News 11:00

BULLETIN 21 April 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The SIU will probe the Department of Water and Sanitation for financial losses
# President Ramaphosa claims the past five years focused on rebuilding South Africa
# And, triathlon: South African captain Matt Trautman is looking for his first Ironman African win today 

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the Special Investigating Unit to investigate maladministration and financial losses in the Department of Water and Sanitation. This includes the War on Leaks project, aimed at training 15-thousand youths to reduce waste. The project was signed in 2015 by then Water and Sanitation minister, Nomvula Mokonyane, for Rand Water to curb approximately seven-billion-rand in water leaks countrywide. Other probes include irregular appointments and payments to Rand Water and the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority from 2015 to 2019.

On the campaign trial, Ramaphosa has asserted the past five years centred around rebuilding South Africa. Speaking in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, he said the ANC government laid the foundations for growth, including infrastructure and job creation. Ramaphosa emphasises boosting investor confidence and expresses confidence in the ANC’s continued governance:

# The minister and deputy minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy and Makhotso Sotyu, will unveil the Community Forestry Agreements and Transfer Mission in Butterworth, Eastern Cape, next week. The milestone includes 19 agreements as part of the transfer of 26 plantations to traditional councils in Eastern Cape, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal over three years. The initiative aligns with sustainable forestry management and aims to empower communities, fostering their participation in the market.

# At least 58 people going to a funeral died after their overloaded river boat capsized in the Central African Republic’s capital Bangui. According to witnesses and videos on social media, the wooden boat was carrying more than 300 people when it sank on the Mpoko river. AFP reports the vessel was heading to the funeral of a village chief some 45-kilometres from Bangui. Rescue services arrived 40 minutes after the disaster.

# And, triathlon: The 19th edition of the Ironman African Championships kicked off in Gqeberha today. South African captain Matt Trautman says he has eyes on his first win after last year’s setback with a flat tyre. Hosting 51 athletes, 40-percent are international, the largest international presence in the race’s history. The triathlon features a 3.9-kilometre swim, 180.2-kilometre bike ride, and 42-kilometre run. Trautman says he hopes things go his way today:

Stay tuned for more news………….