News 06:00

BULLETIN 17 April 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The uMkhonto we Sizwe trademark is ceded to the ANC
# Public servants are concerned over tax hikes for the funding of the National Health Insurance
# And the US is set to impose new sanctions on Iran in the coming days

# The ANC has obtained ownership of the uMkhonto we Sizwe trademark amid a legal dispute with the MK Party. According to News24, documents from the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission indicates that the trademark, previously held by Legacy Projects, is now ‘assigned’ to the ANC. Legacy Projects director Rapitse Montsho clarified the transfer process, affirming the ANC’s ownership.

# The Electoral Commission has rejected the demand by the MK Party for Commissioner Janet Love to resign. The party called for Love to step down, following her remarks in January that former president Jacob Zuma would not be eligible to stand as a candidate in the upcoming elections, due to his criminal record. The party accused the IEC prematurely of prejudging Zuma’s eligibility. IEC CEO, Sy Mamabolo, says the MK Party’s call for Love’s resignation is baseless:

# The Public Servants Association expresses deep concern over proposed tax hikes to fund the National Health Insurance scheme. The association cites the financial strain on South Africans amidst economic challenges as the funding model lacks sustainability and disproportionately burdens the poor. The association warns that tax increases could exacerbate financial hardships. It has urged the government to explore alternative funding methods and prioritise job creation to alleviate pressure on taxpayers. They advocate for equitable and sustainable solutions to finance the scheme.

# Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane is today visiting Daveyton Skills School in Benoni. This follows the tragic drowning of two learners during a discipline camp at Rock Falls Adventure Ranch in Centurion. The boys, aged 13 and 18 were in a man-made dam at a private camping site, near the Hennops River. Spokesperson Steve Mabona says the MEC is expected to assess the situation:

# Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says the US will impose new sanctions on Iran in the coming days. This is in the wake of Tehran’s large-scale air attack on Israel at the weekend. Iran says the attack was retaliation for the presumed Israeli air strike on its consulate in Syria on the first of April. Yellen says the attack by Iran and its proxies underscores the importance of the Treasury’s work to use its economic tools to counter Iran’s malign activity:

# Rugby: Springbok fans will have to get up early to watch the team take on the Wallabies in a Rugby Championship Test in Brisbane on August 10. The match kicks off at 6.45 in the morning, South African time. The two countries will also meet in Perth a week later. The world champions will play the All Blacks at Ellis Park on the 31st, and in Cape Town a week later. The Boks will face Argentina in Santiago on 21 September, and in Mbombela on the 28th.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-2-cents and the euro at 20-rand-21-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-65-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-887-dollars-32-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-382-dollars-66-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 89-dollars-57-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….