News 08:00

BULLETIN 21 April 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA opposes the Defence minister’s consideration of a Legal Aid request from Mapisa-Nqakula
# Motorsport: Verstappen takes pole for the Chinese Grand Prix after a sprint win
# And, president Ramaphosa mourns the passing of the PAC veteran Ernest ‘Motsoko’ Pheko

# The DA opposes Defence minister Thandi Modise’s consideration of former speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s request for financial assistance in her corruption trial. The DA’s national spokesperson on Defence, Kobus Marais, warns of potential legal action should Modise approve the request. He says Mapisa Nqakula’s personal legal costs shouldn’t burden taxpayers. Marais also condemns the alleged misuse of state funds and calls for accountability, including the suspension of the SANDF’s head of Legal Services, Eric Mnisi:

# The City of Tshwane has placed five senior officials on precautionary suspension following guilty findings in a year-long disciplinary process over the controversial Rooiwal tender award. Spokesperson Selby Bokaba says, despite being found not guilty on three charges, they face suspension without pay for one month on the fourth charge. The city intends appealing the outcome, citing disagreement with the process:

# Two Japanese maritime self-defence forces helicopters have crashed into the sea during a training exercise, killing at least one of the eight crew members on board. Local media reports the two SH-60 patrol helicopters were conducting anti-submarine exercises last night near Torishima in the remote Izu island group, off the southern coast of central Japan. The search for the missing crew continues, and both flight recorders have been recovered. Japan’s Defense minister Kihara Minoru said at a news conference this morning it is likely the two helicopters collided.

# Motorsport: Triple world champion Max Verstappen took pole position yesterday for the Chinese Grand Prix, 0.322-seconds ahead of Red Bull team mate Sergio Perez, with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso third. Verstappen clocked a fastest lap of one-minute-33.660-seconds to cap a perfect day after earlier winning the sprint race at the Shanghai International Circuit. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari is in the sixth starting position, Carlos Sainz will be on the fourth row, in seventh position, next to George Russell of Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton, in his Mercedes, will start from the 18th position, in row nine.

# And, president Cyril Ramaphosa has relayed condolences over the death of liberation stalwart Ernest ‘Motsoko’ Pheko aged 93. The former PAC president served as a Member of Parliament and PAC Representative to the United Nations. Ramaphosa recognised his multifaceted career as a lawyer, author, theologian, and historian. He says Pheko’s legacy as a champion of liberation and human rights endures.

Stay tuned for more news………….