News 16:00

BULLETIN 22 April 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The EFF says the VAT hike violates the constitutional rights of the poor
# Over 17-thousand people were arrested in a crime crackdown nationally this past week
# And a Hamas delegation heads to Cairo for ceasefire talks

# The EFF has told the High Court in the Western Cape that the planned VAT increase set to come into effect next week, is unconstitutional and will worsen inequality. Arguing alongside the DA, the red berets said the hike violates the Bill of Rights and disproportionately affects the poor. The party’s legal representative, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, also criticised the public participation process, noting that 98-percent of submissions opposed the increase:

# Over 17-thousand-600 people were arrested nationally in the past week during intensified operations under Operation Shanela. More than 500 illegal liquor outlets were shut down over the Easter Weekend, with the majority in KwaZulu-Natal. Arrests included over one-thousand-100 motorists for drunk driving, drug possession, and wanted suspects. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says police rescued kidnap victims in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape and arrested over 100 illegal miners in North West and the Free State:

# Cape Town drivers have raised concerns over automated surveillance cameras used to enforce seatbelt laws. Motorists have reported fines for seatbelt violations with unclear or missing evidence. The City of Cape Town confirmed the use of cameras for enforcement, but some drivers argue that the system lacks transparency and reliable proof. The situation has sparked renewed calls for better oversight and due process, ensuring that drivers are not unfairly penalised by automated systems.

# A Hamas delegation departed for Cairo to discuss new ideas aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza, as Israeli air strikes killed 26 people across the territory today. The renewed effort follows Hamas’s rejection last week of Israel’s latest proposal to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza. Talks have so far failed to produce any breakthrough since Israel resumed its air and ground assault on Gaza from 18 March, ending a two-month ceasefire.

# Tennis: Twenty-two-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal says he doesn’t miss the sport since his retirement in November. The 38-year-old Spaniard was honoured with the Sporting Icon Award at the Laureus World Sport Awards in Madrid. Nadal says he finished his career on a happy note, but would’ve carried on if it was possible, because he loved it. He says he finished with peace of mind knowing he had given it his all, and succeeded in closing that chapter.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-62-cents and the euro at 21-rand-37-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-88-cents and Bitcoin trades at 88-thousand-740-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-458-dollars-99-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-14-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….