News 17:00

BULLETIN 3 May 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Airline rivals seek FlySafair’s licence suspension amid an ownership dispute
# Kgalema Motlanthe supports a fair disciplinary process for Jacob Zuma
# And rugby: Six Springboks will start for the Sharks in the Challenge Cup semifinal 

# Airlines Lift and Airlink are set to request the domestic Air Service Licensing Council to suspend FlySafair’s operating licence. The request follows a complaint alleging FlySafair’s violation of domestic ownership regulations. The alleged non-compliance stems from changes in its ownership structure, triggering industry concern. FlySafair refutes the claim, and says it is a tactic to undermine customer confidence. The complaint will undergo deliberation next week.

# Former ANC deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe says the disciplinary process against former ANC president Jacob Zuma is a fair procedure. Zuma faces charges of breaching the party’s constitution by endorsing the MK Party. The ANC suspended Zuma in January for actions challenging the party’s integrity. Speaking on the campaign trail in Soweto, Motlanthe said Zuma’s own choices brought about his current predicament:

# Basic Education minister Angie Motshekga says government will continue to build new schools in the country to ensure the infrastructural improvements are in line with the norms and standards of the department. Motshekga handed over the newly constructed Goakganya Primary School in Phasha-Maloka Village in North West today. The department’s spokesperson, Terrence Khala, says the state-of-the-art school in the Bojanala District was built at a cost of over 38-million-rand and features multipurpose classrooms, Grade R classrooms as well as other critical age appropriate facilities:

# The port of Cape Town has received the first of three shipments of Argentinian yellow maize, offering cost savings for Western Cape animal feed manufacturers. The maize, up to 400-rand per ton cheaper than local options, addresses rising prices amid a 19-percent drop in South Africa’s maize production. Importing via Cape Town proves more economical due to high inland transportation costs. Further imports are expected to stabilise prices amidst ongoing market fluctuations.

# Rugby: The Sharks will have a golden opportunity to make history by becoming the first South African team to advance to the Challenge Cup final when they face Clermont in a semifinal in London tomorrow. Head coach John Plumtree has selected a powerful side to take on the French giants. It is an all-Springbok front row consisting of Ox Nché, Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch, with Eben Etzebeth behind them at lock. There are two more Boks in the backline, with Aphelele Fassi at fullback and captain Lukhanyo Am at centre.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-45-cents and the euro at 19-rand-90-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-21-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-408-dollars-41-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-286-dollars-60-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 83-dollars-30-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….