News 06:00

BULLETIN 30 April 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Election Commission wants a speedy probe into the MK Party’s alleged fraudulent signatures
# The ACT leader Ace Magashule is confident ahead of the elections
# And rugby: Experienced players dominate the Bok Women’s squad for the Africa Cup

# The Electoral Commission urges the police to speedily investigate allegations that the MK Party submitted fraudulent signatures to fulfil the candidate nomination requirements. According to weekend reports, a former senior member alleged that the party extensively forged signatures to qualify for the upcoming national elections. A criminal complaint has been filed with the police. The IEC says an expeditious investigation is essential for free and fair elections.

# African Congress for Transformation president general, Ace Magashule, says he is confident that his party can do well in the general elections. He campaigned in his hometown of Parys in the Free State yesterday. The Electoral Commission’s final national candidates list confirms ACT will contest next month’s elections, with the former ANC secretary general its number one candidate. Magashule says they want to make sure that they work and prioritise the needs of black people especially:

# Cancer patients and activists will today march to the Gauteng Department of Health in Johannesburg. The group is demanding the utilisation of the allocated 784-million-rand for cancer treatment to address a backlog affecting over three-thousand patients. Despite funding availability since March 2023, patients continue to suffer, with some passing away while waiting. Urgent action is sought, including outsourcing services and updating on tender progress. The crisis, ongoing since 2020, highlights severe equipment and staff shortages, particularly at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.

# The government is calling on Israel to allow the Freedom Flotilla to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, emphasising Israel’s obligations as the occupying power. This call comes as the International Court of Justice orders Israel to facilitate urgent aid provision to Gaza, citing the region’s dire circumstances, including the onset of famine. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says the government has condemned Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, labelling it a violation of international law and an impediment to vital aid delivery:

# Rugby: Experienced Springbok Women’s players Nomawethu Mabenge, Lusanda Dumke, and Sizophila Solontsi have been included in the national squad for the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Madagascar next month. Qualification for the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England is at stake. Head coach Louis Koen named a squad of 28 players to travel to Antananarivo, where South Africa will be up against Cameroon, Kenya, and Madagascar for the title as champions of Africa. Koen included only one uncapped player, Sikholiwe Mdletshe. Koen says he is happy with the squad:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-64-cents and the euro at 19-rand-98-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-40-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-344-dollars-62-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-333-dollars-53-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 86-dollars-99-cents a barrel.

# And finally: South African award-winning actress, Thuso Mbedu, and comedian, actor, and filmmaker, Kagiso Lediga, have been cast in Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King. This is a prequel to the 2019 remake of The Lion King. South African legend, John Kani, returns as Rafiki. Beyoncé is reprising the role of Queen Nala, while her daughter Blue Ivy voices Kiara, the daughter of King Simba. The new film, which will premiere in theatres on the 20th of December, will explore Mufasa’s origin story and his childhood with his brother Scar.

Stay tuned for more news………….