News 12:00

BULLETIN 17 April 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A political analyst says Julius Malema’s possible absence could create a leadership uncertainty in the EFF
# Cold, wet and windy conditions are expected in parts of the country until Monday
# And rugby: Mixed results for the Blitzboks on the opening day in Hong Kong

# 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 sentenced to five years 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.

Meanwhile, Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane has rejected Malema’s claims that he obtained a fraudulent Master’s degree from the University of Fort Hare. Made made the allegations while addressing EFF supporters out the KuGompo Magistrate’s Court. Provincial government spokesperson, Sonwabo Mbananga, says the matter relating to Mabuyane and the university is currently before the courts and is therefore sub judice:

# The South African Weather Service has issued a warning for thunderstorms with heavy downpours and damaging winds in parts of the country until Monday. A Yellow level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms with heavy downpours has been issued for parts of the Northern, Eastern and Western Cape, as well as the central and western parts of the Free State and North West. Forecaster Tokelo Chiloane says this change in weather is associated with the passage of two consecutive cold fronts:

Moving abroad:

# United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, has welcomed the ten-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, hoping this will pave the way for negotiations towards a long-term solution to the conflict. Over two-thousand people have been killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon since last month. UN spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, says they hope all parties will observe the truce, adding the people of Lebanon and Israel deserve to live in peace:

# Rugby: The Springbok Sevens recorded one victory and one defeat in Hong Kong today in the first of three World Championship tournaments. The Blitzboks narrowly defeated Uruguay 12-7 in their opening match, followed by a 31-12 thrashing at the hands of Spain. Philip Snyman’s men will face Argentina in their final Pool A match tomorrow morning. The other two tournaments will take place in Valladolid, Spain, in May, and Bordeaux, France, in June, before a grand champion will be crowned. 

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-38-cents and the euro at 19-rand-30-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-14-cents and Bitcoin trades at 75-thousand-35-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-784-dollars-19-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 94-dollars-13-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….