News 14:00

BULLETIN 11 March 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The IEC faces scrutiny over an election candidate data breach 
# Eskom puts greater investment towards planned maintenance 
# And figure skating: The National Championships gets underway in Cape Town

# The Information Regulator is urging the Independent Electoral Commission to provide more details about a security breach involving the unauthorised release of the ANC and the Umkhonto we Sizwe Party’s candidate lists for the elections. The regulator received two notifications from the IEC but deemed them insufficient under the Protection of Personal Information Act. It has requested proof of notification to affected parties and measures taken to protect data subjects’ information. They seek to determine if the IEC has fulfilled its obligations under the act.

Meanwhile, the Azanian People’s Organisation’s central committee says the party is resolute and determined to make a success of the elections on the 29th of May. The party is set to launch its election manifesto in Bekkersdal on the Gauteng West Rand on the 24th of this month. AZAPO’s spokesperson, Jabu Rakwena, says their election campaigning programme is already in motion and is focused on the importance of the effective use of the power of the vote:

# Eskom has moved to add greater investment towards planned maintenance. This is in line with recommendations made in an international report commissioned by National Treasury. Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa briefed the media on the Energy Action Plan this morning. He says he is confident in the work done so far towards returning the power utility to sustainability:

# Palestinians have commenced the Holy Month of Ramadan amidst a challenging situation due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The shortage of humanitarian aid is exacerbating the difficulties faced by Palestinians, who are observing Ramadan with fasting, prayer, and community events. This has led to renewed fears of violence in Jerusalem, as thousands of Muslims are expected to visit one of Islam’s holiest sites, the al-Aqsa mosque. Thousands of police have been deployed around the Old City in Jerusalem to maintain security.

# Figure skating: The South African National Figure Skating Championships are taking place at The Ice Station at Grandwest in Cape Town today until Wednesday. Today, the public can watch short programmes featuring solo dance patterns and rhythm dance from two in the afternoon until ten in the evening. Tomorrow, there will be more solo dances and synchronised skating, culminating in the prizegiving ceremony for all sections except dance. On Wednesday, the competition ends with more figure skating. Tickets cost 75-rand per person today and tomorrow, and 50-rand on Wednesday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-67-cents and the euro at 20-rand-43-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-99-cents and Bitcoin trades at 71-thousand-804-dollars-97-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-178-dollars-84-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-9-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….