News 13:00

BULLETIN 20 April 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Justice Department slams Shivambu for visiting fugitive Bushiri in Malawi
# Public Servants Association condemns Tembisa Hospital for occupational health and safety non-compliance
# And, Zelensky says Russia continues attacks despite Putin’s surprise Easter truce

# The Justice Department has condemned MK Party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu for attending an Easter service led by fugitive Shepherd Bushiri in Malawi. Bushiri and his wife fled South Africa in 2020 and face serious charges including rape and fraud. Justice minister Mmamoloko Kubayi called Shivambu’s visit disrespectful to the legal system, especially as government continues efforts to extradite the couple to South Africa to face justice.

# The Gauteng Public Servants Association has expressed alarm following a fire at Tembisa Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit. The Gauteng Health and Wellness Department confirmed that all patients were safely evacuated, with the fire’s cause still under investigation. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, the union’s Madimetja Mautla warns of the hospital’s ongoing non-compliance with occupational health and safety standards, putting patients’ lives at risk:

# Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky says Russian forces were continuing their shelling and assaults along the front line despite Russian President Vladimir Putin announcing a surprise but brief Easter truce. The 30-hour truce would be the most significant pause in the fighting throughout the three-year conflict. But just hours after the order was meant to have come into effect, air-raid sirens sounded in Kyiv and several other Ukrainian regions, with Zelensky accusing Russia of having maintained its attacks.

# Soccer: The Video Assistant Referee came to the rescue for Orlando Pirates, who drew 0-0 with Pyramids FC in the first leg of their CAF Champions League semi-final at the FNB stadium yesterday. Pyramids had the ball in the back of the net on 88 minutes via a deflection from Sodiq Ougola but after a VAR check, the goal was ruled out for a handball. This means no goals were scored in either first legs of the semi-finals. Sundowns and Pirates now travel to Egypt for Friday’s deciding matches.

# Soccer: Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, says their main focus is not on the Premier League title but ensuring they play well against Leicester City and win the game today. It is mathematically possible for Liverpool to clinch the title today if they beat Leicester and Arsenal lose to Ipswich Town. The Reds need a maximum of six points from their remaining six fixtures to clinch the title. Slot says it has not been difficult to keep his players focused:

# And finally, ther award-winning musical, Chicago, is set to dazzle South African audiences this year, featuring an all-South African cast. The production will run at Cape Town’s Artscape Theatre from 27 August to 28 September, before moving to the Teatro at Montecasino in Johannesburg from 3 October to 9 November. Known for its jazz-infused hits like All That Jazz and Cell Block Tango, Chicago offers a bold commentary on fame and corruption. The musical has won six Tonys, two Oliviers, one Grammy, two Baftas and six Academy Awards.

Stay tuned for more news………….