News 15:00

BULLETIN 23 April 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Electoral Commission’s CEO outlines a roadmap to the 2026 local government elections
# A forum says the so-called assassination attempt on deputy president Paul Mashatile raises a lot of questions
# And tennis: Novak Djokovic admits his motivation is not the same without Rafa and Roger

# Electoral Commission CEO, Sy Mamabolo says preparations for next year’s local government elections will centre on reviewing ward boundaries, enhancing the voters’ roll, and introducing new technologies to streamline operations. These steps aim to boost efficiency and ensure greater electoral integrity. Mamabolo told the media the roadmap, presented as part of the commission’s strategic plan, also includes lessons from past elections and stronger collaboration with political stakeholders:

# Activists and Citizens Forum says the story of an attempted assassination on deputy president Paul Mashatile sounds like a cooked-up story from within ANC factions. The forum’s spokesperson, Dennis Bloem, says they can just imagine if it was true, the country could have been turned upside down to look for those who are suspects of this so-called assassination attempt:

# The DA in Gauteng is demanding a professional and swift investigation into the possibility of arson being behind the two fires at the Tembisa Hospital in Ekurhuleni. This follows the second fire at the hospital today, which occurred after the fire that destroyed the Accident and Emergency section over the weekend. The DA’s Jack Bloom says surely, these incidents are suspicious:

# Trade and Industry minister Parks Tau has announced a new working group with industry stakeholders to strengthen South Africa’s ferrochrome sector. Ferrochrome, essential for producing eco-friendly stainless steel, is key to the green economy. Tau emphasised the need for South Africa to adapt to global shifts, highlighting green hydrogen and green ammonia as transformative opportunities for economic growth. As the largest producer of titanium-bearing stainless steel outside China and Europe, the minister emphasised that South Africa aims to stay globally competitive.

# Tennis: Twenty-four-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic says his desire and passion remain, although his motivation isn’t the same without his legendary rivals – Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland. The 38-year-old Serbian hasn’t won a single tournament so far this season, but says he still wants to compete for the biggest prizes. Djokovic plays in the Madrid Open in Spain from this week with the hope to build momentum for the French Open, starting in Paris on the 25th of next month.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-55-cents and the euro at 21-rand-16-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-68-cents and Bitcoin trades at 93-thousand-697-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-335-dollars-60-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-4-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….