News 18:00
BULLETIN 19 April 6 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Gupta gang members are sentenced to seven life sentences for the Khayelitsha mass shooting
# Recruitment efforts yields positive result in the appointment of over two-thousand health professionals
# And roadrunning: The top three in the controversial Beijing half marathon are stripped of their medals
# The High Court in Cape Town has sentenced two members of the so-called Gupta gang, Gcinithemba Bheja and Fundile Maseti, to seven life terms and 45 years direct imprisonment following their conviction for a mass shooting in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, four-years ago. The court found them guilty of multiple murders, attempted murders, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. The sentences will run concurrently. The National Prosecuting Authority’s Eric Ntabazalila says this sentencing sends a strong message against gang violence:
# The Department of Health says recruitment efforts are ongoing to activate unfunded vacant posts and recruit more health workers to contribute meaningfully to the public health system. Over two-thousand health professionals were appointed between January and March. The department continues to work closely with provincial Health Departments to recruit more health workers to address staffing needs in the public health system. The department’s Foster Mohale hopes the appointments will fill critical vacant positions across the country:
# Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi hailed Tehran’s unprecedented retaliatory attack on Israel almost a week ago, but did not mention explosions heard in his country’s central region this week. World leaders called for de-escalation, after United States media quoted officials saying Israel had carried out retaliatory strikes on Iran after the Islamic Republic’s missile and drone attack against Israel. In Raisi’s speech, he made no reference to the blasts, and there has been no official reaction either from Iranian or Israeli officials.
# Roadrunning: The top three in Sunday’s Beijing half marathon have been stripped of their medals. This follows an investigation into the finish that saw China’s He Jie controversially win. He crossed the line first in a bizarre finish after the Kenyans Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat, and Dejene Hailu from Ethiopia, seemed to deliberately allow him to win. Footage of the conclusion to the race went viral. Organisers say the trophies, medals and bonuses will be recovered.
# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-13-cents and the euro at 20-rand-42-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-83-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-912-dollars-15-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-388-dollars-59-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 87-dollars-49-cents a barrel.
# And finally: The risk of terrorist financing in South Africa’s non-profit organisation sector is deemed medium, per a collaborative report. Key threats include I-S, Al-Shabaab, and domestic extremists. Vulnerabilities include NPOs operated by individuals with terrorist links and those in high-risk areas. The report compiled by government and private sector partners forms part of the country’s tasks to get South Africa off the greylist. It seeks to guide efforts to combat terrorist financing and achieve regulatory compliance. The assessment informs targeted measures to mitigate risks and protect the sector.
Stay tuned for more news………….