News 15:00
BULLETIN 18 March 3 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# MEC Reagan Allen welcomes the arrest of a fourth person in the Joslin Smith case
# Chief Justice Raymond Zondo affirms the judiciary’s role in human rights promotion
# And cycling: Britain’s most successful female Olympian retires
# Western Cape MEC of Community Safety and Police Oversight, Reagan Allen, has expressed satisfaction with the arrest of 32-year-old Lourentia Lombaard in connection with the disappearance of six-year-old Joslin Smith. Lombaard appeared at the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court, facing charges of kidnapping and human trafficking. Allen has urged the four accused, including Joslin’s mother, Kelly, to disclose Joslin’s whereabouts after she disappeared four weeks ago:
# Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has emphasised the judiciary’s pivotal role in defending human rights, at the State of Human Rights Conference. He highlighted the Constitution as a symbol of commitment to human rights, and stressed the need for adequate resources to ensure swift justice delivery. Zondo spoke during the event hosted by the Department of Justice under the theme Three Decades of Respect for and Promotion of Human Rights:
# The Automobile Association has forecasted a mixed fuel outlook next month, with petrol prices expected to increase slightly while diesel and illuminating paraffin prices are set to decrease. The decrease in diesel and paraffin prices is particularly good news for sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and retailing, where diesel is a significant input cost. The AA attributes these price changes to a downward trend in the rand and US dollar exchange rate and international product prices. The association offers free holiday vehicle checks until 2 April for those planning road trips.
# Cycling: Britain’s most successful female Olympian, Laura Kenney, has announced her retirement four months before the Games in Paris. She has won five Olympic gold medals as well as seven World Championship titles. The 31-year-old says she always knew she would realise when the time has come to call it quits, and now was the time. Kelley is married to former cyclist Jason Kenney, who is the most decorated British Olympian. She says it became increasingly difficult to leave their two young children at home.
# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-82-cents and the euro at 20-rand-53-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-99-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-327-dollars-93-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-160-dollars-25-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-61-cents a barrel.
# And finally: The South African National Blood Service says with the Easter long weekend approaching, it is facing a shortage of bloodstock. There are 4.4 days left of stock for blood type B-plus, while blood type O-plus is at a mere 3.5 days. The blood service maintains a bloodstock level of at least five days for each blood group, to ensure sustained availability for patients in need. It adds it will extend its operating hours and enhanced collection initiative ahead of the upcoming school and Easter holidays.
Stay tuned for more news………….