News 17:00

BULLETIN 10 April 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC launches a new mayoral candidate selection process
# RISE Mzanzi welcomes a pledge of over 200-billion-rand at the Gauteng Investment Conference
# And, SA Rugby is seeing encouraging early outcomes on the lowered tackle-height laws

# ANC has officially launched its mayoral candidate selection process, introducing a centralised, competency-based system for identifying leadership in key municipalities. Secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says the new approach aims to strengthen governance, discipline and consistency across provinces. The process includes identifying and headhunting qualified candidates from public representatives, professionals and community leaders. He emphasised that there will be open public submissions for proposed mayoral candidates to rebuild public confidence:

# RISE Mzansi has commended its national chairperson and Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture and Rural Development, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, following the success of the Gauteng Investment Conference. The party says over 200-billion-rand in pledges signals renewed investor confidence and potential for job creation. RISE Mzansi’s Makashule Gana adds the focus must now shift to implementation, and believes strong leadership and partnerships will help position Gauteng as a leading economic hub:

# The N3 near the Harrismith North Interchange in the Free State has been reopened to traffic after an earlier obstruction involving multiple trucks. Authorities say all lanes in both directions are now clear, but motorists should expect ongoing congestion as traffic backlogs are cleared. N3 Toll Concession chief operating official Thania Dhoogra has urged road users to approach the area with caution and remain patient. The Road Traffic Management Corporation says delays may continue for several hours while normal traffic flow is restored.

# Tanzanian musician Sefu Shabani, popularly known as Matonya, has been arrested and charged with rape in Kenya.  The 43-year-old denied the charge when he appeared in court in Mombasa. According to Kenya’s Director of Public Prosecutions he was granted bail and ordered to surrender his Tanzanian passport. The award-winning artist is beloved for his “bongo flava” hits. He rose to prominence about 15 years ago and still performs across East Africa. The alleged sexual assault took place at an apartment in the beach resort of Nyali on Tuesday.

# Rugby: SA Rugby says there are encouraging early outcomes locally following the introduction of the lowered tackle-height laws. Seventy-four-percent of head injuries derive from the tackle area. SA Rugby’s Medical General Manager, Clint Readhead, says initial data indicates a positive shift in reducing the severity and long-term impact of tackle-related catastrophic head, neck and spine injuries. He says most notably, there has been a reduction in permanent or life-altering injuries among both tacklers and ball carriers.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-40-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-22-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-10-cents and Bitcoin trades at 72-thousand-217-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-772-dollars-40-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 92-dollars-92-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….