News 09:00

BULLETIN 24 April 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Government is pursuing policies to foster black South Africans towards economic participation
# More than 100,000 sexual assault kits are available but not at all police stations
# And the US Senate passes an R1.81-trillion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government is pursuing policies that will foster black South Africans towards participation in the economy. He addressed the Worker Share Ownership Conference hosted by the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition at the Sandton Convention Centre. He believes worker share ownership will be critical in ensuring that no one is left behind. Ramaphosa hailed the initiative as a key step towards addressing inequality and enhancing inclusion:

# Police have disclosed there are currently more than 100-thousand sexual assault kits available to victims but not all police stations have access to them. Responding to a parliamentary question, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola said while the number of kits often exceeds the required amount in most provinces, there are shortages in certain areas, notably in the Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. While there are lots of kits available, only an estimate of 46-thousand-119 kits are required. Masemola explained that not all police stations have these kits due to concerns over cost-effectiveness.

# ActionSA in KwaZulu-Natal has rejected the EFF’s claims that its donations of food parcels to the uMfolozi TVET College, Esikhawini Campus, is a mere publicity stunt for next month’s elections. The party says it donated the food parcels after the EFF Student Command-led student representative council requested assistance. ActionSA’s provincial premier candidate, Zwakele Mncwango, says their intervention was driven solely by wanting to help the students, and not by any political motives, as insinuated by the EFF:

# The US Senate has approved an aid package worth 1.81-trillion-rand for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan after months of delay. It passed in a bipartisan vote of 79-to-18. The legislation includes funding to replenish Ukraine’s war chest, humanitarian relief for civilians in conflict zones, including Gaza, and for the Indo-Pacific region to bolster its defences against China. President Joe Biden will sign the legislation into law today, saying it is important to support countries defending themselves against terrorists like Hamas and tyrants like Russian president Vladimir Putin.

# Soccer: Arsenal are now three points clear at the top of the Premier League table after thrashing Chelsea five-nil at the Emirates Stadium. Leandro Trossard gave the home side the lead in the first half. Kai Havertz and Ben White scored twice each in a rampant second-half performance from Mikel Arteta’s side to put them four clear of reigning champions Manchester City in third. Arteta says he is happy with the dominant second-half display from his team:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-8-cents and the euro at 20-rand-44-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-77-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-784-dollars-16-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-327-dollars-69-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 88-dollars-45-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….