News 17:00

BULLETIN 8 April 5 pm 

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The IEC affirms Zuma doesn’t meet the criteria for a National Assembly seat
# The Azanian Independent Community Movement withdraws from the national elections
# And, golf: A 75-million-rand first prize for Burmester in the LIV Golf Miami tournament

# The Electoral Commission says former president Jacob Zuma is not eligible to represent the uMkhonto we Sizwe party in the upcoming elections and is disqualified for a National Assembly seat. Despite rainy weather, scores of MK party supporters stand in solidarity with their leader as the party contests Zuma’s disqualification at the Electoral Court sitting at the High Court in Johannesburg. IEC legal counsel, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, told the court Zuma’s 15-month sentence still stands despite the remission he received:

In another development, the Azanian Independent Community Movement has announced its withdrawal from the national elections. Party president Wiseman Dibakwe says they are prepared to support a like-minded party instead. Dibakwe emphasises the importance of backing a party focused on serving the people, especially in North West where his party has a significant presence. The decision comes amidst concerns over high unemployment, economic stagnation, load-shedding, and corruption, which continue to impact the youth, women, and children.

# Judges Matter has urged jurists vying for superior court positions to prioritise the enhancement of the judiciary’s functioning. The Judicial Service Commission is currently conducting the first interviews for various vacancies, including the Constitutional Court, Electoral Court, Land Court, and the North West High Court. Spokesperson Mbekezeli Benjamin says additional jurists will be interviewed for other superior courts nationwide this week:

# Eskom’s Kusile power station in Mpumalanga will shut down three units from October to implement permanent solutions for damaged chimneys. Currently, the four operational units are running with an availability factor above 90-percent. These units, equipped with technology to limit toxic emissions, have been excluded from the list of six power stations requiring special attention. The shutdown schedule includes Unit 1 from the end of November to the end of February, Unit 2 from March 10 to April 26 next year, and Unit 3 from October to the end of November this year.

# Golf: South African Dean Burmester earned a whopping 75-million-rand when he won the LIV Golf Miami tournament in the United States. He defeated Spaniard Sergio Garcia on the second play-off hole at the Trump National Doral for his first LIV title. Both players ended on 11 under after the three rounds. Another South African, Louis Oosthuizen, ended tied seventh on minus seven, while Branden Grace ended on two over and Charl Schwartzel on four over. Burmester was ecstatic over his victory:

# And, the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-57-cents and the euro at 20-rand-13-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-48-cents and Bitcoin trades at 72-thousand-224-dollars-22-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-and-332-dollars-8-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-73-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….