News 08:00

BULLETIN 29 April 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says the independence of the judiciary must be respected
# The Constitutional Court will hear the IEC’s appeal over Zuma’s candidacy next week
# And Russia is exploiting a window of opportunity in Ukraine before the US military aid arrives

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says he respects the Electoral Court ruling on former president Jacob Zuma’s candidacy. The court ruled that Zuma qualifies to be appointed to the National Assembly despite his 15-month prison term for contempt of court. The Electoral Commission is appealing this ruling, arguing that Zuma’s prison sentence disqualifies him from serving as a member of Parliament. Speaking after delivering his Siyanqoba ANC rally message in the Free State yesterday, Ramaphosa says he cannot second-guess the country’s judges:

The Constitutional Court will meanwhile hear the Electoral Commission’s challenge over Zuma’s eligibility on the tenth of next month. The IEC is appealing an Electoral Court ruling, which found Zuma was eligible to stand as a candidate as he did not have the opportunity to appeal his sentence. The court said the IEC erred by removing Zuma from the ballot paper. Zuma and the MK Party have until tomorrow to file papers opposing the IEC’s appeal.

# RISE Mzansi Gauteng says it is working towards a plan to fight against hunger in the province. About 35-percent of the population in the province experiences food insecurity. The party recently donated vaccinations and seedlings to a food garden in Orange Farm. RISE Mzansi’s, Tebogo Moalusi, says the prices of an essential basket of food items need to be regulated, to ensure affordability to meet all people’s basic nutritional needs:

# The Institute for the Study of War says Russian forces will likely make more significant tactical gains in the coming weeks as Ukraine waits for US military aid to arrive. This comes as president Vladimir Putin’s forces have made further gains in at least three locations along the eastern front in Ukraine. The institute says Russian forces appear to be intensifying efforts to destabilise Ukrainian defences and gain ground. Last week, US president Joe Biden signed into law the 1.81-trillion-rand foreign aid package to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

# Soccer: Reigning champions Manchester City have moved back to within a point of Premier League leaders Arsenal following their two-nil victory against Nottingham Forest. Goals from Josko Gvardiol and Erling Haaland ensured victory for City who are chasing a record fourth consecutive title. Meanwhile, Arsenal survived a second-half scare in the north London derby as they held on for a three-two victory against Tottenham Hotspur. Gunners’ manager, Mikel Arteta, says he is happy with his team’s fighting spirit:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-78-cents and the euro at 20-rand-13-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-52-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-632-dollars-88-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-327-dollars-15-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 87-dollars-47-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….