News 16:00
BULLETIN 18 March 4 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# More resources are needed for Chapter 9 institutions to protect the rights of South Africans
# MEC Reagan Allen welcomes the arrest of a fourth suspect in the Joslin Smith case
# And rugby: Tickets go on sale for the British and Irish Lions’ tour of Australia in 2025
# Justice minister Ronald Lamola believes more resources are needed for Chapter 9 institutions to protect the rights of South Africans. The minister was speaking in the backdrop of the human rights conference reflecting on South Africa’s 30 years of democracy. He admitted that despite much achievements and milestones, South Africa has not done enough to support these institutions in upholding the bill of rights. Lamola acknowledges the difficulties are a result of fiscal constrains:
Meanwhile, the National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has emphasised the importance of recognising women’s rights as human rights at the conference. She highlighted economic inequality affecting women, with gender-based violence remaining a significant challenge. Mapisa-Nqakula urged collaboration to address gender inequality, including the gender wage gap and limited reproductive rights, particularly impacting women in rural areas and informal settlements:
# 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:
# Global anti-poverty charity Oxfam says Israel is deliberately obstructing humanitarian aid to Gaza, violating international humanitarian law. According to the organisation, Israel is systematically preventing aid delivery to the Palestinian territory, despite an emergency ruling by the International Court of Justice. They criticise Israel for the catastrophic situation in Gaza and for its failure to protect civilians. Oxfam condemns Israel’s inefficiency in aid inspection and arbitrary rejection of essential items. The charity warns of dire consequences, with 1.7-million Palestinians at risk of famine.
# Rugby: Tickets have gone on sale for next year’s British and Irish Lions tour of Australia. The tour kicks off against Western Force in Perth on the 28th of June next year and will consist of another eight matches, including three Tests against the Wallabies. There is still uncertainty though about the game against the Melbourne Rebels, who are currently under administration. Rugby Australia has only given a guarantee they will complete this year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-86-cents and the euro at 20-rand-56-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-4-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-312-dollars-21-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-161-dollars-17-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-57-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….