News 15:00

BULLETIN 21 February 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA promises to end cadre deployment if it’s elected
# Metals and engineering output is up 1.7-percent but still below the 2008 period
# And Rugby: The mystery of the misfiring Sharks

# DA leader John Steenhuisen says the party is commited to end the cadre deployment policy if elected to government. This follows the High Court in Pretoria dismissing the party’s case against the ANC’s cadre deployment policy, with costs. Steenhuisen contends that the policy facilitated state capture and systemic corruption, deeming it unlawful and unconstitutional. He says the silver bullet for cadre deployment is voting the ANC out:

# The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa has released the State of the Metals and Engineering Sector Report 2024. The report reveals a slight increase of 1.7-percent in 2023 from 1.5-percent in 2022. The report however notes an 18-percent gap from pre-2008 levels. Seifsa chief operating officer, Tafadzwa Chibanguza, warns of persistent risks including load-shedding, logistical challenges, and global conflicts, complicating sector recovery.

# The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union is urging the Department of Correctional Services to fast-track the process of terminating the contract with G-4-S Security at Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein, Free State. The facility became popular in May 2022 when convicted Facebook rapist and murderer Thabo Bester made a daring escape. Popcru’s spokesperson, Richard Mamabolo, says the department had to extend the contract by three months:

# Rugby: It has been a nightmare season for the Sharks, who are bottom of the United Rugby Championship table, with just one victory and nine defeats. Coach John Plumtree says he knows that these results are not in line with the expectations of such a strong squad full of Springbok stars. The former All-Black assistant coach acknowledges that this season has been frustrating, but is adamant that things will be better next season:

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-91-cents and the euro at 20-rand-42-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-85-cents and Bitcoin trades at 51-thousand-122-dollars-30-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-and-27-dollars-57-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-80-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Comic-Con Cape Town, the highly anticipated celebration of pop culture, is making a return to the Mother City from the 27th of April to the first of May this year. The likes of international comic book icon, Dan Didio, and Durban-local, Anand Ramcheron, who has contributed artwork to the Marvel: Crisis Protocol board game, will be in attendance. Organisers say Comic Con Cape Town offers something for everyone, from hardcore fans to casual enthusiasts. Tickets are available from 190-rand.

Stay tuned for more news………….