News 16:00

BULLETIN 28 May 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cape Forum urges a focus on drug abuse in the Joslin Smith sentencing procedures
# Cricket: Virat Kohli wants to finally win the IPL
# And World Hunger Day shines a spotlight on the global food crisis

# Cape Forum is urging the court and media to highlight the role of drug abuse, especially tik, as the sentencing procedures of Kelly Smith and her co-accused continues at the Western Cape High Court sitting in Saldanha Bay. They were found guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking of Smith’s young daughter, Joslin. Cape Forum’s chairperson, Heindrich Wyngaard, says they plan a demonstration at the court, and argues that addressing tik abuse is crucial to preventing similar tragedies in future:

# The Road Accident Fund’s CEO, Collins Letsoalo, has been placed on special leave with immediate effect. He is accused of being involved in a controversial 79-million-rand lease deal for RAF offices in Johannesburg, Gauteng. The RAF board says the move is a precautionary step and not a sign of wrongdoing while the Special Investigating Unit conducts the investigation. Transport department spokesperson Collen Msibi says Phathutshedzo Lukhwareni will take over as acting CEO.

# Union Giwusa demands immediate implementation of the National Health Insurance and nationalised healthcare under workers’ and communities’ control. Giwusa president, Mametlwe Sebei says the general household survey report shows that only 15.5-percent of the population have medical aid. He says this means 84.5-percent are left to suffer in a collapsing public health system, where hospitals and clinics have been gutted by underfunding, corruption and mismanagement:

# Cricket: Virat Kohli can fulfil his dream of finally winning the Indian Premier League when the playoffs begin this week, desperate to banish the heartbreak of losing the final as captain nine years ago. Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru face table-toppers Punjab Kings in tomorrow’s first qualifier after securing second place. The winner goes straight into Tuesday’s final in Ahmedabad. Even if Bengaluru lose that encounter, they will have another chance to reach the final against the winners of Friday’s eliminator between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-91-cents and the euro at 20-rand-27-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-13-cents and Bitcoin trades at 109-thousand-73-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-308-dollars-99-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-23-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Today marks World Hunger Day, raising awareness and inspire action against global hunger. Launched by The Hunger Project in 2011, it highlights that 2.4-billion people face food insecurity with approximately 22-percent of South African’s facing hunger. The day calls for sustainable solutions, including investing in agriculture, empowering small farmers, and addressing climate change. With the United Natons aiming to end hunger by 2030, World Hunger Day urges global unity to ensure no one goes to bed hungry.

Stay tuned for more news………….