News 07:00

BULLETIN 3 March 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC warns against 2027 presidential campaigns
# Motorists must expect fuel price hikes amid the Middle East tension
# And, the US Defence Secretary insists the Iran war is not endless

# The ANC has expressed concern at the ongoing activities associated with the so-called PM27 campaign. Reportedly, there are attempts to position Patrice Motsepe as the candidate to replace Cyril Ramaphosa as party leader in 2027. Motsepe has publicly denied that he is running for the position. The ANC says the National Executive Committee has taken a clear and principled decision that no leadership campaigns should be undertaken in the run-up to the 2027 National Conference. The party has urged its members to focus on preparing for the local government elections.

# Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources says fuel prices will go up as of Wednesday. Petrol users will see an increase of 20-cents per litre for both 93 and 95 octane, while diesel will receive a hike of between 62-cents and 65-cents per litre, depending on the sulphur content. Illuminating paraffin will go up 44-cents. This comes as the international price of Brent crude oil escalated in February as a result of geopolitical unrest in the Middle East, caused by the tension between the United States, Israel, and Iran.

# The Government has confirmed the arrest of three senior officials from the Department of Health yesterday in connection with allegations of theft and fraud. Further details cannot be released at this stage while the investigation continues. Acting government spokesperson Nomonde Mnukwa says the arrests reflect the government’s commitment to fighting corruption, in line with priorities outlined by president Cyril Ramaphosa during the State of the Nation Address:

# The DA says the South African National Defence Force deployments in the Western Cape must come with clear operational mandates. This follows the arrest of a soldier in Ravensmead on the Cape Flats, found with firearms, ammunition, and explosives at his home. While supporting the fight against gangsterism, the party warns that military action must protect residents’ rights. The DA’s Benedicta van Minnen says safety cannot come at the expense of the law:

# US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, says the joint US-Israeli strikes in Iran will not spiral into a protracted regional conflict. He says Operation Epic Fury is laser-focused, destroy Iranian offensive missiles, missile production, destroy their Navy and other security infrastructure, and they will never have nuclear weapons. Hegseth says president Donald Trump did not start the war with Iran but is finishing it:

# Rugby: Wales fly-half Sam Costelow has been ruled out of the Six Nations clash against Ireland in Dublin on Friday. The 25-year-old suffered an ankle injury in the second half of the 26-23 defeat by Scotland last month. He will remain with the squad as he recovers from an ankle injury, with the hope that he will be involved in the tournament finale against Italy on 14 March in Cardiff. Costelow is set to be replaced by either Jarrod Evans or Dan Edwards.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-5-cents and the euro at 18-rand-79-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-54-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-998-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-375-dollars-63-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-38-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….