News 12:00

BULLETIN 30 April 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cosatu urges the IEC and police to probe allegations against the MK Party 
# Uhuru Kenyatta to lead a team of observers tasked with overseeing South Africa’s election
# And: President Cyril Ramaphosa pays tribute to the ‘Father of Black Business,’ Samuel Motsuenyane

# Cosatu is calling on the Electoral Commission and the police to urgently investigate allegations of forgery by the MK Party. The party allegedly submitted fraudulent signatures in fulfilment of the candidate nomination requirements. A criminal complaint has been filed with the police. Cosatu’s, Matthew Parks, says many parties and candidates have been disqualified from contesting elections because they did not meet the signature threshold. He adds that it will be a gross violation of the country’s laws if these allegations are true:

Meanwhile, the African Union Commission has appointed former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta to lead a team of observers tasked with overseeing South Africa’s election. The team will consist of 60 short-term observers and three core team electoral experts. They will observe the elections from 21 May to 3 June. The primary mandate of the team will be to provide impartial reporting on and assessment of the quality of the poll.

# City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre says the fire that started in the early hours of Sunday morning is still active, with the fire line visible on Table Mountain. The fire is still high up in the Organgekloof and Fernwood area and far away from properties. The city’s Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, says the fire on the lower slopes of Kirstenbosch is still inaccessible:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has lauded the pioneering contributions of the founding member of the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Samuel Motsuenyane. The 97-year-old who died yesterday was a key figure in the establishment of African Bank. Motsuenyane, often hailed as the ‘Father of Black Business,’ played a pivotal role in mentoring black business leaders and entrepreneurs while championing ethical business practices. Ramaphosa praised Motsuenyane’s resilience and commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, optimising the values of ubuntu and self-sufficiency enshrined in South Africa’s constitution.

# Boxing: Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, has paid tribute to South African boxing legend Dingaan Thobela, saying he inspired the nation and future boxers. He died in his Johannesburg home at the age of 57. Popularly known as the Rose of Soweto, he boxed professionally for 16 years and claimed three world titles in two weight divisions. Kodwa’s spokesperson, Litha Mpondwana, says Thobela did so much to elevate South African sport through his success in boxing:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-73-cents and the euro at 20-rand-4-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-48-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-132-dollars-17-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-317-dollars-20-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 87-dollars-22-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….