News 11:00

BULLETIN 20 March 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Daniel Silke believes the ANC can still obtain 50-percent in the elections
# The FF Plus criticises president Ramaphosa’s suspension of Dipuo Peters instead of firing her
# And the American Appeals Court puts a hold on Texas’ controversial Immigration Law

# Political analyst, Daniel Silke, says the 29 May general elections are the most consequential since 1994. Today marks 70 days until the elections. The Brenthurst Foundation’s latest poll is one of many that have the ANC falling below 50-percent. Silke says should the ANC run an above-expectation campaign, which motivates its splintering support base to return to the fold, it still has a chance to stave off its most serious challenge since the dawn of democracy:

# The Freedom Front Plus says president Cyril Ramaphosa’s contemptuous response to the suspension of deputy minister of Small Business Development, Dipuo Peters, demonstrates that government is not serious about eradicating corruption. Ramaphosa said his decision to suspend her without pay and not fire her for her state capture involvement was a fitting sanction. FF Plus leader, Pieter Groenewald, says government continues to shamelessly protect its cadres:

# RISE Mzansi calls on the South African National Editors’ Forum and the National Press Club to host the upcoming Gauteng premier candidate debate. RISE Mzansi’s candidate, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, says he will write to candidates from ActionSA, the EFF, and the DA to get their commitment in writing. Ramokgopa has requested ANC premier Panyaza Lesufi to be part of the panel. He emphasises the need for a new leader to prioritise safety, education, healthcare, service delivery, and job creation.

# Hours after the US Supreme Court gave Texas the green light to implement its controversial Immigration Law, a Federal Appeals Court has blocked the state from enforcing it. The SB4 law gives police broad powers to arrest migrants suspected of crossing the US-Mexico border illegally. Under SB4, punishments for illegal entry or re-entry into Texas range up to 20 years in prison. The Appeals Court ruling will stay in place until Texas requests to allow the law to be enforced while the Appeals Court considers arguments on its legality today.

# Tennis: Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray of Scotland takes on Italian Matteo Berrettini in the first round of the Miami Open today. Berrettini reached his highest world ranking of sixth in January 2022, but a slew of injuries made him fall back to 125th. Murray, who was number one in 2016, is now in 61st position. Popular Japanese player Kei Nishikori makes his return to the tour after a seven-month injury break, taking on Sebastian Ofner of Austria in the round of 128.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-94-cents and the euro at 20-rand-59-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-8-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-671-dollars-9-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-157-dollars-8-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 87-dollars-13-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….