News 08:00

BULLETIN 14 April 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Zane Dangor says Ramaphosa has selected an ambassador to the US
# OUTA urges the Parliament to strengthen whistleblower protections
# And rugby: UP-Tuks secure a record-breaking sixth Varsity Cup title

# Department of International Relations and Cooperation director-general Zane Dangor says president Cyril Ramaphosa has chosen South Africa’s new ambassador to the US. It has been just over a year since Ramaphosa’s first official ambassador to the second Donald Trump administration, Ebrahim Rasool, was abruptly declared persona non grata by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and expelled from America. This is after he insinuated in a public webinar that Trump was a white supremacist. Dangor told the Cape Town Press Club that Ramaphosa will make an announcement soon.

# The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse urges Parliament to strengthen the Protected Disclosures Bill, warning that whistleblowers remain vulnerable despite proposed reforms. The organisation believes that while the bill marks progress, people who report corruption still face intimidation, job loss, financial hardship and long legal battles. OUTA’s Stefanie Fick calls for stronger, practical support, including an independent body to protect whistleblowers:

# SECTION27 says the National Prosecuting Authority’s decision to prosecute individuals implicated in the Life Esidimeni tragedy is a significant step towards justice and accountability. At least 141 patients died between 2015 and 2016, after they were transferred from licensed facilities to unregistered and ill-equipped non-governmental organisations. SECTION27’s executive director, Sasha Stevenson, says the state must demonstrate, through action, its commitment to protecting the rights, dignity, and lives of all mental healthcare users:

# UK prime minister Keir Starmer says the economic impacts of the war in the Middle East will last longer than the conflict itself. The prime minister, together with French president Emmanuel Macron, will convene a summit of leaders this week to help ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, where much of the world’s supply of oil and gas passes. Starmer says he is focused on getting the vital shipping channel reopened to reduce energy prices as quickly as possible:

# Rugby: University of Pretoria-Tuks secured a record-breaking sixth Varsity Cup title with a dominant 31-3 victory over the North West University-Eagles. The homeside led 10-3 at the break at the Tuks Stadium in Pretoria. Tuks scored three tries with Divan du Toit slotting three penalties, while the Eagles could only score a first-half penalty through MJ Mostert. Tuks is now the most decorated team in the tournament, while Stellenbosch University-Maties has five titles.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-40-cents and the euro at 19-rand-29-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-15-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 74-thousand-426-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-771-dollars-57-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 94-dollars-91-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….