News 08:00
BULLETIN 15 March 8 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# The Brenthurst Foundation says Zuma’s resurgence poses a challenge to the ANC
# ActionSA implores Parliament to appoint a qualified and competent Deputy Public Protector
# And, Trump’s motion to dismiss the classified documents case is rejected
# The blame for former president Jacob Zuma’s resurgence and the challenge it poses to the ANC must fall squarely on the shoulders of president Cyril Ramaphosa, who has failed to deal with corruption in the party. This is according to the Brenthurst Foundation. The foundation’s recent survey showed that 80-percent of respondents believed the country was heading in the wrong direction. Twenty-seven-percent viewed corruption as a major problem. The foundation’s Greg Mills, says the failure to deal with Zuma presents a dramatic new dynamic in South African politics.
# ActionSA is calling on Parliament’s Justice and Correctional Services committee to not put forward narrow party-political interests as it finds a suitable candidate for the vacant position of Deputy Public Protector. The position became vacant last year after Kholeka Gcaleka was interviewed and appointed as the new Public Protector. The committee interviewed seven candidates on Wednesday and will deliberate next week. ActionSA’s, Julie Seton, says the Public Protector’s office needs to be adequately capacitated with the best personnel:
# KwaZulu-Natal Police commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, says police resources in eThekwini were stretched to the limit as a result of the two-week violent strike by municipal workers. The workers affiliated with the South African Municipal Workers Union downed tools demanding high wages. The strike which has now ended resulted in service delivery being impacted and over 80 workers dismissed. Police spokesperson, Jay Naicker, says 25 suspects have been arrested and released on bail following their court appearances:
# A Florida judge has rejected one of former US president Donald Trump’s motions to dismiss his handling of classified documents case. His attorneys argued the criminal charges under the Espionage Act were unclear. Trump has long claimed that he had a right to hold onto the records, because of the federal government classification authority he held while he was president. He has pleaded not guilty to 40 criminal charges in the matter. Judge Aileen Cannon said ruling in favour of Trump would have been an extraordinary step.
# Soccer: Liverpool eased into the Europa League quarterfinals after thrashing Sparta Prague six-one to win the tie eleven-two on aggregate. Jurgen Klopp’s side, who were already leading five-one after the first leg, were ruthless again in front of goal in the second leg to record their biggest aggregate win in a European competition for over four decades. Meanwhile, Aston Villa defeated Ajax to make the quarterfinals for the first time since 1998. Manager Unai Emery was pleased with the performance:
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-76-cents and the euro at 20-rand-41-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-90-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-922-dollars-97-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-162-dollars-63-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-17-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….