News 08:00

BULLETIN 13 April 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Luke Fleurs’ family forgives his alleged killers, and calls for justice
# A union slams the Post Office retrenchments amid high unemployment
# And, rugby: The Bulls and the Sharks remain in contention for European silverware

# The family of Kaizer Chiefs defender Luke Fleurs say they have forgiven his alleged killers but demand no bail and seek justice. Six suspects who appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court are facing charges including murder, robbery, and illegal possession of firearms. Fleurs was shot during a botched hijacking in Johannesburg. His father, Theo Fleurs, urges parents to steer children away from crime:

# The National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers condemns the South African Post Office for issuing about four-thousand-700 retrenchment letters amid the closure of 235 post offices across the country. The union is outraged that SAPO is proceeding with the retrenchments, despite receiving a 2.4-billion-rand bailout in last year’s national budget and an expected additional 3.8-billion-rand. The union’s Caswell Mthombeni criticises the government for failing to intervene and save jobs, especially during a time of high unemployment, poverty and inequality:

# Less than two months before European voters in 27 countries take part in EU Parliament elections, Belgium says it is investigating pro-Russian networks trying to influence the vote. Prime minister Alexander de Croo alleges Moscow’s aim was to bring in more pro-Russian candidates. BBC News reports the Czech government also said recently it had broken up a pro-Kremlin network. According to intelligence agencies both in Prague and Poland, the Voice of Europe news website had been funded by Moscow to spread propaganda.

# Rugby: Two South African teams remain in contention for European silverware. Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth is back from injury and will start for the Sharks against Scottish side Edinburgh in Durban today, in the Challenge Cup quarterfinal. The Champions Cup quarterfinals will see Northampton Saints hosting the Bulls in England. Director of rugby Jake White made no fewer than 14 changes to the Bulls’ starting 15 that thrashed Lyon in Pretoria last weekend.

# And, the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation has unveiled plans to establish a new turtle conservation centre at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. The centre will include a turtle rehabilitation hospital, education facilities, exhibition space, a restaurant, and research efforts. Construction is set to commence in 2026. This initiative responds to the growing need for turtle care amid climate change and plastic pollution threats. Over the past two decades, the aquarium has released over one-thousand turtles back into the ocean, including some well-known cases like Bob and Novombu.

Stay tuned for more news………….