News 06:00

BULLETIN 19 February 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA says it is strongly opposed to any tax increases
# The GOOD Party calls for a safety net against unemployment
# And Hamas will tomorrow release the bodies of four hostages

# The DA says it is concerned at reports of looming tax increases in Finance minister Enoch Godongwana’s budget speech today. National Treasury has long argued that permanent tax increases must back permanent spending increases. The DA’s, Mark Burke, says minister Godongwana must rather consider cutting amongst others, the 1.8-billion-rand for the deployment of the South African National Defence Force in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Treasury International Financial Relations expenditure of 2.9-billion-rand:

Meanwhile, the Congress of South African Trade Unions will today hold protests in the Western Cape, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal in opposition to austerity measures. The demonstrations coincide with Godongwana’s budget speech. COSATU condemns reductions in funding for critical sectors like education and health, leading to staff shortages and poor service delivery. It urges National Treasury to adopt a People’s Budget that prioritises the needs of South Africans.

# The GOOD Party says the unemployment rate remains stubbornly high at 31.9-percent, and has urged government to provide a social safety net. The party warns that millions have no income, with eight-million unemployed and an increase of 111-thousand in discouraged job seekers. GOOD secretary-general Brett Herron, calls on the government of national unity to implement a basic income grant of at least one-thousand-rand per month:

# The City of Tshwane reminds all spaza shop owners and food-handling businesses to register before the 28 February 2025 deadline to avoid closure. So far, four-thousand-222 applications have been received, with 55-percent from South African citizens and over a third from women-owned businesses. Only 192 have been approved. Mayoral committee member Sarah Mabotsa urges businesses to apply online via smartphone or computer or visit municipal offices to ensure compliance and prevent operational disruptions.

# Hamas says it will release the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including the two youngest people, held by the militant group in Gaza on Thursday. Kfir and Ariel Bibas were aged nine-months and four-years when Hamas kidnapped them during the seven October 2023 attack in Israel. This agreement was reached during negotiations in Cairo. Hamas says it will also release six living hostages on Saturday, double the number originally planned, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

# Rugby: The Blitzboks have Sebastian Jobb and Tristan Leyds back this weekend for the Vancouver Sevens tournament. The 25-year-old former Junior Springbok, Jobb, suffered a range of injuries over the last 24 months after making his debut for the Blitzboks in 2023. Playmaker Leyds is equally pumped to be back in action for the Blitzboks after missing out on the previous tournament in Perth due to injury:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-40-cents and the euro at 19-rand-22-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-22-cents and Bitcoin trades at 95-thousand-496-dollar-70-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-934-dollars-17-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-76-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….