News 13:00

BULLETIN 20 April 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Andrew Whitfield and Glynnis Breytenbach are potential frontrunners to lead the DA in Parliament
# Minister Gwarube extends the public comment period on the draft History curriculum
# And rugby: The Blitzboks’ coach praises the players’ mentality after their victory in Hong Kong

# Andrew Whitfield and Glynnis Breytenbach are reportedly potential frontrunners to become the DA’s parliamentary caucus leader. Newly-elected party leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has decided to remain Cape Town’s mayor. The DA didn’t have to elect a separate parliamentary leader since Helen Zille was party leader and served as the Mother City’s mayor and then Western Cape premier. The DA’s 99 members from both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces are allowed to nominate potential candidates to lead the parliamentary caucus.

# Legal counsel for Gauteng police’s organised crime unit sergeant Fanni Nkosi says bail is a constitutional right. Nkosi faces charges including theft, possession of unlicensed ammunition and grenades, and defeating the ends of justice. Advocate Siza Dlali told the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court there should be no assumed verdict amid bail application processes. He stresses bail hearings are not trials, urging the court to focus on constitutional rights:

# Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, has extended by 30 days the public comment period on the draft History curriculum and assessment policy statements for Grades 4 to 12 due to public interest. The curriculum overhaul began with the work of the History ministerial task team, originally appointed by former minister Angie Motshekga in 2015. Spokesperson Terrence Khala says the public interest demonstrates there are no preconceived outcomes to the process:

# Mop-up operations are underway across several areas in the Western Cape following the weekend’s flooding. Emergency and municipal teams are clearing debris, assessing damage, and providing basic relief to affected residents. Gift of the Givers spokesperson Ali Sablay says the focus is on restoring access, sanitation, and essential services while monitoring further weather risks. He says communities in low-lying and high-risk areas have been hardest hit, with displaced residents of informal settlements receiving temporary assistance as recovery efforts continue.

# Rugby: Blitzboks coach Philip Snyman praised his players’ mentality after they clinched the Hong Kong Sevens title for the first time in the tournament’s 50-year history. The Boks were on the brink of elimination in the quarterfinals after an unimpressive group stage, but scored two tries in the final minute against Kenya to reach the penultimate round. This was followed by impressive victories over the All Blacks and Argentina to be crowned champions. Snyman says there is a massive feeling of pride and gratitude in the group.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-39-cents and the euro at 19-rand-28-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-13-cents and Bitcoin trades at 75-thousand-107-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-793-dollars-94-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 91-dollars-46-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….