News 13:00

BULLETIN 5 May 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Police minister reveals the closure of five million dockets without results
# The UDM condemns the delayed scholar transport payments
# And, motorsport: Verstappen takes pole in Miami after a sprint race win

# Police minister Bheki Cele has unveiled concerning statistics, revealing over five-million police case dockets were closed without resolution in the past five years. Cele attributed the closure to lack of leads. DA member of Parliament, Andrew Whitfield, has criticised the revelation, saying it highlights the failure of SAPS leadership. Whitfield emphasises the lack of justice for victims and slams the police for being non-responsive, under-resourced and lacking in leadership and skills.

# The United Democratic Movement in the Eastern Cape has criticised the provincial government’s handling of scholar transport funds. Deputy secretary Bulelani Bobotyane expresses dismay over payment delays affecting operators transporting 103-thousand learners. Despite a budget of 725-million-rand, only 120-million rand has been disbursed, impacting operators’ livelihoods. Bobotyane demands accountability from the Eastern Cape Department of Transport, with detailed financial reports:

# Cape Town’s current fire season has been deemed the worst in the city’s history. Speaking during the commemoration of Firefighters Day, Cape Town’s mayoral committee member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, noted that firefighters have responded to over six-thousand fires this season. Thousands of firefighters from various districts and organisations have been mobilised to contain fires, with thousands of litres of water used. Smith commended firefighters for their diligence:

# Motorsport: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen continued his total domination of Formula One, taking pole position for today’s Miami Grand Prix after clinching the sprint race yesterday. AFP reports the reigning world champion and championship leader, who has won four out of five Grand Prix races this season, clinched his seventh straight pole position. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will start second with his teammate Carlos Sainz third, and Verstappen’s Red Bull partner Sergio Perez fourth. Three-time world champion Verstappen has won both the previous Miami Grand Prix races, but never from pole.

# And, SANParks’ Honorary Rangers are commemorating their 60th anniversary today, with various events planned throughout the year. Celebrations will culminate in a week-long national indaba in the Garden Route National Park from 9 to 14 September. The organisation says it has contributed over two-million volunteer hours and assets valued at over 515-million-rand since 2016, in conservation, ranger support and anti-poaching efforts. CEO Jimmy Telle emphasises their mission to sustainably manage and promote national parks.

Stay tuned for more news………….