News 15:00

BULLETIN 2 May 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Kelly Smith and co-accused found guilty in Joslin Smith case
# Cape Town urges government to intervene in US tariff threat to boatbuilding
# And, the PSA warns of job losses and system collapse if Home Affairs ditches SITA

# The Western Cape High Court in Saldanha Bay has found Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis, and friend Steveno van Rhyn guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking in connection with the disappearance of Joslin Smith. Joslin vanished from her Middelpos home on 19 February 2024. Judge Nathan Erasmus ruled the state proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. Erasmus is yet to announce a sentencing date:

# The City of Cape Town has written to the Trade, Industry and Competition minister, Parks Tau, expressing concern over the potential imposition of a significant tariff by the US on boat imports from South Africa. Under new adjustments to the Trump-era tariff structure, boats imported from a range of countries may face duties of up to 30-percent. Mayoral committee member for Economic Growth, James Vos, says the proposed tariffs pose an existential threat to an industry that supports over three-thousand direct jobs:

# The Public Servants Association calls for urgent intergovernmental dialogue to prevent the Department of Home Affairs from separating from the State Information Technology Agency. The union argues the split threatens to weaken state capacity and public service delivery and urges the department to resolve issues through existing channels. The association’s Claude Naiker warns that severing ties could result in revenue losses, job insecurity, and greater reliance on costly private contractors.

# India’s National Human Rights Commission is investigating reports that more than 100 children fell ill after eating a school lunch allegedly contaminated by a dead snake in Mokama, Bihar. The cook reportedly removed the snake but still served the meal to around 500 students. Several children were hospitalised, prompting angry protests from parents and villagers. The commission has demanded a detailed report within two weeks, citing serious human rights concerns.

# Rugby: Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane is calling on communities to come out in their numbers to support the Rugby Championship’s Under-20 tournament in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. Mabuyane says the Junior Springboks will play on Eastern Cape soil in an international fixture, competing against the future stars of Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand in this prestigious tournament:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-37-cents and the euro at 20-rand-85-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-45-cents and Bitcoin trades at 96-thousand-995-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-267-dollars-33-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 61-dollars-44-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….