News 11:00

BULLETIN 24 February 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The National Treasury backs a review of the central bank’s inflation target
# An American spaceship lies face down on the Moon after a dramatic touchdown
# And, boxing: Minister Kodwa announces an accounting official for Boxing South Africa

# The National Treasury has expressed support for reviewing the Reserve Bank’s inflation target to enhance competitiveness and mitigate the adverse impact of price growth on the impoverished. Currently, the central bank’s target band is three- to six-percent, with a preference for inflation to be anchored at the midpoint. The National Treasury’s endorsement of the review reflects the ongoing discourse surrounding monetary policy and its implications for economic stability and growth. The Reserve Bank’s next rate decision is on 27 March.

# DA leader John Steenhuisen has denied allegations made by former DA Gauteng leader and Xiluva party founder Bongani Baloyi regarding the practice of cadre deployment in the party. Baloyi claims senior municipal appointments required approval from the DA federal executive committee, a practice Steenhuisen has refuted:

# The Special Investigating Unit will scrutinise procurement practices and payments in the Free State’s Public Works and Human Settlements departments, and the provincial legislature. This follows after president Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the unit to probe alleged corruption, fraud, and maladministration in the province. Spokesperson Kaiser Kganyago says they will focus on improper conduct, unlawful expenditure, and irregular transactions. Evidence of criminal conduct will be forwarded to the National Prosecuting Authority.

# The first American spaceship on the Moon since Apollo probably face-planted into the dirt after catching on a rock during its dramatic landing. The company that built it says Odysseus landed near the lunar south pole after a nail-biting final descent with ground teams switching to a backup guidance system. It took several minutes to establish radio contact after the lander came to rest. AFP reports it is lying on one side and this took some shine off the accomplishment which was widely hailed as a historic achievement. NASA scientific experiments could still be working.

# And, the minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Zizi Kodwa has declared Boxing South Africa’s acting CEO Mandla Ntlanganiso as the new accounting official, effective from today. This appointment, endorsed by the National Treasury, aims to provide clarity to stakeholders and assurance to promoters and boxers that all sanctioned fights will proceed as planned. Ministry spokesperson Litha Mpondwana says Kodwa pledges to address legal matters swiftly, working to restore good corporate governance:

Stay tuned for more news………….