News 15:00

BULLETIN 2 January 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Good news on fuel prices to kick off 2024
# The IFP leader says the upcoming elections will determine the future of South Africa
# And, cricket: Warner pleads for the return of his stolen baggy green

# Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, has announced adjustments to fuel prices effective from tomorrow. According to the department’s manager for the Energy Division, Robert Maake, the prices are set to decrease primarily due to a decline in crude oil prices. Maake says motorists are expected to benefit as the slate levy decreases from 26.32- to zero-cents-per-litre starting tomorrow. He says this adjustment reflects current local and international factors impacting fuel prices:

# IFP leader, Velenkosini Hlabisa says the upcoming elections will determine whether the country remain on a trajectory of economic stagnation and growing debt, or whether it opens the way for the revival of South Africa. The economic future is but one aspect of the country that will be fundamentally determined by this year’s election, but it is of massive significance. Hlabisa is urging South Africans to make voting a top priority and keep engaging their representatives at all levels, on all issues.

# The DA in Johannesburg is demanding transparency and a comprehensive explanation regarding the Piotrans Business Rescue plans. Piotrans, a bus operating company for the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit system, has been placed under business rescue. The DA’s Tyrell Meyers says heads must roll at Piotrans, and the party will persist until accountability is established:

# Eskom has reported the successful completion of the full load rejection test on Unit 1 of the Koeberg nuclear power station in Cape Town. The test, conducted this weekend, was deemed necessary after the installation of new steam generators, adhering to South African Grid Code requirements. Eskom emphasises the importance of this final test and discloses plans to undertake similar steam generator replacement activities on Unit 2.

# Cricket: Retiring Australian opening batter David Warner has made a plea for the return of his coveted “baggy green” cap which was stolen from his baggage while travelling to Sydney for the third Test against Pakistan. Warner earlier announced his retirement from the format after the decisive Test that starts tomorrow. He says the cap is sentimental to him, and asks the thief to return it to him – no questions asked. Warner also plans to retire from the one-day game, but will still play international T20s until the World Cup in June.

# And, the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-36-cents and the euro at 20-rand-19-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-37-cents and Bitcoin trades at 45-thousand-615-dollars-34-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-and-74-dollars-63-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-74-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….