News 14:00

BULLETIN 5 March 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Macpherson orders an inquiry into the Ormonde building collapse
# The learner transport driver in the deadly Vanderbijlpark crash is struggling emotionally and shows remorse
# And motorsport: Minister McKenzie will meet with F1 officials as instability in the Middle East could impact races

# Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has directed the Council for the Built Environment to lead a technical, governance, and regulatory investigation into Monday’s collapse of a building in Ormonde in the south of Johannesburg which claimed nine lives. The enquiry will review structural design, construction methods, regulatory compliance, and professional oversight. The investigation is scheduled over eight weeks, and the findings aim to enhance building safety, strengthen enforcement, and restore public confidence in South Africa’s built environment systems.

# The defence team of 22-year-old learner transport driver Ayanda Dludla, accused of causing the deaths of 14 learners in Vanderbijlpark in an accident in January, says his client is struggling emotionally and shows remorse. Dludla faces 14 counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and additional charges including driving without a valid Professional Driving Permit and operating an unlicensed vehicle. Dludla’s lawyers say treatment options inside prison are being considered for him. The matter will return to court on 22 April.

# South Africa is seeking the local manufacturing of Gilead Sciences’ HIV prevention drug, Lenacapavir. It is a long-acting antiretroviral injection administered twice a year. Clinical trials have demonstrated its near-total efficacy in preventing HIV infection when used correctly every six months. Government is working with Unitaid and the United States Pharmacopoeia to identify a suitable local producer. If approved, the licence could strengthen Africa’s pharmaceutical capacity as the continent remains the epicentre of the global HIV pandemic.

# Canadian prime minister Mark Carney says with the post-war global architecture breaking down from consecutive crises, Canada and Australia should work together as strategic cousins. He was given a warm welcome by his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, in Canberra during the first parliamentary address by a Canadian prime minister in almost 20 years. Carney told the Australian Parliament they should cooperate further to boost sovereign capabilities:

# Motorsport: Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, says financial guarantees have been secured as South Africa continues the process of seeking to join the Formula One calendar. His department has secured 2.1-million-rand in government guarantee while sponsorship money, mostly from the private sector, so far amounts to 1.7-billion-rand. McKenzie says South Africa could get a backdoor entry into the F1 calendar due to the conflict in the Middle East:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-46-cents and the euro at 19-rand-13-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-98-cents and Bitcoin trades at 72-thousand-950-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-156-dollars-27-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-39-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….