News 16:00

BULLETIN 4 April 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is granted 50-thousand-rand bail 
# ActionSA and other parties vow to adhere to the Electoral Code of Conduct
# And rugby: Jake White again says overseas-based Springboks must return to South Africa

# Former National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has been granted 50-thousand-rand bail by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court. She is accused of receiving kickbacks of more than two-million-rand. The state did not oppose bail, citing her medical condition and voluntary surrender to police. Magistrate Anna Oosthuizen granted bail, stating Mapisa-Nqakula satisfied the court her release was in the interest of justice:

# ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba, along with all parties taking part in the election on 29 May, pledged his party’s adherence to the Electoral Code of Conduct. Speaking after the signing at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Johannesburg, Mashaba expressed excitement for their first participation in a general election, urging voters to choose a government prioritising South Africans. He emphasises selecting a party focused on action to address South Africa’s challenges:

Meanwhile, the Policy Uncertainty Index in South Africa has worsened to 65.8-percent in the first quarter, down from 65.5-percent in the prior quarter. North West University attributes the decline to concerns over election outcomes, with opinion polls suggesting potential ANC support below 50-percent. The rise of new parties and the likelihood of coalition governance further add to uncertainty, impacting investor confidence and market stability.

# Over 600 members of the British legal profession, including three former Supreme Court judges, urged their government to stop arms sales to Israel. They believe it could make the country complicit to genocide in Gaza. Reuters reports prime minister Rishi Sunak is under growing pressure to halt the sales after three British nationals were among seven aid workers killed by Israeli soldiers this week. The lawyers say the provision of military assistance to Jerusalem may constitute serious breaches of international humanitarian law.

# Rugby: The Bulls are preparing to host French club Lyon in a Champions Cup clash at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday. They will hope to bounce back quickly after a heavy defeat to Leinster in Dublin last Friday. Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, once again called for overseas-based Springboks to return to South Africa to make the domestic game stronger:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-69-cents and the euro at 20-rand-29-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-65-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-599-dollars-9-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-286-dollars-43-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 89-dollars-21-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….