News 18:00

BULLETIN 3 April 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC supports reconsidering the VAT increase and income tax adjustments
# The terrorism case against a Cape Town man is transferred to the Regional Court
# And rugby: Local teams fight for places in the Currie Cup Premier Division as the SA Cup heats up

# The ANC has reaffirmed its commitment to a pro-poor fiscal framework, following the adoption of the 2025 fiscal framework by Parliament. The party supports reconsidering the proposed 0.5-percent VAT increase, adjusting tax brackets to prevent bracket creep, and giving the National Treasury 30-days to present alternative revenue measures. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri says the budget prioritises the needs of the poor and working class, aiming to protect the social wage and sustain economic recovery.

# The Bellville Magistrate’s Court in Cape Town has transferred the terrorism case against Ferdinand Fortuin to the local Regional Court, with his first appearance set for 24 April. Fortuin faces charges relating to terrorism and explosives after allegedly threatening to place bombs at multiple locations, causing mass evacuations. The National Prosecuting Authority’s Eric Ntabazalila says though the threats were hoaxes, these actions call for serious charges:

# 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:

Meanwhile, European farmers urged the European Union to prioritise negotiations over retaliation against US president Donald Trump’s tariffs onslaught, warning against a trade war. Pan-European farmers’ group Copa-Cogeca denounced Washington’s slapping of a 20-percent tariff on all EU goods, saying it threatens to disrupt global supply chains, and increase prices. But as Brussels readied countermeasures, the group, which says it represents 22-million farmers, warned against an escalation.

# 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-79-cents and the euro at 20-rand-84-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 81-thousand-932-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-116-dollars-99-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-82-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….