News 11:00

BULLETIN 18 May 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Controversial Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso departs SA amid legal turmoil
# Mashatile to lead SA delegation to France for Investment Conference
# And, athletics: Simbine continues his unbeaten run

# Controversial Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso is voluntarily leaving South Africa today, from OR Tambo International Airport. This follows his release from custody pending an appeal against his classification as a prohibited person by Home Affairs. Omotoso and two co-accused were recently acquitted of 32 charges, including human trafficking and rape, after an eight-year trial. The National Prosecuting Authority was considering an appeal, citing prosecutorial shortcomings during the case. Omotoso, leader of the Jesus Dominion International Church, had challenged his prohibited person status in court.

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile will lead a delegation to France from tomorrow to Saturday for the South Africa-France Investment Conference. The event aims to boost bilateral ties and attract foreign direct investment. Held under the theme SA-France: A Partnership for Mutual Prosperity, it will focus on key sectors like energy, tourism, and Information and Communication Technology. Mashatile will also meet French prime minister Francois Bayrou.

# South Africans for Constitutional Reform’s Princy Mthombeni says 30 years after the adoption of the country’s constitution, citizens are demanding more than symbolic promises. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Mthombeni advocates for changes to the preamble, suggesting it should state that South Africa belongs to its own citizens, not everyone who lives in it. She emphasises the need for a constitution to addresses national development issues:

# Atletics: Akani Simbine continued his unbeaten run over 100m at the Atlanta City Games yesterday with a commanding win with 9.86-seconds over Udodi Onwuzurike of Nigeria who came in at 10.05. Simbine who comes from winning gold in the 4×100 metres at the World Relays in Guangzhou, China last weekend, has also won the first three 100 metre races of his season, one in Botswana and two in Diamond League events in China. Wayde van Niekerk, who hasn’t competed since the Paris Olympics last year, posted a respectable 20.03 over the 200m and finished third.

# Rugby: The Pumas scored a dramatic 31-29 win over the Boland Kavaliers at Mbombela Stadium over the weekend, to secure a home final for the 2025 SA Cup next weekend. The Pumas were reduced to 12 men following three yellow cards, but they managed the win flyhalf Danrich Visagie scoring a late penalty. They will face defending champions Griquas after the men from Kimberley managed to edge the Cheetahs 41-38 in their drama-filled semi-final yesterday afternoon in Kimberley.

# And lastly, Operation Smile, in partnership with Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital and supported by Life Healthcare, is conducting a weekend surgical programme to perform cleft lip and palate surgeries on 40 children. Healthcare CEO Peter Wharton-Hood told Newzroom Afrika that the programme is an example of public-private partnership. He says that the initiative, part of National Smile Month, trains surgical trainees to reduce the surgery backlog:

Stay tuned for more news………….