News 14:00

BULLETIN 24 April 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The national Director of Public Prosecutions reflects on the NPA’s progress in rebuilding after state capture
# The Johannesburg mayor decries the abuse of legal processes following an attempted arrest of the city manager 
# And tennis: Carlos Alcaraz believes he will be able to play in Madrid 

# National Director of Public Prosecutions, Shamila Batohi, says the National Prosecuting Authority has made significant strides in rebuilding after the era of state capture. She highlighted achievements in stabilising leadership, increasing capacity, and collaborating with civil society and international experts. At a media roundtable in Pretoria, Batohi acknowledged challenges, including slow progress in some state capture-related cases. Despite challenges and criticism, Batohi says the NPA is committed to accountability and its vital role in South Africa’s rebuilding process:

# Johannesburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda says he was made aware of an attempt by the sherrif of the court to effect an arrest on city manager Floyd Brink. This is in relation to a matter that involves a resident of the city and a disputed utilities account. The city’s spokesperson, Mlimandlela Ndamase, says the warrant of arrest was found to be defective and erroneous and as such could not legally be executed:

# Eastern Cape MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Ntombovuyo Nkopane, has dismissed allegations of nepotism regarding beneficiaries of the Expanded Public Works Programme. This follows president Cyril Ramaphosa’s participation in the 20th anniversary celebration and Phase-five launch at Buffalo City stadium today. Nkopane emphasised the programme’s commitment to providing work opportunities and income support to the impoverished and unemployed. She praised its progress and the forthcoming Phase-five, fostering sustainable development.

# Tennis: Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz is set to play in his first clay-court tournament of the season in his country’s capital. The Madrid Open starts today, with the world number three having a bye. His first match should be in the second round on Friday. Alcaraz, who won the tournament the past two years, missed Monte Carlo and Barcelona due to injury, but believes he should be fit this week. He hopes for a final against his famous compatriot, Rafael Nadal, who is also struggling to regain full fitness.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-13-cents and the euro at 20-rand-46-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-81-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-357-dollars-7-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-317-dollars-2-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 88-dollars-8-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The University of Pretoria’s Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control has been awarded a grant worth 31.3-million-rand by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This will allow for the continuation of the institute’s successful Advanced Leadership Programme for the Elimination of Malaria launched in April 2022. The university’s Taneshka Kruger says although African countries have made significant strides in combating malaria, the continent continues to disproportionately bear the burden of this disease:

Stay tuned for more news………….