News 13:00

BULLETIN 25 April 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Stats SA says post-matric graduates are slipping into poverty
# The Gauteng emergency services issue a weather alert warning against heavy rain
# And King Charles will attend a 9/11 event with mayor Zohran Mamdani

# A new Statistics South Africa report has revealed that post-matric graduates are increasingly slipping into poverty. Speaking to SABC News, StatsSA’s Patricia Koka says unemployment remains lower for graduates compared to less educated groups nationally. Koka, however, added that poverty has declined between 2006 and 2023, dropping from 27-million to 23-million. She says Gauteng records a slight increase but remains among provinces with the lowest poverty levels alongside the Western Cape:

# KwaZulu-Natal premier Thami Ntuli has described Tuesday’s mass murder of seven members of the Monswamy family as inhumane, unfortunate, and senseless. The family was kidnapped, robbed, and killed, and their bodies were later found near Melmoth. Three suspects will appear in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, while police search for a fourth. He hailed the use of technology in finding the suspects and emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring justice:

# Gauteng Emergency Medical Services has urged residents to remain cautious as severe thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected through the weekend. The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for possible flooding, hail, and strong winds. EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi warns motorists to avoid flooded roads and low-lying bridges, while residents are advised to stay indoors and report emergencies as authorities remain on high alert:

# Milk River Security and anti-poaching director, Schoeman van Jaarsveld, has died after being attacked by a black rhino while on duty in the Eastern Cape. The incident happened at the Samara Karoo Reserve, near Graaff-Reinet, during a routine wildlife protection operation aimed at preventing rhino poaching. According to reports, emergency teams responded quickly, but the 58-year-old Van Jaarsveld succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Authorities say investigations are underway. Meanwhile, conservation teams have highlighted the dangers faced by rangers working to protect endangered wildlife.

# New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani will participate in a 9/11 memorial wreath-laying ceremony with Britain’s King Charles when he visits next week. The memorial marks the site of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the Twin Towers. Some 67 Britons were among at least two-thousand-606 people who died in the attack. King Charles will deliver an address ‌before ⁠Congress, the first by a British monarch since Queen Elizabeth II spoke in 1991. The trip comes amid strained US relations with Britain. President Donald Trump earlier told the BBC ⁠he believes King Charles could help repair Washington’s relationship with London.

# And cricket: Virat Kohli led the way for the Royal Challengers Bangalore as they chased down the Gujarat Titans’ total of 205 for three with ridiculous ease to win their Indian Premier League match by five wickets in Bengaluru on Friday evening. Thirty-seven-year-old Kohli was as good as ever during his 81 from just 44 balls with eight fours and four sixes. The result moves RCB up to second on the log with five wins and ten points from their seven matches, while Gujarat remains in seventh place with three wins and six points from their seven matches.

Stay tuned for more news………….