News 12:00

BULLETIN 8 April 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Mchunu denounces construction mafias
# The NSRI is on high alert amid heavy rains and wind in the Western Cape
# And, tennis: Djokovic’s expectations are not very high heading into Monte Carlo

# Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu has condemned construction mafias during an inspection of the uMkhomazi water scheme in KwaZulu-Natal. He says tender assignments are merit-based, urging transparency. The 20-billion-rand project, slated for completion in 2029, involves constructing a dam and associated infrastructure. Mchunu emphasises fair tendering processes, affirming that only qualifying applicants receive assignments:

# The National Sea Rescue Institute says it has so far not been required to respond to any critical weather-related incidents at sea, or on inland waters in the Western Cape. The province is currently experiencing heavy rains and strong winds of up to 150 kilometres per hour, prompting the closure of schools in the Cape Winelands, Somerset West and Overberg. NSRI’s spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, says volunteer crews remain on high alert to assist disaster risk management teams:

Meanwhile, the City of Tshwane says due to inclement weather conditions, residents can expect delays in the restoration of power outages in some parts of the metro. Technicians are currently attending electricity trips in Waterkloof, Centurion and Olievenhoutbosch. The metro says in Pretoria West Industrial, teams are continuing with digging to repair the cable fault. It adds that all electrical work will only be stopped for safety reasons.

# Tennis: World number one Novak Djokovic admits his expectations are low heading into the Monte Carlo Masters. Unlike in previous years when he started his year with titles at the Australian Open, in Dubai or the Sunshine Double, the Serbian remains without a trophy so far this year. The two-time champion in Monte Carlo hopes he can play better, having not advanced beyond the quarterfinals in seven appearances since 2015:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-62-cents and the euro at 20-rand-17-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-51-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-673-dollars-51-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-and-331-dollars-18-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-17-cents a barrel.

# And finally, Capetonian Ryan Stramrood has made history by becoming the first person to conquer the Big 5 Swims in Western Cape waters. The challenging series of five demanding open-water swims, includes Cape Point’s eight kilometres and 33 kilometres of the False Bay Crossing. Stramrood is a renowned extreme swimmer and global speaker. He achieved this feat by completing the RI West Coast Angle, an 18-kilometer swim from Blouberg Beach to the northern tip of Robben Island.

Stay tuned for more news………….