News 14:00

BULLETIN 6 May 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Tshwane monitors the progress on unlawful labour protest cases 
# School governing bodies are urged to support schools amid concerns of discipline and violence 
# And athletics: The SA men’s relay team qualifies for the Olympic Games after the US dominates in Bahamas 

# Tshwane mayoral committee member for Community Safety, Grandi Theunissen, says the city is actively monitoring 47 criminal cases linked to last year’s illegal strike. He says the city is commited to address the matter, urging thorough investigations. Theunissen emphasises consequences for those identified and calls for swift legal action against instigators:

# Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane is urging school governing bodies to play a greater supporting role. This is amid concerns over discipline and violence, exemplified by a recent incident at Glenvista High School in Johannesburg. A teacher and learner were involved in a physical altercation during class and it was caught on camera. Chiloane highlights the need for concerted efforts to address such challenges with the support from SGBs:

# The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority and other health regulators are taking decisive steps to address the alarming rates of codeine abuse in the country. In response to the issue, particularly prevalent among young people, measures are being implemented to closely monitor the dispensing of codeine-containing medications. This initiative mandates pharmacies and other medicine dispensing bodies to digitally record the identity numbers of individuals receiving codeine-based products. Spokesperson Madimetja Mashishi stresses the necessity of this initiative in combatting behaviors such as pharmacy hopping by individuals seeking to abuse codeine.

# India has lifted its five-month ban on onion exports, replacing it with a 40-percent duty on exports. The ban, protested by onion farmers in Maharashtra due to income loss, was lifted after consultations and supply assessments. Consumer Affairs secretary Nidhi Khare explains global supply constraints and El Nino-induced dry spells led to the initial export restrictions. However, market players suggest lifting the ban may not significantly benefit traders.

# Athletics: South Africa’s four by 400 meters relay team qualified for the Olympic Games during the World Relay Championships in the Bahamas that were dominated by America. The United States won four out of the five gold medals on offer. Wayde van Niekerk helped South Africa to win silver in their item, aided by Gardeo Isaacs, Zakithi Nene and Lythe Pillay. Botswana clinched gold after the Americans were disqualified, and Belgium finished third. Van Niekerk says he’s happy to contribute:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-45-cents and the euro at 19-rand-89-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-18-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-169-dollars-37-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-320-dollars-3-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 83-dollars-61-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….