News 08:00

BULLETIN 22 March 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa’s Constitution is more than the supreme law of the land
# Donald Trump issues an ultimatum to Iran, while 75 are injured in a rocket attack on cities in the south of Israel
# And rugby: The Sharks demolish Munster, and the Lions bury Edinburgh

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says signing the Constitution into law 30 years ago was the most significant act of South Africa’s democratic era. Ramaphosa was speaking during the Human Rights Day commemoration in Kimberley, in the Northern Cape. He says it was a clear moral commitment to build a society rooted in equality, freedom and human dignity. The president says South Africa’s Constitution is more than the supreme law of the land:

# # Transport minister Barbara Creecy has appealed to travellers to take personal accountability when using the roads during the upcoming holidays. Creecy says the Easter holidays are marked by an increase in traffic on major corridors as travellers embark on various religious and holiday destinations. She says over 80-percent of road crashes are the direct result of human behaviour. Creecy says this year there will be a targeted focus on preventing pedestrians from crossing and walking on highways:

# The DA has welcomes the decision by the Competition Commission of South Africa to refer its findings of price fixing in the number plate industry to the Competition Tribunal for a final order. The party says the firms involved, which manufacture blank number plates, are alleged to have set prices and trading conditions in the industry since June 2023. The DA’s Mlondi Mdluli says this pushes prices higher for South Africans, as well as undermining competition and stopping new businesses from emerging in the number plate industry.

# Tshwane Metro Police deputy commissioner, Umashi Dlamini has been placed on suspension after serious allegations leveled against him at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. Police spokesperson Isaac Mahamba says Dhlamini was responsible for Support and Administration within the Metro Police. He says deputy commissioner Dhlamini’s name was mentioned in proceedings before the Madlanga Commission, where allegations relating to tender irregularities were raised:

# The American president Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. In a Truth Social post, he warned if Iran doesn’t comply the US will obliterate their various power plants. Iran’s threat to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has effectively shut down the shipping lane, sending oil prices soaring. Israel’s ambulance service meanwhile said 75 people were injured with ten in a serious condition, after Iranian attacks on the cities of Arad and Dimona in the south of Israel. Israel’s air defences failed to stop the rockets.

# And finally some rugby:  Two South African teams played United Rugby Championship matches on Saturday. In Durban the Sharks set up a comprehensive 45-0 bonus point win over Munster. The Sharks’ seven tries came from Phepsi Buthelezi, Luan Gilliomee, Phatu Ganyane, Emile van Heerden, Le Roux Malan and Makazole Mapimpi who went over twice. And at their Ellis Park home ground the Lions played some dazzling rugby that buried Edinburgh 54-17. Ruan Venter, Franke Horn, Darrien Landsberg, Morne van den Bergh, Bronson Mills, and Haashim Pead each scored a try while Angelo Davids contributed two.

Stay tuned for more news………….