News 15:00

BULLETIN 24 April 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Fikile Mbalula says ongoing talks with all political parties helped to avert instability over the budget impasse
# Jacob Zuma’s bid to remove prosecutor Billy Downer is dismissed
# And roadrunning: A new marathon world record is on the cards in London on Sunday

# ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula says the party has learnt important lessons in managing the budget under the new government of national unity. He welcomed the decision to cancel the planned VAT increase, citing it protects the poor. Mbalula told the media the budget process is now more complex and political, but through intense negotiations with the National Treasury and other parties, common ground was reached:

The EFF is meanwhile calling for the immediate resignation of Finance minister Enoch Godongwana and National Treasury director-general, Duncan Pieterse. The EFF’s spokesperson, Sinawo Thambo says this should be a reflection for Godongwana and Pieterse that they are out of their depth and pose a threat to the economic stability of the country and, by consequence, are a threat to the livelihoods of South Africans:

# Former president Jacob Zuma’s application for leave to appeal the non-removal of lead prosecutor Billy Downer from his arms deal corruption trial has been dismissed by the High Court in Pietermaritzburg. Judge Nkosinathi Chili ruled that Zuma failed to prove Downer’s alleged bias would compromise his right to a fair trial. The court noted that Zuma’s arguments had been previously addressed and dismissed in earlier litigation. Zuma intends to appeal the decision, further delaying the long-running case also involving French arms company Thales.​

# Roadrunning: A new world record is on the cards in the London Marathon on Sunday. The current record of 56-thousand-950 finishers was set in the Paris Marathon earlier this month, while over 55-thousand athletes ran in last year’s New York Marathon. Sunday’s course starts at Greenwich Park and ends on The Mall just past Buckingham Palace. Along the route, runners could take in the sights of other landmarks in the British capital such as Tower Bridge and Big Ben.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-68-cents and the euro at 21-rand-27-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-88-cents and Bitcoin trades at 92-thousand-306-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-340-dollars-11-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-89-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Johannesburg Emergency Service is on high alert due to severe thunderstorms and persistent rain throughout the metro. Floodwaters affected several areas, including Randpark Ridge, Newlands, Strubens Valley, Weltevreden Park, Jukskei Park and Witkoppen Road. EMS spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi, says residents are advised to call 011 375 5911 for any life-threatening emergencies:

Stay tuned for more news………….