News 07:00

BULLETIN 1 April 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The National Prosecuting Authority lodge a complaint with the Press Ombud
# The Airbnb regulations have still not been finalised
# And rugby: The Blitzboks call up David Brits and Sebastiaan Jobb for Singapore

# The National Prosecuting Authority has dismissed allegations of executive interference in its work. A report in the Sunday World alleged that president Cyril Ramaphosa, minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, and minister in Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, are conniving with the NPA to have deputy president Paul Mashatile prosecuted. The NPA has submitted a formal complaint to the Sunday World editor and will also lodge a formal complaint with the Press Ombud. The prosecutorial body insists that it discharges its mandate without fear, favour, or prejudice.

# AfriForum has accused the government of misusing the National Water and Sanitation Indaba held last week. The Indaba brought together stakeholders including water boards and catchment management entities, to develop a clear plan for resolving challenges in the sector. AfriForum’s, Marais de Vaal, says president Cyril Ramaphosa’s promises to find immediate solutions to the country’s water crisis are a shining example of the government’s fine preaching, but is nothing more than a masterclass in the misuse of public discourse:

# South Africa still lacks national regulations for short-term rentals, six years after the Tourism Department began the process. The government is now finalising policies that could reshape Airbnb operations, including mandatory registration and rental caps. Property experts warn of potential impacts on investment and housing affordability, particularly in Cape Town, where Airbnb listings outnumber long-term rentals. Experts say that if adopted, these changes could benefit local tenants but affect tourism.

# The case against a Zimbabwean national accused of murdering six Soshanguve community patrollers resumes today in the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court for consolidation with other charges. He appeared yesterday in court, facing multiple counts of murder, attempted murder, and robbery with aggravating circumstances. National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana says the accused was arrested in a separate case and later identified in an identity parade while in custody:

# The death toll from the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar last week has risen to more than two-thousand, and nearly 300 others remain missing. Several countries including China and Russia, have deployed resources to assist in rescue and relief operations. The World Health Organisation says rescue operations faced significant obstacles including damaged roads, collapsed bridges, unstable communications, and the complexities related to civil conflict. Myanmar has declared a week of national mourning, with national flags flying at half mast.

# Rugby: David Brits and Sebastiaan Jobb have been called up to join the Springbok Sevens ahead of the sixth leg of the World Series in Singapore this weekend. They are replacing the injured Quewin Nortje and Gino Cupido respectively. The Blitzboks struggled at the Hong Kong Sevens this past weekend, finishing in ninth place. Brits says he is confident that the team can bounce back in Singapore, where they will face Great Britain and Argentina in Pool A:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-31-cents and the euro at 19-rand-82-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-66-cents and Bitcoin trades at 82-thousand-555-dollar-40-cents. Gold sells at three-thousand-132-dollars-50-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-66-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….