News 17:00

BULLETIN 3 April 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# AfriForum blames the ANC for the US tariffs on South Africa
# Helen Zille declares war on the VAT hike with urgent court action
# And rugby: The SA Cup heats up

# AfriForum has blamed the ANC leadership for the US imposing higher import tariffs on South Africa. CEO Kallie Kriel argues that reckless policies and strained US relations have led to these tariffs, affecting around 60 countries. Kriel criticises the government for prioritising ideology over citizens’ interests. He insists that punitive measures could have been avoided and calls for a neutral foreign policy to lift the sanctions:

# DA federal council chairperson, Helen Zille, has announced that the party is taking legal action to block the proposed 0.5-percent VAT hike on 1 May. Speaking outside the High Court in the Western Cape, Zille confirmed that she has signed papers to challenge the process behind the VAT increase, calling the parliamentary procedures used to push it through invalid:

# Environment, Forestry and Fisheries minister Dion George has urged Eskom to permanently waive solar panel registration fees, extending its current exemption beyond March 2026. Eskom has offered free registration and smart meters for residential solar systems up to 50-thousand volt-amperes since March 2023, saving homeowners over nine-thousand-rand. George argues reinstating fees would hinder renewable adoption, urging Eskom to fully support South Africa’s clean energy transition. He also criticised rising electricity tariffs, emphasising the need for accessible solar alternatives.

# ActionSA is calling on immigration authorities to revoke televangelist pastor Timothy Omotoso’s residency status and immediately deport him back to Nigeria. Yesterday, the Eastern Cape High Court acquitted Omotoso on all charges including rape, sexual assault and human trafficking. ActionSA’s president, Herman Mashaba, says Omotoso must never again be allowed to operate as a church leader in South Africa. He adds that Omotoso’s name, along with those of his alleged victim recruiters, Zukisa Sitho and Lusanda Sulani, must be added to the national sex offenders’ register. 

# Rugby: Saturday’s Free State derby between the Cheetahs and Griffons is one of the big games in the fifth round of the SA Cup. The SWD Eagles will kick off the weekend’s action tomorrow when they host the Valke in George. The Pumas should have too much firepower for last-placed Border Bulldogs when the two meet in Nelspruit tomorrow night. On Saturday Griquas face the Boland Kavaliers in Kimberley, and Eastern Province Elephants play the Leopards in Gqeberha. The top four teams will play in the Currie Cup’s Premier Division.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-82-cents and the euro at 20-rand-96-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-84-cents and Bitcoin trades at 81-thousand-804-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-59-dollars-87-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-59-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….