News 13:00

BULLETIN 2 April 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Businessman Calvin Mathibeli retracts his allegations against the KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner   
# Twenty-five passengers are injured in a multi-vehicle accident near the Tugela Plaza in KwaZulu-Natal
# And cricket: Van der Dussen ends his Proteas career

# The legal dispute between KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and businessman Calvin Mathibeli has been resolved, after Mathibeli retracted and deleted defamatory social media posts. The High Court in Durban ruled against Mathibeli, ordering him to comply with its decision and pay legal costs. His claims against Mkhwanazi were dismissed, and his attempt to block a police inspection also failed. Police are meanwhile proceding with Operation Buyisa, targeting illegal firearms and enforcing compliance at Mathibeli’s and other security companies.

# Twenty-five people were injured when a bus, two trucks, and several other vehicles collided near Tugela Plaza in KwaZulu-Natal this morning. The provincial Department of Transport’s spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, says the bus was carrying at least 52 passengers and the driver. He is urging road users to exercise caution, especially as the Easter long weekend commences, and high traffic volumes are expected:

Meanwhile, the South African Weather Service has forecast partly cloudy conditions with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers across parts of the country today and Friday. Weather forecaster Tokelo Chiloane says with changing weather conditions, travellers are encouraged to prioritise safety on the roads, particularly in areas prone to thunderstorms and reduced visibility:

News from abroad:

# United Nations Trade and Development warns the shockwaves from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz could slow global growth. The closure of the strait as a result of the US-Israeli joint military strikes against Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure, has sent energy prices soaring. The UN says there has been a 95-percent drop in traffic through the strait, from around 130 ships a day to just six last month. It adds higher energy prices risk pushing up living costs.

# Cricket: Batter Rassie van der Dussen has ended his Proteas career. The 37-year-old started playing for South Africa in 2018 and scored a total of four-thousand-968 runs in all formats since. Van der Dussen says he retires from the international game with a proud heart and a profound sense of gratitude, describing playing for his country as the greatest honour of his life. Cricket South Africa’s director of national teams, Enoch Nkwe, says his legacy in the green and gold extends beyond his on-field performances.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-96-cents and the euro at 19-rand-55-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-39-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-389-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-627-dollars-26-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 106-dollars-33-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….