News 17:00

BULLETIN 9 April 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Madlanga Commission questions weaknesses in Tshwane’s procurement system
# Action Society launches a campaign for the publication of the sex offender register
# And motorsport: Another senior Red Bull figure departs for McLaren

# Madlanga Commission chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga has questioned Tshwane Metro Police director of Assets, Tshukudu Malatji, on weaknesses in procurement systems that allow tender documents to be altered after submission. Testifying on an alleged 2.9-billion-rand tender irregularity, Malatji explained of no knowledge of wrongdoing, however pointed to manual filing systems and open access to documents as potential risks. He suggested moving to electronic systems to prevent tampering and improve transparency:

# Action Society launched a national campaign urging parents to demand the immediate publication of the National Register for Sex Offenders. They submitted a Promotion of Access to Information Act request to gain clarity on the register’s status and accuracy, while urging parents to send formal letters to Justice minister Mmamoloko Kubayi. Action Society’s Juanita du Preez says parents need access to protect children, highlighting over 26-thousand annual child sexual offences in South Africa:

# South Africa’s share equity market has secured the top spot in Bank of America’s latest regional rankings. The report places the country ahead of peers across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, citing strong dividends and attractive valuations. The Government Communication and Information System says the ranking reflects the resilience of local markets against global pressures. Officials maintain that ongoing economic reforms are successfully boosting South Africa’s appeal as a premier destination for international investors.

# Mexican Army divers have rescued a miner from a flooded underground tunnel two weeks after he was first trapped. Francisco Zapata Nájera was stuck 300-metres below ground after an embankment collapsed at the gold mine in the northern state of Sinaloa. The search continues for another miner still missing. Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum praised the Army and Zapata’s faith and resilience, which she said had made the astounding rescue possible. Twenty-five workers were inside the gold mine when the tailings dam burst on 25 March.

# Motorsport: Red Bull’s leading engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, announced his decision to move to McLaren in 2028. The Briton, who is well-known as four-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen’s engineer, will join McLaren in a supporting role for team principal Andrea Stella. Lambiase will become the third senior Red Bull figure to move to McLaren in recent years. Rob Marshall became chief designer in 2024 and Will Courteney became sporting director before this season.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-45-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-23-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-8-cents and Bitcoin trades at 71-thousand-124-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-751-dollars-85-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 95-dollars-47-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….