News 13:00

BULLETIN 2 April 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA demands the dismissal of ten sex offenders who are still teaching in Gauteng schools
# Cricket: New Zealand seals an ODI series win against Pakistan
# And the Storms River makes the world’s most beautiful place list in TimeOut

# The DA in Gauteng is demanding the immediate dismissal of ten teachers, who are convicted sexual offenders but are still working with children at schools. This was revealed by Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, in reply to the party’s questions in the legislature. The DA’s Michael Waters says Chiloane revealed that a total of 40 teachers had been convicted in a court of law for sexual offences over the past three years:

Meanwhile, the UDM has expressed disappointment over the Basic Education Department’s failure to meet its 31 March deadline to eradicate pit latrines in schools. Despite claims that 93-percent of pit latrines have been removed, many schools remain without proper sanitation. The UDM’s Yongama Zigebe says the party is demanding a transparent audit and time-bound action plan to address this crisis affecting thousands of learners:

# The Department of Water and Sanitation has opened a third sluice gate at the Vaal Dam to increase water outflows and manage inflows. The dam’s current water level is at 107.3-percent. The department’s spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa, says the increased outflow is expected to reach the Bloemhof Dam in three to four days and will result in water levels rising at the dam, which will be managed by gradually increasing outflows from the dam:

# Cricket: New Zealand thrashed Pakistan by 84 runs in the second one-day international in Hamilton to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Mitchell Hay scored an unbeaten 99 off 78 balls to guide the Black Caps to 292 for eight in their allotted 50 overs. Ben Sears then took five wickets on his ODI debut as Pakistan was bowled out for 208 in their 42nd over. The final match will be played at Mount Maunganui on Friday.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-58-cents and the euro at 20-rand-7-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-2-cents and Bitcoin trades at 85-thousand-145-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-129-dollars-97-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-18-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Komodo National Park in Indonesia has been ranked as the world’s most beautiful place by travellers surveyed by TimeOut. The UNESCO World Heritage Site offers one of the most unique sights in the world, namely three giant bays of white, black, and pink sand. Second is Victoria Falls, known to be the world’s largest waterfall, straddling the borders of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Punakha Valley in Bhutan is third. South Africa’s Storms River in the Eastern Cape is ranked 21st on the list.

Stay tuned for more news………….