News 15:00

BULLETIN 23 April 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa and the acting Police minister will address the nation as the police crisis deepens
# Prince Harry arrives in Kyiv in a show of support for Ukraine
# And cricket: Mitchell Starc is cleared for IPL return following injuries

# President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to address the nation this afternoon amid ongoing turmoil within the South African Police Service. He will be joined by acting Police minister Firoz Cachalia. The address follows national police commissioner Fannie Masemola’s recent appearance in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, where he faces four counts related to alleged violations of the Public Finance Management Act. The charges are linked to a controversial 360-million-rand tender awarded to alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

# South African Communist Party general secretary, Solly Mapaila, has urged members to remain firm against ultimatums from its alliance partner, the ANC. Briefing the media today, Mapaila says the SACP stands by its independence and principles amid rising tensions over plans to contest the local government elections independently. He warned against internal pressure being turned into disciplinary action, calling for solidarity and protection of the party’s agenda:

# Union federation Cosatu remains deeply concerned and alarmed by the escalating debt owed by municipalities to Eskom. The power utility said in March total municipal debt owed to it exceeded 110-billion-rand, and could reach 200-billion-rand by 2028. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says the massive smart meter push for municipalities heavily indebted to Eskom could be the key to dealing with this ticking time bomb:

Moving abroad:

# Britain’s Prince Harry made an unannounced visit to the Ukrainian capital of ​Kyiv in a show ‌of support for the country in its fifth year of war with Russia. He is set to attend ​a security conference during the two-day trip. Harry said Ukraine is a country bravely and successfully defending ‌Europe’s ⁠eastern flank. He is expected to ​visit ⁠the de-mining HALO Trust charity and spend time with ​Ukrainian ⁠participants of his Invictus Games Foundation, which helps wounded veterans recover through sport.

# Cricket: Australian fast bowler, Mitchell Starc, has been cleared to play in the Indian Premier League after overcoming shoulder and elbow injuries. The 36-year-old was out of action since late January, having played in the 4-1 Ashes victory over England before playing in the Big Bash. Starc could be available for Delhi Capitals’ match against Rajasthan Royals next Friday. His return comes as his compatriot Pat Cummins, who had a back stress issue, will play his first game of the IPL season for Sunrisers Hyderabad this weekend.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-55-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-33-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-33-cents and Bitcoin trades at 77-thousand-510-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-698-dollars-10-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 97-dollars-83-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….