News 13:00

BULLETIN 14 April 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# NotInMyName condemns the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl in Gauteng
# A Rea Vaya bus service disruption leaves Johannesburg commuters stranded
# And cricket: Punjab is now the only undefeated IPL team after Rajasthan was humiliated in Hyderabad

# NotInMyName condemns the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl in Dobsonville, Soweto, describing it as a grave violation of a child’s rights, dignity, and safety. The organisation’s Boitumelo Thage calls on law enforcement authorities to act swiftly and ensure the 58-year-old accused faces the full force of the law if found guilty. She urges communities to remain calm and support the justice process while reaffirming their stand against gender-based violence:

Build One South Africa’s leader, Mmusi Maimane, has also condemned the alleged rape. He told eNCA this heinous act is yet another warning of the human cost of government’s continued inaction in making the Sex Offenders Register fully public and accessible. He reiterates calls for the maximum sentence:

# Johannesburg commuters have been left frustrated after Rea Vaya bus services were halted this morning, affecting routes in Soweto, Parktown and Braamfontein. The disruption has impacted key travel corridors into and out of the CBD, leaving passengers stranded and forced to seek alternative transport. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the suspension or when operations will resume. The City of Johannesburg is expected to provide an update as commuters continue to experience delays and inconvenience.

# Cricket: Punjab Kings are now the only undefeated team left in the Indian Premier League after Rajasthan Royals’ unblemished record came to a stuttering halt. Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a very competitive 216 for six and immediately struck when Praful Hinge claimed three wickets in his very first over. Rajasthan was tethering on nine for five when South African Donovan Ferreira and Ravindra Jadeja built an 118-run sixth-wicket partnership. But that wasn’t enough, and Hyderabad won by 57 runs. Rajasthan is still top of the log, and Punjab second.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-35-cents and the euro at 19-rand-28-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-14-cents and Bitcoin trades at 74-thousand-775-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-786-dollars-42-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 95-dollars-29-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The South African Weather Service says scattered to widespread showers and thundershowers over the central and eastern parts of the country are expected to persist throughout the week. There is a high likelihood of minor impacts due to severe thunderstorms that are expected over the extreme southern part of Limpopo, Gauteng and the Mpumalanga Highveld. The service says these conditions may cause localised damage to infrastructure, informal settlements, property, vehicles, livelihood and livestock. 

Stay tuned for more news………….