News 07:00

BULLETIN 28 April 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Paul Mashatile to convene a meeting of the GNU Clearing House Mechanism today
# Three foreign business owners are shot dead in the Joburg CBD
# And rugby: The Junior Boks are off to a winning start in the U20 Rugby Championship

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile will convene a meeting of the government of national unity’s Clearing House Mechanism today. The structure was established by president Cyril Ramaphosa in 2024 to resolve policy disagreements within the GNU. The meeting comes amid tensions between coalition partners ahead of the local government elections. Mashatile previously stated that the meetings serve as an indication that the GNU remains intact and committed to the shared goals and objectives of each representative party, including driving inclusive growth and job creation and reducing poverty.

# United Africans Transformation says South Africa’s freedom remains incomplete, with poverty, unemployment, and landlessness still affecting millions. The organisation argues political rights alone do not equate to true liberation, calling for urgent land redistribution and economic reform. It says many citizens remain excluded from wealth and opportunity, despite democratic gains. National spokesperson Mighty Mabule urges government to prioritise job creation, tackle inequality, and restore dignity to South Africans:

# Gauteng police have launched an investigation following the killing of three foreign national shop owners in the Johannesburg CBD on Monday. Police spokesperson, Noxolo Kweza, says the victims, who were aged between 30- and 45-years-old, were shot and killed by two unknown suspects while having breakfast at a restaurant. She says the suspects were wearing masks:

# FBI director Kash Patel says they will be working with local and federal law enforcement agencies to discuss lessons learned from Saturday’s incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Thirty-one-year-old Cole Tomas Allen was arrested after allegedly opening fire near a security checkpoint in the Washington Hilton hotel foyer – the venue where the dinner was being held. Patel told Fox News that a full investigation is currently underway to ensure future events are safe and secure:

# Rugby: The Junior Springboks got their Under-20 Rugby Championship campaign off to a winning start, beating Argentina 48-21 in Gqeberha. A blistering first-half display saw the hosts surge to a 36-0 lead. Argentina mounted a second-half response, but it was not enough as the Junior Boks sealed a bonus-point win. In the other match, defending champions New Zealand secured a hard-fought 34-29 victory against Australia. The teams will be back in action on Sunday, when South Africa face Australia, and New Zealand takes on Argentina.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-53-cents and the euro at 19-rand-36-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-36-cents and Bitcoin trades at 77-thousand-235-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-689-dollars-28-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 102-dollars-11-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A study has raised concern over increased vaping among South African high school learners. Research led by the University of Cape Town’s Professor Richard Van Zyl-Smith shows e-cigarettes are now the most commonly used inhaled substance among learners. The study also links vaping patterns to the use of tobacco and cannabis, raising fears of early nicotine addiction and long-term health risks. Van Zyl-Smith emphasises that stronger regulation and awareness campaigns are urgently needed to protect young people from substance dependence.

Stay tuned for more news………….