News 09:00

BULLETIN 6th April 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Illegal weapons and dockets were seized in a probe linked to Fannie Nkosi
# The Fuel Industry Association warns fuel backlogs cause temporary shortages at filling stations
# And tennis, the world’s best men’s players converge for the Monte-Carlo Masters

# An official of the police’s Gauteng Organised Crime Unit, Fannie Nkosi, is expected to appear in court this week following his arrest. Nkosi, who testified before the Madlanga commission, is linked to criminal syndicates. A report from City Press indicates a search of his Pretoria home uncovered police case dockets, 190 rounds of unlicensed ammunition, a state-issued hand grenade and eight licensed firearms. The discovery raises serious concerns about possible criminal activity, and firearm safety as they were stored in a sink and not a safe.

# The Fuel Industry Association says fuel shortages reported at some filling stations in Gauteng are part of a wider national backlog, not a lack of supply. Executive director Avhapfani Tshifularo says panic and bulk buying ahead of last week’s fuel price increases disrupted distribution as petrol prices rose by over three-rand-per-litre and diesel with more than seven-rand. The association says supply is being stabilised and backlogs should clear by early this week.

# The DA says it remains committed to non-racialism as questions arise about its messaging on race ahead of its federal congress. Spokesperson Luyolo Mphithi praised outgoing leader John Steenhuisen for promoting inclusive leadership and youth representation. Mphithi told Newzroom Afrika that the party’s governance record reflects service delivery for all South Africans, adding the DA is focused on building trust and demonstrating diversity across its leadership structures:

# The country head for the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, Tshego Neeuwfan, says while reforms in the electricity distribution sector will take time, immediate collaboration is needed to improve supply. This as electricity experts have welcomed National Treasury’s decision allowing municipalities to use funds to invest in key infrastructure. He adds that affordability, efficient usage, and stronger partnerships are critical, warning that municipalities cannot solve infrastructure challenges alone without broader stakeholder support.

# US President Donald Trump has published another post on social media in which he threatened to destroy Iran’s power plants and bridges if it failed to meet his Tuesday deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump’s new threat came after he announced the second crew member of a US fighter jet downed over Iran had been successfully rescued. Both the US and Iran had scrambled to locate the US serviceman in a mountainous region Iran. The pilot of the F-15 had been recovered shortly after the aircraft was shot down on Friday.

# And tennis: The clay court season is in full swing, and one of the most prestigious men’s tournaments, the Monte-Carlo Masters, starts along the Mediterranean today. The top-two players in the world, Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Italian Jannik Sinner, tops the draw, with Sinner having a chance to dethrone Alcaraz as number one next weekend. Among the other top players taking part are Germany’s Alexander Zverev, another Italian, Lorenzo Musetti, Russians Daniil Medvedev, Karen Kachanov and Andrey Rublev, and Norway’s Casper Ruud.

Stay tuned for more news………….