News 13:00

BULLETIN 11 May 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Nine Zion Christian Church members are killed in a crash on the N2 Northbound in KZN
# Deputy minister Letsike says South Africa remains burdened by the harsh realities of gender-based violence
# And Tennis: Jannik Sinner makes a triumphant return at the Italian Open

# Nine people were killed when a tow truck and a Hyundai Van which was transporting 24 members of the Zion Christian Church, collided along the N2 Northbound near the Mthunzini Toll Plaza in KwaZulu-Natal today. The provincial department of Transport’s spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiyam says church members mostly mothers were travelling to Dukuduku in Umtubatuba. He says those who were injured have been taken to hospitals and MEC Siboniso Duma wishes them a speedy recovery:

# Deputy minister for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Letsike says South Africa remains burdened by the harsh realities of gender-based violence against women and girls. She says the 2022 GBV Prevalence Study indicates that one in three women, roughly 7.3 million, have faced physical violence during their lives. Letsike says this means nearly one in ten women reported having encountered sexual violence, and over a quarter have suffered abuse from intimate partners:

# The GOOD Party says it feels repulsive that a group of relatively privileged South Africans, who falsely claim that they are being systematically stripped of their land and lives, should be entitled to monetise their wealth. The GOOD Party secretary-general, Brett Herron says it is time for South Africa to finally cross the democracy Rubicon and redistribute some of its wealth, to narrow inequality and create a sustainable base:

# Any jubilation about the new Pope this week quickly dissipated as key voices from Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again movement came to the conclusion that the first American Pope does not appear to be America first. Pope Leo previously voiced concerns for the poor and immigrants and appears to have both supported the liberal-leaning Pope Francis and criticised the US president’s policies on social media. Former White House official Steve Bannon predicts friction between the new Pope and Trump.

# And finally some tennis: Jannik Sinner made an effortless return to the court on Saturday after a three-month doping ban, sweeping aside Mariano Navone in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 at the Italian Open. The world number one cruised past Argentina’s Navone in one hour and 39 minutes in front of over ten-thousand supporters, to set up a third-round clash with lucky loser Jesper de Jong. Sinner had not played since winning the Australian Open in January. He delighted a packed centre court in the Italian capital, shaking off the cobwebs as he eyes a run at Roland Garros later this month.

Meanwhile Iga Swiatek was dumped out of the Italian Open on Saturday after the reigning Rome champion suffered a 6-1, 7-5 defeat at the hands of Danielle Collins. Swiatek’s early exit is a major shock as the Pole usually dominates her rivals on clay and has a hugely impressive record in the Italian capital. The manner of her defeat is another worrying sign ahead of Roland Garros as she was also thrashed in straight sets by Coco Gauff in the semifinals of the Madrid Open earlier this month.

Stay tuned for more news………….