News 17:00

BULLETIN 6 May 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Electricity minister denies election timing is linked to the energy security gains
# The GOOD party says the NPA doesn’t know how many TRC cases it should be investigating 
# And rugby: The Sharks’ flyhalf is a late bloomer at the age of 27

# Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has dismissed claims of a connection between energy security improvements and the upcoming elections. In a media briefing on the energy action plan’s progress, Ramokgopa highlighted the role of planned maintenance. He notes a five-percentage-point recovery in the unit capability factor between April 2023 and last month, suggesting an end to load-shedding is near. He cautions that challenges persist, but assures progress is underway:

# The Good Party says 21 years after publication of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report, the National Prosecuting Authority is yet to complete the task of identifying apartheid-era operatives who committed crimes for which they should have been prosecuted. This was revealed by Justice and Correctional Services minister Ronald Lamola in parliamentary answers to questions by GOOD. The party’s Brett Herron says according to Lamola, of the 159 TRC cases the NPA was aware of, 21 had been finalised and 137 are still under investigation.

# The Free State government has initiated a project to replace asbestos roofs with corrugated iron sheets in over 36-thousand houses. The project has seen top officials, including former premier Ace Magashule and 17 others, implicated for alleged corruption for the irregular awarding of a 255-million-rand asbestos roof removal contract. Human Settlement MEC Ketso Makume says the three-billion-rand project aims to ensure proper roof installation to two-thousand structures annually.

# Panama’s former Security minister, José Raúl Mulino, has emerged as the unofficial winner in the presidential election after three rivals conceded. Mulino succeeds former president, Ricardo Martinelli, who was barred due to a money laundering conviction. Leading with nearly 35-percent of the votes, Mulino thanked supporters and acknowledged his responsibility. He pledged to tackle migration and boost economic recovery. Mulino’s victory comes amid challenges as he prepares to lead the nation for the next five years.

# Rugby: The Sharks will face Gloucester in the Challenge Cup final at Tottenham Stadium on May 24. Flyhalf Siya Masuku was named man of the match for a third consecutive game, after scoring 22 points to help the Sharks beat Clermont 32-31 in the semifinal. Masuku is a late bloomer at the age of 27, but coach John Plumtree says he keeps getting better:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-40-cents and the euro at 19-rand-84-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-16-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-522-dollars-84-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-325-dollars-14-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 83-dollars-45-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….