News 7:00

BULLETIN 3 May 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Fuel prices are set to drop next week
# Joslin Smith’s grandmother still seeks answers despite the guilty verdict
# And, Netcare reaffirms commitment to Johannesburg Metro Police Department emergency care

# The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has announced a decrease in fuel prices, effective from Wednesday. Both grades of petrol will go down by 22-cents per litre, and diesel will drop by up to 42-cents per litre, while illuminating paraffin will be 31-cents cheaper. However, the department’s Robert Maake says LP gas will increase by 46-cents per kilogram:

# Joslin Smith’s paternal grandmother, Rita Yon, has welcomed the guilty verdict by the Western Cape High Court in Saldanha Bay. Judge Nathan Erasmus found the seven-year-old’s mother, Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking. The court ruled the trio trafficked Joslin for exploitation. However, Yon says she remains deeply concerned that Joslin’s whereabouts are still unknown:

# Netcare has reaffirmed its commitment to critical emergency care following reports regarding the treatment of a Johannesburg Metro Police Department officer. According to Netcare managing director, Erich Bock, the officer received immediate lifesaving care at Netcare Milpark Hospital on Wednesday and was later transferred for further treatment. Bock confirmed full support for the officer and his family. He says that while Netcare acknowledged outstanding payments from the City of Johannesburg, it remains in talks with the City to resolve the matter and ensure service continuity.

# Australians will vote today to pick their next government, deciding a hard-fought election shaped by living costs, climate anxiety and Trump tariffs. They will choose between left-leaning incumbent Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and conservative challenger Peter Dutton. A slew of opinion polls leading up to election day indicate Albanese’s governing Labour Party will win a second term. A total of 18.1-million voters have enrolled for the election. Voting is compulsory, enforced with fines of around 238-rand, leading to turnouts that top 90-percent.

# And we end with cricket news: Ben Stokes was given the all-clear to captain England in their one-off Test against Zimbabwe later this month as he was named in a 13-man squad. The 33-year-old all-rounder has been recovering from hamstring surgery after breaking down in New Zealand in December, his second hamstring tear in five months. Stokes is set to skipper England in the opening Test of their home season, which is a four-day game rather than the standard five, at Trent Bridge from 22 to 25 May.

Stay tuned for more news………….