News 15:00

BULLETIN 7 May 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Umkhonto we Sizwe’s Youth League rejects a decision on Zuma made by the party founder
# An investigation into the George building collapse is underway
# And, rugby: The Stormers leave Cape Town for crucial URC matches

# The Umkhonto we Sizwe Youth League has strongly opposed statements attributed to party founder Jabulani Khumalo, disowning any association with him. National spokesperson, Nkateko Mkhabela, says they affirm their allegiance to former president Jacob Zuma, crediting his leadership for significant advancements. Mkhabela says Khumalo’s criticism will not deter their support for Zuma’s leadership and their commitment to the party’s goals. She urges Khumalo to refrain from undermining their cause for economic freedom:

# Western Cape premier Alan Winde has confirmed an investigation into the George building collapse is underway. Independent engineers have been assigned to probe the incident. Rescue crews are treating the site as a rescue operation for three days, adhering to international standards. The number of fatalities has risen to six, with 47 people still missing. In a media briefing, Winde states the identity of the company responsible for the building’s construction remains undisclosed due to ongoing police investigations:

# Russian president Vladimir Putin will be sworn in for his fifth term as president at the Kremlin amid controversy today. Critics have questioned the legitimacy of his victory in the March election. The 71-year-old is Russia’s longest-serving leader since Joseph Stalin. His re-election follows the death of vocal critic Alexey Navalny. The US, UK, and many European Union nations will reportedly boycott the ceremony. Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs ministry has refused recognition of the president, citing lack of democratic legitimacy.

# Rugby: A 27-man Stormers squad leaves Cape Town today for a crucial two-match United Rugby Championship tour. The Stormers are currently in fifth position on the overall standings and will take on Dragons in Newport on Friday, before facing Connacht in Galway next Saturday. Backs Angelo Davids and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu make their return from injury. Wings Leolin Zas, Ben Loader and Courtnall Skosan, centre Ruhan Nel, scrumhalf Paul de Wet and forwards Deon Fourie, Lizo Gqoboka and Ali Vermaak were not considered for selection due to injury.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-45-cents and the euro at 19-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-15-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-104-dollars-9-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-314-dollars-27-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-99-cents a barrel.

# And finally, the National School of Government of South Africa has partnered with the German Institute of Development and Sustainability. The partnership aims to bolster efforts of public institutions as uniquely placed establishments, to drive transformation and sustainable development in an increasingly complex world. This is done through a number of initiatives, including the annual participation in the Managing Global Governance Academy and conferences organised by the German institute. A total of 52 South African young professionals from governmental institutions, think tanks and research organisations, civil society and the private sector have participated in the governance academy.

Stay tuned for more news………….