News 11:00

BULLETIN 7 April 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Fikile Mbalula says South Africa won’t be bullied on whom to associate with globally
# A missing helicopter with four people on board is found safely in the Kruger National Park
# And Australia’s most decorated living soldier is arrested over alleged war crimes

# ANC secretary general, Fikile Mbalula, says South Africa will not be bullied on whom to associate with globally. The country’s non-alignment policy has drawn criticism, especially for not picking a side in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Speaking during the Solomon Mahlangu memorial lecture in Tshwane, Mbalula said the country’s policies will not bow down to the national interests of other countries, and that is the essence of national sovereignty:

# A helicopter that went missing at the Kruger National Park carrying four people yesterday, has been found. The pilot, two police investigators and an Environmental Crime Investigator were on board. The chopper disappeared during an investigation of a carcass that was discovered. Police spokesperson Donald Mdhluli says the group safely landed in a remote area, but struggled to navigate through thick bushes:

# Parliament’s portfolio committee on Home Affairs says there is a need for stricter enforcement and accountability within the cross-border transport sector. This comes after a bus travelling from Zimbabwe to Cape Town was found to be carrying 32 undocumented foreign nationals in addition to 43 passengers on the N1 near Bloemfontein over the weekend. Chairperson Mosa Chabane says an integrated law enforcement approach is critical to ensure that undocumented individuals within South African borders are identified and processed in line with the law. 

News from abroad:

# Australia’s most decorated living soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, has been arrested over alleged war crimes following a five-year investigation. The 47-year-old is facing five counts relating to his time serving in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. Roberts-Smith was previously accused in a defamation suit of murdering unarmed civilians while serving in the Australian Special Air Service, but denies any wrongdoing. Federal police commissioner Krissy Barrett says the maximum penalty for each charge is life imprisonment:

# Soccer: Kaizer Chiefs have boosted their chances of qualifying for the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup following their 3-1 victory over relegation-threatened Orbit College in the Premiership in Gqeberha. Mbulelo Wagaba put Orbit ahead and Wandile Duba equalised before halftime. Second-half goals from Siphesihle Ndlovu and Mduduzi Shabalala secured the victory for AmaKhosi. This moved Chiefs up to third place on the table and a qualification spot for the continental competition, which is the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-88-cents and the euro at 19-rand-49-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-35-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-557-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-651-dollars-22-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 108-dollars-2-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….