News 12:00

BULLETIN 9 May 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A robust telecommunications infrastructure is crucial during the elections
# Master Builders South Africa mourns the victims of the George building collapse
# And rugby: The Lions are still chasing a first URC play-off spot

# The Communication Risk Information Centre says as the country approaches the general elections, the need for secure and reliable communication channels cannot be overstated. The centre’s CEO, Thokozani Mvelase, says telecommunications infrastructure will play a key role in ensuring seamless communication among voters, electoral bodies, and all stakeholders involved in the electoral process. He says the primary risk is the potential for interference in the electoral process, which can manifest in various forms such as data breaches, system hacks and the dissemination of misinformation.

# Master Builders South Africa has expressed deep sorrow over the collapse of a five-storey building in George on Monday. President Musa Shangase extends condolences to the victims’ families and colleagues, thanking all involved in the response efforts. Shangase emphasises concern for construction site safety and pledges their support in investigations. He says the Federation of Construction Industry Employers remains committed to ensuring occupational health and safety standards are upheld.

# The Gauteng Department of Social Development says its social workers are repatriating eight teenage boys back home to Mozambique. The boys aged between 13 and 17 years old were found during a police raid initiated by the Department of Labour and Employment. Social Development’s spokesperson, Themba Gadebe, says information was received in January that a Chinese factory in Nigel was employing children and undocumented foreign nationals:

# Rugby: The Lions are still chasing a place in the play-offs of the United Rugby Championship for the first time. They must win their remaining three games to have a chance and will face Welsh side Cardiff Blues on Saturday. The Lions have shown flashes of brilliance this season, but also had some stuttering performances in other games. Forwards coach Barend Pieterse says the inconsistency is frustrating:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-53-cents and the euro at 19-rand-89-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-12-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-193-dollars-10-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-312-dollars-6-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-17-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The South African Depression and Anxiety Group says suicide among schoolchildren is a major concern. Recently, four learners from Eqinisweni Secondary School in Ivory Park in Midrand, Gauteng, allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison within ten days. Sadag says at least 70 schools have seen suicides or suicide attempts in the past six months. It says this problem needs to be addressed in a much more proactive and dynamic way.

Stay tuned for more news………….