News 16:00

BULLETIN 20 March 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The state plans to vigorously oppose the indefinite postponement of Jacob Zuma’s arms deal trial
# The IRR warns the Expropriation Bill threatens economic recovery 
# And tennis: Carlos Alcaraz is looking to complete the Sunshine Double by winning in Miami 

# State prosecutor Billy Downer believes the arms deal corruption case involving former president Jacob Zuma should proceed promptly, emphasising its utmost priority. In an application filed at the High Court in Pietermaritzburg KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma has attempted for the second time to remove Downer from the ongoing case, alleging bias and jeopardising his fair trial rights. Downer vows fierce opposition to any attempts to indefinitely postpone the case, advocating for swift legal proceedings:

# The Institute of Race Relations has cautioned against the passing of the Expropriation Bill by the National Council of Provinces, stating it jeopardises South Africa’s economic recovery. IRR analyst Marius Roodt highlights concerns over expropriation without compensation, citing violations of property rights, the rule of law, and the Bill of Rights. The IRR plans to appeal to president Cyril Ramaphosa not to sign the bill, citing its alleged unconstitutionality.

# Holidaymakers are warned of heavy traffic on the N3 as the Easter holiday approaches, with increased law enforcement and satellite traffic checkpoints planned. Southbound traffic towards Durban is expected to peak due to school closures today, continuing through the Human Rights Day and Easter weekend. Northbound traffic may surge on Easter Monday. Roadworks will be minimal to ensure smoother traffic flow. The N3 Toll Concession urges motorists to plan ahead and adopt a risk management approach for safer travel.

# Tennis: World number two Carlos Alcaraz says completing the so-called Sunshine Double by winning back-to-back tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami would be incredible. The Spaniard won the title in Indian Wells as the defending champion last Sunday when beating Daniil Medvedev of Russia in the final. It was his first title since Wimbledon last year. The 20-year-old will start his Miami campaign on Friday. He says he is happy with his form at the moment:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-88-cents and the euro at 20-rand-48-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-96-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-996-dollars-14-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-154-dollars-31-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 86-dollars-10-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Ingcungcu Sunbird Restoration Project is helping an endemic bird species in Cape Town return to an old flight path, using fynbos gardens in schools across the Cape Flats. The disruption of bird migration and the destruction of their habitat have endangered many species endemic to the Cape Flats. Sunbirds cannot fly for more than a kilometre and a half without stopping to feed. The project’s, Ceinwen Smith, says establishing gardens at schools to act as filling stations for the little birds helps them to complete their natural migration.

Stay tuned for more news………….