News 11:00
BULLETIN 6 April 11 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# An investigation uncovers flawed structural engineering in the George building collapse
# Rugby: A blow for the Stormers as Fouche gets a 4-game ban for a red card against Ulster
# And: Helen Zille makes history as the first politician to be roasted in a Showmax comedy special
# Human Settlements minister Thembi Simelane has revealed that the five-story building that collapsed in George in May 2024 was approved as a single-story structure. The Parliament’s Portfolio Committee for Human Settlement heard that the developer did not disclose plans to construct a multi-story building, leading to regulatory oversights. In addition, the National Home Builders Registration Council failed to ensure all documentations were completed before construction began:
# The National Home Builders Registration Council has commenced disciplinary proceedings against its suspended CEO, Songezo Booi, in connection with the May 2024 building collapse in George. Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements was informed that Booi failed to act promptly in suspending implicated officials during the investigation. Additionally, three council officials are facing disciplinary action, with two potentially facing criminal charges for their roles in the incident. The collapse was attributed to regulatory lapses, including incomplete documentation and inadequate oversight during the construction process.
# An artist whose official portrait of Donald Trump was publicly criticised by the president said her business is now in danger of not recovering. The Republican leader made headlines at the end of last month when he said the portrait hanging in Colorado’s State Capitol had been purposefully distorted. Sarah Boardman’s collection of official portraits also includes one of former president George W Bush, but Trump said she must have lost her talent as she got older. She told Sky News she felt her intentions, integrity, and abilities had been questioned by Trump.
# Rugby: Stormers prop Neethling Fouche has been given a four-game ban following a red card in last weekend’s United Rugby Championship 38-34 loss again Ulster. Fouche was sent off by Italian referee Andrea Piardi for head-on-head contact while trying to tackle Ben Carson. A URC disciplinary committee ruled the incident indeed met the red card threshold. The suspension was reduced to four games due to Fouche’s good record, remorse and exemplary conduct before and during the hearing. He will now miss the Stormer’s home URC games against Connacht, Benneton, Dragons and Cardiff.
# And finally: DA federal chairperson Helen Zille, will become the first politician to headline a Showmax and Laugh Africa Roast. Creative director, Stuart Taylor, commented on her significant political stature and her forthright views. Zille welcomed the roast, saying that people roast her behind her back, so why not let them do it to her face. She expressed to eNCA her readiness for the upcoming event:
Stay tuned for more news………….