News 17:00

BULLETIN 4 March 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# MPs say Angie Motshekga’s absence in Parliament defies the committee
# The DA refuses to remove its Lesufi billboard
# And tennis: The world’s top-two resume their rivalry in the Indian Wells Masters

# Members of Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence have accused Defence minister Angie Motshekga of defiance. This after she failed to attend a scheduled meeting on the readiness of the South African National Defence Force to assist police in fighting crime and gang violence. The deployment was announced by Cyril Ramaphosa during his State of the Nation Address. The EFF’s Carl Niehaus say Motshekga’s repeated absence undermines parliamentary oversight and accountability:

Meanwhile, the secretary for Defence Thobekile Gamede has told Parliament that this military deployment is estimated to cost 823-million-rand. Deployment dates and budget finalisation remain pending, with coordination meetings expected soon. Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence said while preparations are underway for joint operations with the South African Police Service, they raised concerns that plans are not fully aligned.

# The DA says it will not remove a controversial billboard depicting Panyaza Lesufi showering fully clothed. The ANC demanded the billboard be taken down within 12-hours. DA Federal Chair Helen Zille told the SABC News that the party stands by the advert, arguing it highlights Lesufi’s out-of-touch response to residents facing water shortages and broader community struggles in Gauteng:

# US president Donald Trump has fired Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, moving her to a new job as special envoy for a new US security initiative in the Western hemisphere called the Shield of the Americas. In recent months, Noem has faced criticism, including her response over the fatal shootings of two US citizens by federal officers in Minneapolis. Trump has named Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin as new Homeland Security Secretary, as from the end of the month. He still needs to be confirmed by the Senate.

# Tennis: The world’s top-two players, Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Italian Jannik Sinner, resume their rivalry in the US tomorrow when they play their first matches of the Indian Wells Masters Tournament. Both had byes in the first round. Alcaraz’s competitor in the round of 64 will be Bulgarian veteran Grigor Dimitrov, while Sinner will face Czech player Dalibor Svrcina. Alcaraz had a great start to the season, winning the Australian Open and the Qatar Open, while Sinner struggled and exited those tournaments before the finals.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-69-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-30-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-27-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-41-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-71-dollars-82-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 86-dollars-54-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….