News 16:00

BULLETIN 22 May 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A South African activist alleges Israeli forces tortured him over his nationality
# Rare rainfall boosts Cape Town’s dam levels to 71-percent in just one week
# And soccer: Haaland and Odegaard are the big names in Norway’s World Cup squad

# South African activist Ebrahim Peters claims he was tortured by Israeli forces because of his nationality after being detained during a Gaza-bound humanitarian mission. He was among six members of Global Sumud Flotilla South Africa who were stopped at sea. The group has since been released and is expected back in South Africa tomorrow. Peters says they were detained in international waters and held without charge in Israel:

# Cape Town’s dam levels have risen by about 20-percent within a week following unusually intense rainfall, pushing storage to 71-percent. This has moved the city out of the early drought caution stage, although residents are still being urged to use water responsibly. Mayoral committee member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, warns the unusual rainfall does not guarantee an ongoing good water supply, and says water use remains high.

# The Gauteng Department of Health is intensifying measures to strengthen payroll controls, improve consequence management, and ensure that public funds are protected and used responsibly. The department has lost 11.5-million-rand to ghost employees, while simultaneously paying millions more who are on extended precautionary suspensions. To date, 24 suspected and confirmed ghost employees have been identified on the payroll. The department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, says the delivery of healthcare services must be protected:

# ActionSA’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Xolani Khumalo, will formally approach the Gauteng Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Jacob Mamabolo, following mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza alleged failure to table a report on city manager Kagiso Lerutla. Lerutla was arrested last month on charges of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice. Khumalo’s spokesperson, Tumelo Tshabalala, says Xhakaza violated the Municipal Systems Act:

# Soccer: Manchester City’s striker, Erling Haaland, and Martin Odegaard of Arsenal are the big names in Norway’s squad for the World Cup, announced by King Harald. Odegaard was named captain. This year will be the first time in the tournament for the country since 1998. Norway qualified by winning all eight qualifying matches in a group that included four-time champion Italy. Manager Stale Solbakken says although they are in a very tough group alongside France, Senegal and Iraq, he believes they have a strong squad.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-43-cents and the euro at 19-rand-7-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-6-cents and Bitcoin trades at 77-thousand-431-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-528-dollars-12-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 100-dollars-63-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….