News 17:00

BULLETIN 25 April 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC reaffirms its commitment to unity following a meeting with the DA
# United Africans Transformation demands a wealth tax following the reversal of the VAT increase
# And Home Affairs plan to expand smart ID services to a thousand bank branches

# The ANC says it remains committed to dialogue and nation-building following a meeting with the DA. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula led the party’s delegation in follow-up talks with the DA after the reversal of the proposed VAT hike. The ANC says discussions are aimed at addressing urgent budget matters, while remaining firm on its goals of social and economic justice, equity, and transformation.

Meanwhile, United Africans Transformation calls for introducing a wealth tax following the reversal of the VAT increase. The party argues that taxing the wealthy would be a more just and effective way to raise revenue without burdening poor and working-class citizens. The party’s spokesperson, Mighty Mabule, says alternative measures must now focus on economic justice and reducing inequality through fair taxation policies:

# The Department of Home Affairs plans to expand smart ID and passport services to one-thousand bank branches by 2027/28. Currently, only 30 branches offer live capture functionality. By year-end, 100 new eHomeAffairs-enabled branches are expected, with 40 ready by the third quarter. A new agreement with banks and integration with banking apps will also streamline access, deliveries, and document processing. Home Affairs aims to reach 18-million South Africans before the next general election.

# Rugby: Cheetahs head coach Frans Steyn announced several changes to his team to face the Falcons in the SA Cup in Bloemfontein tomorrow. Jeandré Rudolph is back in the starting line-up. The flankers are Pierre Uys and Neels Volschenk, and the locks Victor Sekekete and Carl Wegner. Hencus van Wyk will wear the number one jersey. Clayton Blommetjies is out with the flu and is replaced by George Lourens. Jandré Nel is the scrumhalf. Pieter Jansen van Vuren, Sisonke Vumazonke, and Daniel Maartens are included on the bench.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-82-cents and the euro at 21-rand-36-cents. One British pound costs 25-rand-7-cents and Bitcoin trades at 94-thousand-543-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-277-dollars-28-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-3-cents a barrel.

# And finally: University of the Western Cape students are taking charge of their future with the relaunch of the Ikamvalethu Fund, which aims to raise funds to assist the university’s students facing financial difficulties. The iKamvalethu Million Campaign seeks to raise one-million-rand by Youth Day on June 16, which will be used for student financial aid at registration, and emergency relief. Student representative council president, Macntosh Khasembe, says the fund would aid deserving students:

Stay tuned for more news………….