News 18:00

BULLETIN 20 March 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Madlanga Commission postpones the testimony of Julius Mkhwanazi following the death of his mother
# Aaron Motsoaledi asks for more recognition for the efforts of public hospitals
# And, the American martial artist and Hollywood action star Chuck Norris has died at the age of 86

# The Madlanga Commission has postponed the testimony date of suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi to April 14 following the death of his mother. His lawyer, Nkosana Khumalo, confirmed funeral arrangements will take place tomorrow, with additional ceremonies in the coming days. Mkhwanazi was expected to return to the Commission after eye surgery, while his legal team requested more time to prepare as the inquiry probes allegations of misconduct, including blue-light abuse and links to criminal activity.

# Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi says public hospitals deserve greater credit following the successful separation of the Sithole twins. Speaking in Mankweng Hospital in Limpopo, Motsoaledi warned that a negative narrative has overshadowed the sector, despite capable medical professionals and life-saving interventions. Motsoaledi highlighted the need for improved facilities, and reaffirmed government efforts to strengthen academic hospitals and expand capacity to ensure equitable, accessible, and affordable care for all citizens:

# The South African National Civic Organisation in Tshwane has suspended its election mobilisation activities. The organisation says communities continue to face deep poverty, high unemployment, rising living costs and ongoing service delivery challenges. It added residents feel ignored outside of election periods. SANCO’s regional secretary, Evelyn Matlaila, calls for meaningful engagement with the ANC-led coalition, greater community representation in governance, and tangible improvements in people’s lives before they can reconsider their position:

Tennis:  Iga Swiatek crashed out of the Miami Open second round on Thursday as 50th-ranked fellow Pole Magda Linette fought back for a 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory over the six-time Grand Slam champion. It is the latest disappointment for the reigning Wimbledon champion, who was eliminated in the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and in the WTA 1000 events in Doha and Indian Wells. Although she was seeded second for Miami, Swiatek dropped this week to third in the world as Indian Wells finalist Elena Rybakina moved up behind top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-2-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-62-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-66-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-156-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-574-dollars-17-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 105-dollars-18-cents a barrel.

# And lastly, The American martial artist and Hollywood action star Chuck Norris has died at the age of 86. His family said he died on Thursday morning surrounded by his family and at peace. Born in Oklahoma in 1940, he served in the United States Air Force before rising to fame as a star of martial arts. His big screen break came after meeting martial arts film star Bruce Lee, who he fought in 1972’s Way Of The Dragon. He is best known for playing Cordell “Cord” Walker in the long-running television series Walker, Texas Ranger.

Stay tuned for more news………….