News 14:00

BULLETIN 15 April 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Ronald Lamola says Taiwan’s liason office must move to Johannesburg to honour the One China policy
# An education activist says the killing of a student at Walter Sisulu University is a cause for great concern
# And soccer: Virgil van Dijk expects a big summer for Liverpool in the transfer market

# The government has ordered Taiwan to relocate its liaison office from Pretoria to Johannesburg, reaffirming its commitment to the One China policy. International Relations and Cooperation minister Ronald Lamola says this move aligns with South Africa’s long-standing foreign policy and global consensus that recognises Beijing’s sovereignty over Taiwan. Taiwan has resisted the relocation, citing budgetary concerns, but Lamola insists host countries have the right to decide where foreign missions are based. Discussions between the two parties are still ongoing.

# Education activist Hendrick Makaneta says he is outraged and deeply saddened by the tragic shooting at Walter Sisulu University in Mthata in the Eastern Cape that claimed the life of a student and left three others injured. He says the shooting is a reminder that South Africa has failed to provide students with the safe and secure environment they deserve. Makaneta condemns this senseless act of violence in the strongest possible terms:

# The City of Cape says it will have a zero-tolerance approach in addressing all forms of criminal activity during the Easter Weekend. In the past week, the metro’s enforcement agencies made 311 arrests, a 21-percent increase week on week. Mayoral committee member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says residents and visitors to the metro must put their safety first at all times, but especially over the holiday periods:

# Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi has called for a transformation in the mindset of African leaders, urging them to invest in and strengthen local health systems. Speaking at the G20 High Level Ministerial Dialogue, Motsoaledi emphasised that health should be viewed as an investment. He criticised the practice of seeking medical treatment abroad:

# Soccer: Virgil van Dijk says he expects a big summer for Liverpool in the transfer market as he reportedly closes in on a deal that will secure his future at Anfield. Arne Slot’s men are on the brink of a record-equalling 20th English league title after Sunday’s 2-1 victory at home to West Ham, in which Van Dijk scored the winner. Van Dijk’s own future is likely to be secured later this week, with the announcement of a two-year contract to match Mohamed Salah’s new deal.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-85-cents and the euro at 21-rand-38-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-96-cents and Bitcoin trades at 85-thousand-754-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-223-dollars-93-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-24-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….