News 13:00

BULLETIN 29 April 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The MK party is being accused of the mass forgery of signatures
# The FF Plus’ Gauteng premier candidate says they will stabilise the province
# And, cricket: SA’s Tristan Stubbs shines for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL

# Former president Jacob Zuma’s MK party is being accused of extensively forging signatures to qualify for the elections. City Press reports the claim by a former senior official of the party was submitted to the Western Cape police last week. Lennox Ntsodo states he had appointed a team of about 20 people to assist with the mass forgery of signatures after the Electoral Commission rejected MK’s initial application for registration. The team allegedly fraudulently obtained names, identity numbers and cellphone numbers of jobseekers from a database of the Cape Metro Council.

The Freedom Front Plus’ premier candidate in Gauteng, Jaco Mulder, meanwhile, says they will bring stability to the province. Mulder says the FF Plus has already proven itself to be a reliable coalition partner. He adds Gauteng may be the smallest province, but it is the most densely populated and comprises the country’s three largest metros; Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni:

And, COPE says South Africa’s social and economic challenges, such as poverty, unemployment and inequality, cannot be blamed on an inadequate Constitution. Acting general-secretary, Erick Mohlapamaswi, says they are a consequence of leadership’s failure to robustly implement its provisions, coupled with a lack of integrity, and a government that is not accountable and transparent. Mohlapamaswi says the Constitution is inherently transformative, intended to uplift the lives of all South Africans:

# Israel’s Foreign minister Israel Katz says a planned incursion into Rafah in Gaza could be suspended should a deal emerge for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. International mediators are pushing for a ceasefire deal in the six months of fighting in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages. Katz stresses the hostages remain their top priority. He confirmed a planned operation to eliminate Hamas battalions in Rafah would be suspended should a deal be reached.

# And, cricket: South Africa’s Tristan Stubbs continued his excellent form as the Delhi Capitals beat the Mumbai Indians by ten runs in the Indian Premier League. Stubbs scored an unbeaten 48 off 25 balls after Australia’s Jake Fraser-McGurk had smashed 84 off 27 to fire Delhi to 257 for four. Playing at home, Delhi posted their best total in the T20 tournament, a day after the Punjab Kings chased down a record target of 262.

Stay tuned for more news………….