News 08:00

BULLETIN 24 March 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa calls for a proper investigation into the Mapisa-Nqakula corruption allegations
# ActionSA says its manifesto offers hope to disillusioned South Africans
# And, rugby: Four SA teams on winning streak in URC

# ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa insists that relevant institutions must be permitted to probe corruption accusations against National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. This comes after her Johannesburg residence was raided last week amid allegations of soliciting 2.3-million-rand in bribes during her tenure as Defence minister. Speaking during the ANC’s election campaign in the Eastern Cape, Ramaphosa stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law:

# ActionSA president Herman Mashaba urges citizens to support the party’s inaugural election manifesto. He highlighted its historic significance in addressing South Africa’s challenges, offering hope to disillusioned citizens. Delivering the party’s nine action plans at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg, Mashaba says the manifesto addresses pressing issues like job creation, community safety, education, and healthcare. Mashaba urged citizens to back ActionSA as an alternative, emphasising the need for action to fix South Africa:

ActionSA also outlined plans to address the energy crisis, advocating for a competitive and decentralised energy market. Mashaba says they intend to introduce a legal framework for private companies to build small, local energy grids using renewable sources. He proposes that independent power producers and private sector entities join Eskom in electricity generation to boost the country’s power supply:

# Russian president Vladimir Putin has pledged to punish those responsible for the deadly Crocus City Hall concert shooting in Moscow on Friday, which claimed the lives of at least 133 people. Four gunmen were apprehended while attempting to flee to Ukraine. The attackers, reportedly linked to a jihadist group, stormed the concert, opening fire on the crowd before setting the building ablaze. Putin condemned the barbaric, terrorist act and declared today a National Day of Mourning. He promised justice for all involved. In a televised address, Putin said 11 people had been detained, including the four gunmen.

# And, rugby: Second-placed Bulls beat the Dragons 31-10 in a United Rugby Championship clash in Newport, Wales, scoring a bonus-point try right at the end. In Galway, Ireland, a 14-man Lions team smashed Connaught 38-14, scoring six tries. Earlier yesterday, a hat-trick of tries from Suleiman Hartzenberg and a brace from Leolin Zas brought the Stormers a resounding 43-21 win over Edinburgh in Cape Town, and five championship points. And in Durban, the Sharks broke their losing sequence with a 22-12 victory over Ulster.

Stay tuned for more news………….