News 13:00

BULLETIN 18 April 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Madlanga commission’s task team arrests a senior Ekurhuleni municipal official
# Minister Nzimande says South Africa and Africa continue to experience a massive intellectual property leakage
# And Keir Starmer says several countries will help protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz

# The Madlanga commission’s task team has arrested a 50-year-old senior municipal official in the City of Ekurhuleni for fraud, corruption and defeating and obstructing the ends of justice. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says the official was arrested at his home in Gauteng. She says this emanates from an ongoing investigation into corruption within the Ekurhuleni Metro Police:

# Agricultural organisation TLU SA has welcomed the decision by Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen to appoint 27 external technical advisors. They will help evaluate technical data to ensure all products meet safety and quality standards as required by the Registrar of the Fertilisers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act. Spokesperson Bennie van Zyl says the appointments were long overdue:

# Science, Technology, and Innovation minister Blade Nzimande has urged the National Intellectual Property Management Office to strengthen its intellectual property protection work because South Africa and Africa continue to experience massive intellectual property leakages. South Africa recorded an unprecedented surge in data breaches, with incidents increasing by 60-percent in the first half of last year. The department’s spokesperson, Veli Mbele, says the office must forge strategic partnerships to address the crisis:

# South Africa’s largest domestic airline, FlySafair, was forced to cut several routes due to soaring jet fuel costs and lower passenger demand. It continues to review its network. The airline’s chief marketing official, Kirby Gordon, says they don’t anticipate major network cuts at present, but cannot afford to operate unprofitable routes. News24 reports that although global oil prices have eased a bit this week, the price of jet fuel is still nearly double from before the start of the Middle Eastern conflict.  

Meanwhile, British prime minister Keir Starmer says over a dozen countries are willing to participate in an international mission to protect shipping through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz when conditions permit. This follows Iran’s announcement that the route was reopened following a ceasefire accord ​between Israel and Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. Reuters reports US president Donald Trump replied he doesn’t need allies’ help to secure the strait, ordering them to stay away. The route carries 20-percent of the world’s oil and gas reserves.

# And soccer: The Premiership title race intensifies this weekend as Mamelodi Sundowns, on 56 points, look to maintain their one-point lead over Orlando Pirates. The Buccaneers host AmaZulu FC at Orlando Stadium today, while third-placed Kaizer Chiefs, with 45 points, aim to extend their five-match winning streak in their away match against Polokwane City at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. Other key fixtures include Magesi FC fighting relegation against Durban City and TS Galaxy hosting Richards Bay tomorrow.

Stay tuned for more news………….