News 07:00
BULLETIN 26 March 7 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Minister Pandor welcomes the UN Security Council’s resolution on a ceasefire in Gaza
# The EFF objects to the sanctions for MPs for the disruption of president Ramaphosa’s speech
# And a security guard is sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for a murder during the July 2021 riots
# Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, has welcomed the United Nations Security Council passing a resolution, which calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for the month of Ramadan. The resolution also demands the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and the urgent need to expand the flow of aid into Gaza. Fourteen members of the 15-strong council voted yes to the resolution while the US abstained. Pandor says South Africa has long called for a ceasefire:
Meanwhile, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cancelled a scheduled trip to the US by two of his top advisers. This comes after the US did not veto the United Nations Security Council vote. Netanyahu accused America of harming Israel’s war effort and attempts to free hostages by its decision not to use a veto to block the vote. The White House says the decision to abstain from the vote does not represent a shift in policy.
# The EFF has vowed to continue its fight against what it regards as unjust sanctions imposed by Parliament on nine of its members for disrupting president Cyril Ramaphosa’s budget speech two years ago. Parliament’s Powers and Privileges Committee recently adopted a report recommending sanctions, including fines equivalent to a month’s salary and allowances, for MPs involved in the disruption. EFF spokesperson Sinawo Tambo and others have also been ordered to apologise to Ramaphosa. The report is set to be presented to the House for adoption today.
# German software giant SAP has agreed to pay the Special Investigating Unit 500-million-rand within seven days over corrupt contracts at Eskom. The SIU says the settlement stems from two Eskom contracts worth around 1.1-billion-rand awarded to SAP between 2013 and 2016. The Special Tribunal declared the contracts constitutionally invalid, as an investigation found that the contracts were entered illegally. The SIU says the settlement agreement does not absolve SAP or any implicated party from possible prosecution.
# The Scottburgh High Court has sentenced Joel Fenton Pillay to 20 years imprisonment for the murder he committed during the July 2021 unrest in parts of KwaZulu-Natal. The 38-year-old former security officer shot Lindani Mthethwa while he was walking towards the bus station in Verulam, before fleeing the scene. National Prosecuting Authority’s regional spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, says Pillay was found guilty of premeditated murder:
# Tennis: World number two Carlos Alcaraz is through to the round of 16 of the Miami Open as he continues his bid to complete the coveted Sunshine Double. The Spaniard defeated France’s Gael Monfils, 6-2, 6-4. Germany’s Alexander Zverev beat American Christopher Eubanks, 7-6, 6-3. In the women’s draw, American world number three Coco Gauff was stunned by France’s Caroline Garcia with a, 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 victory. Garcia says she is happy with her performance:
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-86-cents and the euro at 20-rand-45-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-85-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-254-dollar-43-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-171-dollar-41-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 86-dollar-35-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….