News 12:00

BULLETIN 6 March 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Electoral Commission launches a public debate on electronic voting in South Africa
# Police launch a manhunt after a prominent pastor is killed in Mpumalanga
# And rugby: The Boks will play another three matches this year

# The Electoral Commission is set to begin a public discussion on the potential of electronic voting in South Africa. A three-day conference will be held in Cape Town from Monday to Wednesday to launch the debate. The conference will explore research on e-voting, including lessons from other countries. The commission’s CEO, Sy Mamabolo, says the event will improve elections, enhance voter access, and give citizens a chance to shape the future of digital voting:

# Mpumalanga police have launched a manhunt for suspects involved in the fatal shooting of prominent pastor, radio personality and businessman, Ezrom Mathumbu. Police spokesperson, Donald Mdhluli, says Mathumbu was driving on the R536 Road at Cork Trust between Mkhuhlu and Kruger National Park. He was shot multiple times. Mdhluli says nothing appears to have been taken during the incident, and Mathumbu was declared dead on the scene:

# The Activists and Citizens Forum says the DA’s secretive visit to the US at the same time that AfriForum and Solidarity are in the country is concerning. The DA says its working visit to the US was aimed at stabilising diplomatic relations between South Africa and America during this period of heightened tensions. The forum’s spokesperson, Dennis Bloem, says president Cyril Ramaphosa needs to act against the DA:

Meanwhile, the United Nations Children’s Fund says announced and anticipated funding cuts by numerous donor countries will limit its ability to reach millions of children in dire need. The US government has terminated funding by the United States Agency for International Development to several non-governmental organisations globally. UNICEF is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from governments, private sector partners, and individuals. Executive director Catherine Russell says millions of children are affected by conflict and need to be vaccinated against deadly diseases such as measles and polio.

# Rugby: Springbok management wants three more matches for the team this year to toughen up the schedule halfway between two World Cups. The two-time defending champions already have 13 confirmed appointments, but operational manager Charles Wessels says they plan a match against the Barbarians in June, as well as two Tests against undisclosed opponents. Head coach Rassie Erasmus says they realise it will be a tough season, but they want to give the players opportunities to build experience and show their mettle.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-37-cents and the euro at 19-rand-83-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-68-cents and Bitcoin trades at 91-thousand-517-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-907-dollars-73-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-37-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….