News 14:00

BULLETIN 16 April 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Transnet ends a security contract prematurely due to performance issues
# The DA says Cyril Ramaphosa finally stands up to Lindiwe Zulu and refuses Linton Mchunu’s appointment 
# And swimming: Five South Africans have secured a place at the Paris Olympics 

# Transnet Freight Rail’s security contract on its coal line has ended prematurely due to performance issues. Following a surge in security incidents, the joint venture’s contract was terminated after only seven months. Train cancellations have affected export volumes, exacerbated by two derailments. As an interim solution TFR issued a request for a proposal for the coal line, seeking bidders’ compliance and firearm competence. However, the feasibility of a five-month operation remains uncertain.

# The DA says president Cyril Ramaphosa has finally taken the smallest of stands against Social Development minister Lindiwe Zulu by snubbing her efforts to continue the deployment of one of her closest cadres, Linton Mchunu, as acting director-general of the department. The DA’s Bridget Masango says it took a phone call from the president to force Zulu’s hand and appoint Peter Netshipale as acting DG until 4 July this year:

# The rollout of new driving licence cards faces uncertainty as the new card printing machine from France has yet to be secured. The machine aims to produce cards within five working days, compared to the current two-week waiting period, and has enhanced security features to combat fraud. Transport minister Sindisiwe Chikunga says the procurement process is ongoing, with the new licences set for nationwide rollout by month-end:

# Israel launched a diplomatic offensive against Iran, calling on countries to impose sanctions against the Revolutionary Guards. This follows Iran’s attack on Israel in retaliation for a deadly air strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, on the first of this month. Foreign minister Israel Katz says the diplomatic offensive will run alongside the military response to the attack. He sent letters to 32 countries and spoke with Foreign ministers, calling for sanctions to be imposed on the Iranian missile project, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to be declared a terrorist organisation.

# Swimming: Five South Africans have secured a place at the Olympic Games in Paris in July after the national championships concluded in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. Olympic gold medallist Tatjana Smith, formerly Schoenmaker, booked her place in Paris, along with 19-year-old Pieter Coetzé, who won five gold medals at the championships. There were also Olympic qualifying times for Aimee Canny, Kaylene Corbett and Erin Gallagher.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-6-cents and the euro at 20-rand-26-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-77-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-987-dollars-15-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-369-dollars-67-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 89-dollars-87-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….