News 11:00

BULLETIN 4 March 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Solidarity says the high treason allegations against it are ridiculous and baseless
# Julius Malema strongly denies negotiating with the ANC on a VAT increase
# And, Donald Trump’s tariffs against Canada, Mexico, and China have come into effect

# Solidarity says the investigation of high treason by the Hawks is nothing more than a cheap publicity stunt. The Hawks yesterday revealed that four dockets of high treason have been opened, understood to be against AfriForum and Solidarity. This is over the alleged spreading of misleading information in the US about some of South Africa’s policies, including the Expropriation Act. Solidarity CEO, Dirk Hermann, says this is a low point for democracy:

# EFF leader Julius Malema has rejected reports that his party is negotiating with the ANC regarding the proposed value-added-tax increase in the budget. According to Sunday Times, the ANC has warned that if the DA does not accept a new proposed VAT increase of 0.75-percent, it will seek the EFF’s support to pass the budget next Wednesday. Malema says government’s failure to pass the budget means the country is operating on autopilot:

# Municipal union Samwu in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, has condemned the city’s decision to cut overtime by 50-percent and introduce contracted services. According to the union, this move prioritises political interests over workers and residents. They accuse the city run by an ANC-coalition of outsourcing services to benefit political allies ahead of next year’s local government elections. Samwu regional secretary Tshephang Langa warns this will undermine job security, reduce service quality, and waste taxpayer money.

# US president Donald Trump’s blanket 25-percent tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada have come into effect today, setting the stage for a trade war. The tariffs are in response to what Trump views as the neighbouring countries’ irresponsible handling of the southern and northern border, including fentanyl entering America. In retaliation, Canada has imposed 25-percent tariffs on US imports. Meanwhile, tariffs on Chinese imports have doubled from ten- to 20-percent. Trump says tariffs bring fairness:

# Rugby: Scotland’s head coach, Gregor Townsend, has included Matt Currie, Nathan McBeth and Ben Muncaster in his squad for the weekend’s Six Nations match against Wales at Murrayfield. Currie and Muncaster, from Edinburgh, and Glasgow prop McBeth, are rewarded for their good showing for their clubs this past weekend. This follows after Luke Crosbie and Jack Mann had to withdraw through injury. Scotland is currently fourth on the log behind defending champion Ireland, France and England after one victory in their previous three matches.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-60-cents and the euro at 19-rand-25-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-63-cents and Bitcoin trades at 83-thousand-733-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-888-dollars-50-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-93-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….