News 11:00

BULLETIN 17 April 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A political analyst says Julius Malema’s possible absence could create leadership uncertainty in the EFF
# Judge Mbenenge is to file a review application against the Judicial Service Commission’s finding of gross misconduct
# And tennis: The French Open offers 9.5-percent more in prize money this year

# Political analyst Ongama Mtimka says EFF leader Julius Malema’s pending jail term threatens his eligibility to hold public office, and exposes the party’s lack of prepared leadership succession. Malema was sentencing to five years of direct imprisonment, which he is appealing, after being found guilty of violating gun laws. In a News24 opinion piece, Mtimka says Malema has not had time to prepare the party for another leader, but has instead invested significant time in ensuring no one is affirmed enough to command respect and legitimacy to take over.

# Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge will file a review application after the Judicial Service Commission found him guilty of gross misconduct. This overturns an earlier decision by the Judicial Conduct Tribunal, probing allegations of sexual harassment against Mbenenge, which found him guilty on a lesser charge of misconduct. Mbenenge now faces possible impeachment. His legal representative, Thabo Kwinana, told Newzroom Afrika the process has been fundamentally flawed:

# The GOOD Party says Tshwane’s state of the capital address delivered by mayor Nasiphi Moya laid out the undeniable truth that South Africa’s capital city is on the rise. The party’s Sarah Mabotsa says the most clear is the vast improvement in the metro’s financial position, with cash flow reserves increasing from just 17 days to at least 25 days. She says the improvements in the Auditor General reports and international ratings agency Moody’s verify the stabilised status of Tshwane’s finances:

Moving abroad: 

# US president Donald Trump says a deal to end the war with Iran is very close. Peace talks may resume with Tehran in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, this weekend. Trump said in Las Vegas he wasn’t sure an extension to the ceasefire with Tehran, which is due to expire on Wednesday, was necessary. He also claims Iran will give up enriched uranium and abandon nuclear weapons ambitions, key sticking points in the negotiations:

# Tennis: The prize money for the French Open will be almost ten-percent higher than last year. The organisers announced a 9.5-percent increase to a total of 1.19-billion-rand, with the singles champions taking home over 49-million-rand each and first-round losers pocketing 1.9-million-rand. Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz and American Coco Gauff are the defending champions. The claycourt Grand Slam tournament starts at Roland Garros in Paris on the 24th of next month.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-41-cents and the euro at 19-rand-33-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-18-cents and Bitcoin trades at 75-thousand-15-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-788-dollars-52-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 94-dollars-50-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….