News 11:00

BULLETIN 15th March 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA says the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill paves the way for a more competitive market
# The NPA says its independence in prosecuting state capture cases is unquestionable
# And, the US Senate leader calls for Israel to hold new elections 

# The DA believes the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill is an essential first step in the creation of a competitive electricity market. The bill was passed in the National Assembly yesterday. The legislation seeks to create a new state-owned entity, the Transmission System Operator, which will be responsible for the establishment of an open market platform that allows the competitive trading of electricity. The DA’s Kevin Mileham says it’s vital that the electricity sector is opened up to private sector participation.

# Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions, Anton du Plessis, says the independence of the National Prosecuting Authority to make decisions about the prosecution of state capture cases is unquestionable. He took part in Daily Maverick’s The Gathering 2024 in Cape Town. Du Plessis says the NPA has in the past five years ensured convictions against 700 senior government officials, and enrolled more than 200 cases against some of the most senior public and private officials. He reiterates the NPA has to follow the evidence and not succumb to pressure.

# Gauteng police have discovered four bodies in two separate areas where illegal mining is prevalent. Police spokesperson, Brenda Muridili, says they received information about eight bodies seen in the Florida policing precinct. She says when they searched the area only one body was discovered near the Central Rand Gold Mine in Roodepoort. Muridili says three other bodies were found in Mohlakeng with gunshot wounds:

# US Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer, has called for Israel to hold new elections, saying it is the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of the country. The US has recently voiced frustration with Israel’s approach to its deadly war with Hamas. Schumer says prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lost his way by allowing his political survival to take precedence over the best interests of Israel:

# Rugby: France will face England in their last-round Six Nations match in Lyon with a team unchanged from the one that beat Wales 45-24 last weekend. This means usual fullback Thomas Ramos remains in the number ten jersey following injuries to Matthieu Jalibert and Romain Ntamack. Head coach Fabien Galthie has again chosen six forwards and two back players on the bench in order to counter England’s expected physical threat. England is currently second on the log, four points behind Ireland, with France in fourth place.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-73-cents and the euro at 20-rand-39-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-87-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-249-dollars-72-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-167-dollars-77-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-18-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….