impending national elections. Addressing the media in Pretoria, deputy minister Philly Mapulane emphasised the bill’s aim is to modernise the SABC’s funding model, separating commercial and public service mandates. Mapulane highlights ongoing board measures to revitalise the SABC and expresses optimism for the bill’s passage in the next Parliament.

# The National Council of SPCAs has confirmed the presence of contagious ecthyma, an infectious dermatitis of sheep and goats in the Al Mawashi Feedlot, contained in the herd bound for Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Shipments from Australia where the disease has been found, have been rejected by the Middle East in the past. The NSPCA’s spokesperson, Jacques Peacock, says should this shipment be rejected by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, government has confirmed with the NSPCA South Africa will not be able to accept the returning animals:

# Eskom has announced load-shedding will remain suspended until further notice, following nine consecutive days of non-implementation. This is a result of sustained available generation capacity and adequate emergency reserves. Eskom will provide a system update on Sunday afternoon or communicate any significant changes should they occur.

# Rugby: The Lions are looking much better this year after several disappointing seasons. They are fighting for a place in the URC top eight and playing in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup, while six of their players were invited to the first Springbok alignment camp. The Joburg side will meet Benetton in Treviso tomorrow and if they are successful, they will stay in Europe to face Pau or Connacht in the Challenge Cup quarterfinals. Lions scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys expects an Italian side full of confidence:

# And, the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-59-cents and the euro at 20-rand-15-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-49-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-490-dollars-42-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-291-dollars-13-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-79-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….