News 17:00

BULLETIN 10 May 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The IEC urges the Constitutional Court to expedite the decision on Jacob Zuma’s parliamentary eligibility due to the imminent election
# The Western Cape government says the identification process is the key focus in the George disaster
# And roadrunning: Runners are gearing up for the Run Your City Cape Town race 

# The Electoral Commission is urging the Constitutional Court to urgently decide on the eligibility of MK Party leader Jacob Zuma to serve in Parliament, citing the imminent elections. The IEC warns of a potential disputed election outcome if Zuma stands despite disqualification, which could undermine the constitutional order. The IEC’s legal counsel, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, argues the Electoral Court erred in admitting Zuma’s candidacy as the IEC is obligated to determine candidates’ eligibility for the National Assembly:

# The Western Cape government says following the building collapse in George 12 people are confirmed dead, 40 rescued and 41 still unaccounted for. Three more bodies were found this morning. Premier Alan Winde says the identification process is a key focus amid language barrier challenges. He says this will be addressed with consulate representatives. Despite resource allocation efforts, Winde acknowledges the complexity of ensuring accurate identification:

# Housing activists in Cape Town have urged president Cyril Ramaphosa to use the State Land Disposal Act of 1961 to make public land available for housing. They have handed over 12 additional applications to the Department of Public Works for state-owned land to be released for affordable housing. The activists have already identified 32 pieces of land in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. The City of Cape Town’s Integrated Human Settlements Plan says there are about 360-thousand people on the housing waiting list.

# Nigeria’s Senate has introduced stricter penalties for drug trafficking, with the death penalty proposed as the new maximum punishment, replacing life imprisonment. The move aims to combat the country’s transformation into a significant producer, consumer, and distributor of illegal drugs, including opioids like tramadol and codeine-containing cough syrups. While some lawmakers express concerns over the irreversible nature of the death penalty, the bill awaits reconciliation between Senate and House versions before reaching the president.

# Road running: Some of Africa’s elite athletes are preparing to take part in the ninth edition of the Run Your City Cape Town race on Sunday. South Africa’s ten-kilometre record holder, Precious Mashele, the country’s three-time Olympian Stephen Mokoka, and Lesotho Olympian Neheng Khatala, are among the 12-thousand runners who will take on the ten-kilometre route from Milnerton to the CBD. The city says the race has become one of the country’s most loved road running events.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-41-cents and the euro at 19-rand-84-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-7-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-939-dollars-21-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-367-dollars-77-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-16-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….