News 18:00

BULLETIN 1 April 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# An accused in the murder of the Soshanguve patrollers abandons bail
# The Public Works minister commits to expediting infrastructure delivery
# And soccer: Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is out of action for up to seven weeks

# A Zimbabwean national accused of murdering six Soshanguve patrollers has abandoned his bail application in the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court. The 27-year-old faces multiple charges, including murder, attempted murder, and robbery. Authorities allege he was part of a group that attacked the patrollers. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana says the accused remains in custody:

# The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is set to expedite service delivery to transform South Africa into a construction site. Speaking at the Public Works and Infrastructure summit in Sandton, Johannesburg, minister Dean Macpherson emphasised the need for action over words, highlighting the challenges of past delays and inefficiencies in public infrastructure projects. The minister called for innovative approaches and fresh thinking to tackle corruption, procurement issues, and project delays, ensuring quality infrastructure for communities:

# The South African Medical Association has launched a legal challenge against the National Health Insurance Act, citing concerns over its feasibility and impact on doctors, patients, and the healthcare system. They argue the act introduces bureaucratic barriers that limit access to care and lack clarity on essential services, procurement, and patient registration. The association’s chairperson Mvuyisi Mzukwa warns private doctors will face unrealistic workload increases while earning less:

# Soccer: Manchester City’s star striker, Erling Haaland, could be out of action for up to seven weeks after suffering an ankle injury. The Norwegian left the field during Sunday’s FA Cup quarterfinal victory over Bournemouth. Manager Pep Guardiola says they hope Haaland can return by the end of the season and in time for the Club World Cup. City currently sits in fifth position in the Premier League and is still in the race for a spot in the Champions League.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-38-cents and the euro at 19-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 82-thousand-715-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-127-dollars-38-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-68-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Award-winning director, Sam Mendes, is making four movies about the Beatles, set for theatrical release in April 2028. The films will focus on each band member. Set to star in the films are Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr. Mendes, whose credits include American Beauty and Skyfall, says the movies are a chance to understand the biggest-selling music act of all time a little more deeply.

Stay tuned for more news………….