News 08:00

BULLETIN 4th May 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Fallen Free State SAPS officers to receive official funerals
# Women and Men Against Child Abuse says justice in Joslin Smith case remains bitter
# And Cricket: Rabada serving a provisional ban for positive drug test

# The three SAPS officers found dead in the Hennops River in Centurion will be laid to rest separately. The officers were en route from the Free State to Limpopo for a three-month Operation Vala Umgodi deployment, when their car plunged into the river ten days ago. Their vehicle was recovered and the Police are still investigating the cause of death. Free State police commissioner Baile Motswenyane confirmed that Boipelo Senoge, Cebekhulu Linda, and Keamogetswe Buys will receive official police funerals:

# The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation has welcomed the High Court in the Western Cape High sitting in Saldanha Bay’s conviction of Kelly Smith and her co-accused for the kidnapping and trafficking of six-year-old Joslin Smith. Sentencing is scheduled for next Friday. UDEMWO secretary general Thandi Nontenja stated that the judgment is a significant step towards justice but emphasised that true justice requires uncovering Joslin’s whereabouts:

Meanwhile, Women and Men Against Child Abuse says the verdict against Kelly Smith and her co-accused on Joslin Smith disappearance is not a victory. The organisation says it is a bitter moment as Joslin remains missing. The organisation vows that Joslin’s name will not fade into silence.

# The Democratic Republic of Congo has granted a licence to Elon Musk’s Starlink, allowing the satellite internet provider to begin operations soon. The move marks a shift from a previous ban over national security concerns. With only 30-percent of the population online, Congolese Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority says Starlink’s arrival could boost connectivity. Already licensed in Somalia and Lesotho, Starlink is expanding across Africa and is also in talks with Uganda to launch services there.

# Cricket: South Africa’s fast bowler Kagiso Rabada says he is serving a provisional suspension for failing a drugs test. The 29-year-old returned home from the Indian Premier League where he was playing for Gujarat Titans at the start of last month. He has now confirmed that he tested positive for the use of a recreational drug. Rabada did not disclose the drug or the length of his ban. In a statement released by the SA Cricketers Association the cricketer said he was deeply sorry to all those who he had let down.

# And finally, Soccer: Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabiduring was left disappointed after his side failed to defend an early lead in the 2-1 defeat against Orlando Pirates in their Soweto derby yesterday at a packed FNB Stadium. Glody Lilepo gave Amakhosi the perfect start to the match when he put them in the lead in as early as the second minute of the game, but goals from Evidence Makgopa and Relebohile Mofokeng made sure that the Buccaneers took maximum points. Nabiduring told Supersport that individual mistakes led to the downfall against Pirates.

Stay tuned for more news………….