News 07:00

BULLETIN 4 April 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Paul Mashatile says the church is central to the government’s renewal
# Minister Motsoaledi says everything possible was done to save one of the conjoined twins
# And, Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel has destroyed 70-percent of Iran’s steel production capacity

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says South Africa’s freedom was secured by leaders who understood that renewal requires courage and selflessness. He addressed the Amandla Ngawethu Good Friday Service hosted by the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg. Mashatile emphasised that the church is central to this renewal, as a moral compass, a source of healing, and a defender of the vulnerable. He added that the government values the partnership with the church that is constructive and principled:

# The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group warns of worsening cost-of-living crisis. The Competition Commission is monitoring potential price hikes amid intensifying affordability pressures nationwide. Programme manager Mervyn Abrahams says low-income households are under severe strain, with about 60-percent of the minimum wage spent on transport and electricity. He told SABC News that rising fuel costs from this month threaten further increases in the cost of food and transport.

# Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi says everything medically possible was done to try and save one of the twins, who were born conjoined and underwent an operation to separate them at the Mankweng Tertiary Hospital in Limpopo. The twins were born earlier this year and were joined at the abdomen, sharing vital organs. The operation marked the first time a rural hospital has successfully performed such a complex procedure. Motsoaledi says the baby had multiple organ failure:

# The ANC Youth League in Gauteng has rejected the recent provincial cabinet reshuffle, saying it fails to advance youth representation. The League chairperson, Ntsako Magobe, argues that young people, who make up over 60-percent of the province’s population, remain excluded from decision-making. It has called for greater generational renewal and the inclusion of young leaders in executive roles. He warns that continued marginalisation weakens governance and alienates the country’s youth.

# Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims that Israeli strikes have destroyed approximately 70-percent of Iran’s steel production capacity. Tehran’s two largest steel plants have been forced out of action by several waves of US and Israeli air attacks. Netanyahu says destroying Iran’s steel production is a tremendous achievement that deprives the Revolutionary Guards of both financial resources and the ability to produce many weapons. He adds that between the Israeli Defence Force and the United States military, they will jointly continue to crush Iran.

# And rugby: The Sharks have bowed out of the Challenge Cup in the round of 16 after going down 29-12 to Connacht in Galway, Ireland. The Durban kept the scoreboard ticking in the first half through fly-half Jean Smith, who slotted four penalties to lead 12-7. However, the Irish side produced a powerhouse second-half, overturned a five-point deficit, and scored points to secure the victory. The homeside scored four tries in total. Connacht will now meet Montpellier or Perpignan in their quarterfinal showdown next weekend.

Stay tuned for more news………….