News 11:00

BULLETIN 24 March 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa condemns the Moscow concert hall attack
# The uMkhonto weSizwe party will not deploy its national executive committee to Parliament
# And, motorsport: Sainz wins the Australian Grand Prix as Verstappen’s race goes up in smoke

# The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has condemned Friday’s deadly attack on a concert hall in Moscow. Assailants stormed the Crocus City Hall, firing on the crowd before setting the venue ablaze. The death toll has reportedly risen to 133, including three children. More than 150 people were injured. Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela confirmed the safety of South African embassy staff and students. The department extends condolences to the families affected by this tragic event.

# Former president Jacob Zuma has announced that none of the party’s top national leadership will be appointed as ministers in Parliament at this time. Zuma made this announcement during an election campaign trail in Msinga, KwaZulu-Natal yesterday, almost two months before the general elections. He also expressed concern about persistent poverty among black people, 30-years into democracy. MK national spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndlela, stated that those deployed to government will be accountable to the party’s NEC:

# The Private Association of Rhino Conservation Reserves demands swift and severe action against government officials implicated in poaching-related crime. This follows the reinstatement of a nature conservation official from North West’s Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Mxolisi Stephen, previously charged with alleged poaching offenses. Stephen faces eight charges of alleged rhino dehorning and horn transportation without permits. The association’s Glen Phillips calls for accountability:

# A former Springboks coach, turned politician, has been granted bail by the Malmesbury Magistrate’s Court in the Western Cape following charges of attempted sexual assault and crimen injuria. The member of the GOOD party remains unnamed until pleading. He was suspended in February for allegedly groping a caucus colleague and the party appointed an independent chairperson for the disciplinary process.  GOOD’s secretary-general Brett Herron says the chairperson’s findings are imminent. The case has been postponed to 15 May.

# And, motorsport: Ferrari fans are smiling after taking the first and second place in the Formula One Grand Prix in Australia. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz surged to victory to snap Red Bull’s winning start to the season after three-time world champion Max Verstappen failed to finish. Sainz, who had appendicitis surgery just two weeks ago, took the chequered flag ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc, with McLaren’s Lando Norris third. Three-time world champion Verstappen was forced out of the race on lap three with smoke billowing from a rear wheel on his Red Bull.

Stay tuned for more news………….