News 08:00
BULLETIN 3 April 8 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Jacob Zuma takes the TRC recusal battle to the Constitutional Court
# ActionSA demands the immediate removal of minister Tolashe
# And 40 countries hold a virtual meeting to discuss the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
# Former president Jacob Zuma has launched an urgent application at the Constitutional Court, challenging a Johannesburg High Court ruling that dismissed his bid to remove Judge Sisi Khampepe as chair of the apartheid-era Truth and Reconciliation Commission cases inquiry. Zuma and former President Thabo Mbeki previously failed to have her recused over alleged bias. They argued her previous positions as deputy director of public prosecutions meant she was involved in the policies now being investigated. Zuma now argues the matter is urgent.
# ActionSA demands that president Cyril Ramaphosa immediately fire Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe for allegedly lying to Parliament and covering up luxury vehicles received from Chinese officials, purportedly for the ANC’s Women’s League. But the ANC denied any knowledge of receiving the vehicles. A investigation by Daily Maverick revealed that the cars ended up in her son and daughter’s names. Dereleen James of ActionSA says the minister’s conduct may carry criminal implications:
# The agricultural organisation TLU SA says the government’s foot-and-mouth disease vaccine strategy is falling short, as only a single-strain vaccine is being produced instead of the planned trivalent version. The organisation warns that this limited rollout, producing just 20-thousand doses per week, leaves farmers at risk of infection and economic loss. TLU SA’s Bennie van Zyl says the current rollout is too slow to deal with the scale of the outbreak:
# A virtual meeting by 40 countries, chaired by Britain yesterday, discussed joint action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and stop Iran from holding the global economy hostage. British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper said Iran’s recklessness in blockading the waterway was hitting households and businesses in every corner of the world. Although the meeting ended without any specific agreements, there was a consensus that Iran should not introduce transit fees on ships using the waterway and that all nations should be able to use it freely. Among the participants were France, Germany, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and India.
# Rugby: Three South African teams are in action in two European competitions this weekend – the Stormers and the Bulls in the Champions Cup, and the Sharks in the Challenge Cup. The Stormers face Toulon in France in a round of 16 encounter tomorrow afternoon, while the Bulls, strengthened by 14 Springboks in their touring squad, will do battle in Scotland against Glasgow Warriors in the same round. The Sharks play Connacht in Ireland tonight, also in the Challenge Cup’s round of 16.
# And finally: The National Sea Rescue Institute cautions beachgoers to be careful during the full moon spring tide, which will affect sea conditions over the Easter weekend. The full moon spring tide was expected to peak yesterday, bringing higher high tides, lower low tides, and stronger rip currents that could be dangerous for swimmers, anglers, and coastal hikers. The institute’s Andrew Ingram warns of stronger rip currents and unsafe conditions along beaches and rocks:
Stay tuned for more news………….