News 11:00

BULLETIN 9 March 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Reserve Bank is redrafting inflation scenarios as the oil price spikes
# A seventh US service member is killed in the Iranian war
# And rugby: The Blitzboks’ coach is proud of their clinical performance in Vancouver

# The South African Reserve Bank says it will redraft its risk scenarios for its next rate-setting ‌policy meeting, as the widening Middle Eastern conflict pushes up oil prices. Governor Lesetja Kganyago told Reuters the adverse scenario had assumed the average oil price for the year would reach 75-dollar per barrel and ​the rand would weaken to 18-rand 50-cents to the dollar. He adds this will now have to be adjusted, taking into account the impacts of the geopolitical situation and the exchange rate.

# The EFF is concerned by the questionable conduct of the Auditor-General, who is failing to release information about municipalities that are looting state money through water tankering. The party requested a list of the 55 municipalities that are using water tankers. It says there is prima facie evidence that water tanker companies vandalise municipal water infrastructure in order to force municipalities to use their services. The EFF says what is even more alarming is that these very same companies have corrupt relationships with municipal officials.

# An investigation is underway following a collision between a bus and a car which claimed the lives of five people on the N6 between KuGompo and Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape. The victims were occupants of the VW Polo, while the 60 Zimbabwean nationals on the bus sustained minor to serious injuries. The provincial Transport Department’s spokesperson, Makhaya Komisa, says culpable homicide and reckless driving are being investigated:

# A seventh US service member has died from injuries sustained during Iran’s initial attack across the Middle East. The strike occurred on a makeshift operations centre at the civilian port of Shuaiba in Kuwait. The remains of six soldiers also killed in the attack arrived at the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware this weekend. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told CBS their mission in Iran is very much on track:

# Rugby: Springbok Sevens coach Philip Snyman says he is proud of the team’s clinical performance in the Vancouver Sevens final against Spain in Canada. South Africa scored six tries to overpower Spain 38-12 and secure their third tournament victory in five events in this season’s world series. Snyman says he is happy with the team’s consistency and squad depth:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-85-cents and the euro at 19-rand-46-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-43-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-309-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-and-97-dollars-60-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 103-dollars-60-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….