News 13:00

BULLETIN 29 March 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Afrikanerbond convinced that Malema is a hate speech serial offender
# The Airports Company board calls for forensic investigation into alleged procurement irregularities
# And Rugby: New Zealand overpower Blitzboks at Hong Kong Sevens

# The Afrikanerbond says it remains convinced that EFF leader Julius Malema is a hate speech serial offender and his incitement is directly connected to crime, in particular farm attacks and farm murders. The Constitutional Court ruling to declare “Kill the Boer” as hate speech was delivered without hearing arguments. Afrikanerbond chief secretary, Jan Bosman says both the ANC and the EFF’s irresponsible flirtation with revolution sets the stage for populism and violence by their followers, who are irresponsibly incited by their political leaders:

# Eskom says while load-shedding remains suspended due to a stable power system, it has managed to save more than 16-billion-rand year-on-year in spending on diesel usage. Eskom spokesperson, Daphne Mokwena says this reflects 50.8-percent savings compared to the 33.35-billion-rand spent during the same period last year. She says Kusile Unit 2 is set to be reconnected to the repaired flue gas desulphurisation system and main stack by month-end:

# The Airports Company South Africa board says it will appoint an independent company to conduct an investigation and request the Auditor General of South Africa to look into reports of alleged procurement irregularities. The Airports Company says the decision follows reports that there were suspected irregularities in the procurement process to appoint independent bid evaluators, and additional resources to support ACSA’s Supply Chain Management Department.

# A Chinese rescue team arrived in Yangon, Myanmar’s former capital, earlier while Russia and the US have also offered to provide humanitarian assistance and relief after the devastating earthquake that killed more than a thousand people. China’s President Xi Jinping has sent a message of condolence to Myanmar’s leader, Min Aung Hlaing, after the earthquake. According to the Chinese embassy in Myanmar, they have spoken on the phone. State media reports buildings in five of Myanmar’s cities and towns collapsed, along with a railway bridge and a road bridge on the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway.

# Rugby: The Blitzboks won’t play in the cup knock-out stages of the Hong Kong Sevens after they were comprehensively beaten by New Zealand in their Pool B clash this morning. The final score was 17 – 7, after the New-Zealanders were leading 12- nil at half-time. New Zealand dominated possession in the first half and made it count by crossing for two tries through Cody Vai and Dylan Collier, with Ngarohi McGarvey-Black adding a conversion. The Blitzboks did, however, manage to score a consolation try through Donavon Don at the death, but it was too little too late.

# And finally: The City of Cape Town says it is pleased with the return of the book, French Cinema by Roy Armes to the library during the library’s fine free week. The book covers the history of the French film industry, and was originally due for return in March 2001. Mayoral committee member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham says the person discovered the book while sorting through stored belongings and decided to return it:

Stay tuned for more news………….