News 09:00

BULLETIN 2 May 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The GOOD Party says the new inquiry into TRC cases must reaffirm political accountability
# Minister Kubayi condemns the murder of a young Eastern Cape prosecutor
# And boxing, SA’s Kevin Lerena successfully defends WBC Bridgerweight title

# The GOOD Party says the National Prosecuting Authority must proceed with urgency to prosecute the Truth and Reconciliation Commission-recommended cases it still can. President Cyril Ramaphosa will set up a judicial commission of inquiry to establish whether attempts were made to prevent the investigation or prosecution of apartheid-era crimes, referred by the TRC to the National Prosecuting Authority. GOOD’s secretary general, Brett Herron, says the TRC referred more than 400 cases to the NPA:

# Newly appointed Trade, Industry and Competition director-general, Simphiwe Hamilton, says they are acutely aware of the potential for corruption in the proposed 100-billion-rand Transformation Fund. The government believes the fund will help improve the effectiveness of broad-based black economic empowerment spending. Hamilton says the structuring around the fund will mitigate against any possibility of malfeasance. He adds that besides reporting to the BBBEE Commission, the Transformation Fund would also undertake to make regular reports to Parliament to improve transparency.

# Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has condemned the senseless murder of young prosecutor in the Eastern Cape, Elona Sombulula. The 30-year-old was gunned down earlier this week in Ngcobo. Kubayi’s spokesperson, Terrence Manase, says the minister stands in solidarity with the National Prosecuting Authority and all prosecutors, who continue to serve the public with integrity and courage under often difficult and dangerous conditions:

# The United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, has condemned Israel’s decision to halt humanitarian assistance as a cruel collective punishment of the Palestinian population. No food, water or medical supplies have been allowed to enter the Gaza Strip since March 2nd. This prolonged humanitarian blockade comes as Israeli forces continue bombarding the territory, killing at least 30 Palestinians on Wednesday alone. Fletcher says aid, and the civilian lives it saves, should never be a bargaining chip.

# Boxing: South Africa’s Kevin Lerena has retained his World Boxing Council Bridgerweight title by beating Ukraine’s Serhiy Radchenko in the third of 12 rounds at the BetSun Arena in Pretoria. This is the first time a WBC world title has been defended on South African soil. The bridgerweight class is between the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions to accommodate small heavyweight boxers. Lerena says he is delighted at the win and making history on home soil:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-46-cents and the euro at 20-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-57-cents and Bitcoin trades at 97-thousand-217-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-254-dollars-86-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-40-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….