News 13:00
BULLETIN 24 April 1 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# The FF Plus says ordinary South Africans win with the scrapping of the VAT increase
# Premier Winde says the release of the George building report could jeopardise successful prosecution
# And African cardinals emerge as leading contenders to succeed Pope Francis
# The Freedom Front Plus has welcomed the decision to scrap the proposed VAT increase. The party says an adjusted budget will now be tabled. FF Plus leader Corné Mulder says this new budget must not replace the VAT increase with another form of tax increase or levy. He says they will participate in the processes that follow to ensure the alternative budget benefits ordinary South Africans who are already overburdened:
Labour federation Cosatu has applauded Finance minister Enoch Godongwana’s decision not to raise VAT. This followed legal action by the DA and the EFF. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says keeping VAT at 15-percent will ease pressure on the working class, and he calls for a review of expenditure plans:
# Western Cape premier Alan Winde’s office says making the provincial investigation report into the George building collapse public could jeopardise ongoing police work. Following the five-storey building collapse, which killed 34 people in May last year, the province commissioned an independent investigation into the tragedy. Winde’s office says it understands that there is huge public interest in the matter, but as a responsible government, it cannot do anything to possibly jeopardise successful prosecution.
# Following Pope Francis’s death, African cardinals are emerging as strong contenders for the papacy. Reuters reports that Ghana’s Peter Turkson, known for his advocacy on social justice and climate issues, and Congo’s Fridolin Besungu, recognized for promoting peace in conflict zones, are among the leading candidates. Their prominence reflects Africa’s growing influence in the Catholic Church, which now counts over 176 million Africans. While some Vatican insiders remain skeptical about the election of a black pope, many see this as an opportunity to amplify Africa’s voice in global Catholicism.
# Motorsport: World governing body F-I-A has formally approved US car company General Motors as a Formula One engine supplier from the 2029 season. This means the Cadillac team, which will join the grid next year, will use Ferrari power units until General Motors’ engines are homologated. The sport will have six different engine suppliers from 2029 as General Motors joins Ferrari, Mercedes, Honda, Red Bull Powertrains-Ford and Audi as the other power unit manufacturers.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-65-cents and the euro at 21-rand-23-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-83-cents and Bitcoin trades at 92-thousand-369-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-337-dollars-91-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-56-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….