News 16:00

BULLETIN 7 April 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Tshwane Metro Police’s security clearance gaps raise concerns at the Madlanga commission
# The Public Servants Association demands action on prolonged police suspensions
# And tennis: An easy victory for Sinner in his first match in Monte-Carlo

# Tshwane Metro Police chief Yolande Faro has revealed to the Madlanga commission not all senior deputy officers have security clearance, admitting gaps in vetting processes. She told the inquiry the process is lengthy and handled by the State Security Agency, but stressed it should be compulsory from recruitment. Faro confirmed some deputies failed to undergo clearance, despite requirements, and says vetting must be strengthened:

# The Public Servants Association raised concern over 233 police employees suspended between April 2024 and October last year, many exceeding six months. Spokesperson Claude Naicker warns prolonged suspensions cause financial, reputational, and psychological harm and undermine operational efficiency. He calls on management and labour stakeholders to finalise outstanding cases and enforce expedited dispute resolution under the Labour Relations Act:

ENG NaickerOnPolice

# A viral video of a suspected criminal shot dead after a smash-and-grab on Jakes Gerwel Drive in Cape Town, has reignited fears over mob justice. ActionSA Member of Parliament and member of Parliament’s Police portfolio committee, Dereleen James, says communities are losing faith in the police due to their slow responses, which is leading residents to resort to self-defense. She says the incident shows the rise of vigilante killings and desensitisation to violence. James adds it sparks debates over policing reforms that can tackle the root causes of crime.

# The Gauteng Growth and Development Agency says it’s all systems go ahead of the 2026 Gauteng Investment Conference this week, which aims to secure 200-billion-rand in new investments. Building on the 2025 Investment Conference, which attracted 312.5-billion-rand in pledges, agency spokesperson Muziwethu Mathema says the event focuses on turning commitments into bankable projects. He confirmed the conference expects over one-thousand-800 participants in key sectors including green energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing, supporting the province’s 800-billion-rand investment target over five years.

# Tennis: World number two, Jannik Sinner of Italy, barely broke a sweat before dispatching of Frenchman Ugo Humbert in the first round of the Monte-Carlo Masters. He won 6-3, 6-love within an hour. Sinner will surpass Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in the top position if he lifts the cup on Sunday. Alcaraz won his first match against Argentinian Sebastian Baez. Earlier, Bulgarian veteran Grigor Dimitrov lost to another Argentinian, Tomás Etcheverry, while Italian Matteo Berrettini reached the round of 32 when Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut retired with an injury.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-86-cents and the euro at 19-rand-50-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-36-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-398-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-669-dollars-39-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 107-dollars-30-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….