News 13:00

BULLETIN 1 May 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC calls on eligible voters to register amid election day preparations
# Commissioner Makhubu begins his five-year term at SARS
# And finally, Banksy installs a statue of a flag-wielding man in central London

# The ANC has welcomed the announcement of 4 November 2026 as the date for the Local Government Elections. The party says the declaration provides certainty and allows political organisations and the Independent Electoral Commission to prepare effectively. ANC spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri has urged all eligible voters to participate in the democratic process. She reaffirmed ANC’s commitment to engaging communities and addressing service delivery challenges:

# DA leader, Geordin Hill-Lewis, says South Africa cannot celebrate Workers’ Day while millions remain unemployed. Hill-Lewis highlighted high national unemployment, saying many citizens lack access to work and dignity. Hill-Lewis pointed to lower unemployment in the Western Cape as evidence that governance impacts job creation. He emphasised that economic growth, reliable infrastructure and investor confidence are key to creating jobs and addressing the country’s deepening unemployment crisis:

# The South African Revenue Service Commissioner Johnstone Makhubu five-year term commences today. Makhubu succeeds Edward Kieswetter, whose tenure ended yesterday. Previously serving as Deputy Commissioner since 2023, Makhubu brings over 17 years of leadership experience. He is expected to continue SARS’ modernisation drive and build on reforms aimed at restoring institutional strength.

# The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union has condemned the killing of a crime intelligence officer in Mount Edgecombe, KwaZulu-Natal. The union says the targeted ambush, which also left another officer injured, reflects growing threats against law enforcement. POPCRU has called for urgent improvements in safety measures, resources and intelligence protection. The union also urged authorities to swiftly arrest those responsible, warning that attacks on officers undermine the rule of law and public safety.

# Cricket: India’s governing body, the BCCI, is considering stringent action against Indian Premier League team Rajasthan Royals, its other players and officials after the IPL fined captain Riyan Parag 25-percent of his match fee for vaping in the dressing room. This happended during the match against Punjab Kings. Vaping is illegal in India. Rajasthan’s manager, Ravinder Singh Bhinder, was also recently fined for using a cell phone in the team’s dugout during a match. The IPL says Parag also received one demerit point.

# And finally, Banksy confirmed on Thursday he was behind a large statue depicting a man carrying a flag that has blown into ‌his face on a plinth near the Mall in the ceremonial heart of London. The sculpture bears Banksy’s signature on the plinth. According to a ⁠video posted on the elusive street artist’s Instagram, it was dropped into place from a low-loader. The suited figure, whose sight is obscured by the flag, has one foot over the edge of the plinth, indicating he is about to step off. Commentators are speculating the work ⁠is about blind patriotism.

Stay tuned for more news………….