News 08:00

BULLETIN 25 April 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The GOOD Party says the Masemola case reignites the debate on senior officials looting the state
# The DA takes the issue of the missing sex offenders list to Parliament
# And heavy rain and damaging winds are expected in the Western and Northern Cape

# The GOOD Party says senior government officials must be held more accountable for the misuse of public funds. The party argues that action against irregular spending is too rare and inconsistent across the government. GOOD secretary-general Brett Herron says the case of suspended national police commissioner Fannie Masemola highlights a wider problem where accounting officers are not always held responsible for financial mismanagement:

# The DA calls on Justice and Constitutional Development minister Mmamoloko Kubayi to appear before Parliament to account for a 14-month delay in publishing the national register for sex offenders. According to the party, the register, which contains the names of about 32-thousand convicted offenders, remains inaccessible for vetting purposes in schools and other institutions. The DA’s Glynnis Breytenbach says the delay is undermining the fight against gender-based violence and leaving vulnerable groups at risk.

# The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse calls on authorities to take firm action if wrongdoing is uncovered during upcoming testimony before the North West legislature’s inquiry into the North West Transport Investment. Technical director Nelson Makgata is due to appear on Tuesday, with evidence expected to focus on governance failures, financial mismanagement, and procurement concerns. OUTA’s Stefanie Fick urges lawmakers to ensure accountability follows any findings of wrongdoing:

# The South African Weather Service says a well-developed cold front is expected to move into the Western Cape and parts of the Northern Cape from Sunday afternoon. It will bring heavy rain, strong winds, and rough seas. Rain of up to 40-millimetres is expected in some areas, along with strong winds that could reach 90-kilometres per hour. Temperatures are expected to drop early next week, with cold and wet conditions persisting. Coastal areas are also warned of dangerous high waves.

Meanwhile, the return of El Nino weather conditions are expected from as early as next month. El Niño is a periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. It is known to disrupt regional climates, potentially bringing increased rainfall ⁠to South America, the southern United States and the Horn of Africa, while causing drought ⁠in Australia, Indonesia, and southern Asia. The World Meteorological Organisation says that although models indicate a strong El Niño event, more accurate predictions will only be possible after this month.

# And rugby: Teenage sensation Markus Muller will become the Stormers’ youngest player ever if he makes his debut from the bench in this afternoon’s United Rugby Championship match against Glasgow Warriors in Cape Town. The 18-year-old centre still played schoolboy rugby for Paarl Gim last year, and will become the only player beside fullback Damian Willemse to represent the Stormers before turning 19. The hosts are currently only four points behind Glasgow on top of the log, with only two group games left after today.

Stay tuned for more news………….