News 18:00

BULLETIN 4 June 6 pm

Good morning/afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Public Protector finds courts are failing gender-based violence victims
# Heavy rains in the Greater Oudtshoorn area causes dangerous road conditions 
# And cricket:  Rahul Dravid won’t stay on as India’s coach after the T20 World Cup 

# The Public Protector has found the Department of Justice lacking in measures to protect gender-based violence victims. Kholeka Gcaleka reported that 38 courts investigated are inefficiently run, failing to provide proper protection orders and solve cases, leading to increased GBV incidents. Gcaleka also noted poor filing systems and language barriers contribute to poor service delivery. She calls for better assistance for victims seeking protection orders:

Meanwhile, a ministerial task team has proposed the establishment of an offenders’ register to record the names of staff and students found guilty of gender-based violence at universities across the country. The task team was appointed by former Higher Education minister Naledi Pandor in May 2019. It looked at measures to ensure sexual offenders do not escape justice and repeat offences at other institutions. The database would allow institutions to make an informed decision when hiring a candidate or admitting a student.

# Heavy rains in the Greater Oudtshoorn area have caused dangerous road conditions, with several roads closed due to flooding. Motorists are urged to drive cautiously and avoid low-water bridges and flooded areas. Meirings Poort and Swartberg Pass are closed, and rock falls have been reported on the N12 between George and Oudtshoorn. The Cango Caves are still open, but access roads are hazardous. Further disruptive rains are expected, and the public will be kept updated on flood damages and road conditions.

# The Stop the East African Crude Oil Pipeline Coalition urges the Tanzanian government to stop using police to suppress opposition to the controversial pipeline. This follows after police detained four individuals and a community leader in Hanang district for speaking to the media about the pipeline, poor compensation and intimidation tactics. Campaign coordinator, Zaki Mamdoo calls on the government to stop the harassment and urges China and France to address the associated injustices:

# Cricket: Rahul Dravid announced his departure as head coach of India after the current T20 World Cup. The former international batter says he will not re-apply for the position which was advertised by governing body BCCI last month. Fifty-one-year-old Dravid led India to the finals of the World Test Championship and the 50-over World Cup last year, losing to Australia on both occasions. His country hasn’t won any international tournament since 2013. India’s T20 World Cup campaign starts against Ireland tomorrow.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-65-cents and the euro at 20-rand-27-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-82-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-45-dollars-86-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-317-dollars-65-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-45-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….