News 12:00

BULLETIN 6 February 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# OUTA slams AARTO’s system as being flawed and impractical 
# T-L-U S-A accuses the ANC of buying votes by increasing the minimum wage
# And Cricket: The knock-out round of the S-A-20 starts today

# The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse says concerns are mounting over the rollout of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences system, indicating potential challenges for municipalities. In Swellendam in the Western Cape, a report presented at a council meeting indicates potential revenue losses of up to seven-million-rand due to AARTO. OUTA’s Andrea van Heerden argues the financial strain extends to traffic services, with projected losses ranging from 3.7-million- to over five-million-rand, raising fears of service disruptions and staff reductions:

# Agricultural union TLU SA is accusing the ANC of trying to buy votes by increasing the minimum wage, instead of focusing on job creation. Government is increasing the national minimum wage by 8.5-percent to 27-rand-58-cents an hour, effective from the first of next month. This decision was made on the advice and recommendations of the National Minimum Wage Commission. TLU SA’s Bennie van Zyl says the increase in the minimum wage will lead to more retrenchments:

# National Ports Authority has appointed F-F-S Tank Terminal to develop and operate a liquid bulk terminal, specialising in bunker fuels, on a brownfield site at the Port of Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal. The company handles products such as heavy fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas, coal tar fuel, and distillate fuel oil. The 25-year concession will see FFS Tank Terminal take over the terminal previously operated by Engen.

# Cricket: The knock-out rounds of the SA20 starts today. In the first qualifier, the top-two teams on the log, defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Durban’s Super Giants, will do battle in Cape Town this evening. The winner goes straight through to Saturday’s final, also at Newlands. The loser will face the winner of tomorrow’s eliminator in Thursday’s second qualifier. The eliminator will be played at the Wanderers in Johannesburg between Paarl Royals and Joburg Super Kings, who ended in third and fourth place, respectively.

# And finally: The Randburg Harriers Running Club is gearing up for its annual Valentine’s Day Fun Run next week Friday. The ten-kilometre night run, set to traverse the scenic routes of Randburg, is open to participants aged 15 and above. The club’s spokesperson, Buwi Moeketsi, says attendees are encouraged to dress up in their most enchanting outfits and let’s see who catches Cupid’s eye. She says the event aims to celebrate the spirit of love and community.

Stay tuned for more news………….