News 18:00
BULLETIN 10 March 6 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# BOSA secures an urgent parliamentary debate on the Middle East crisis
# Businessman Suliman Carrim denies acting as a conduit for Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s payments to Hangwani Maumela
# And, FOSA says public health concerns for women and girls must be treated with the greatest transparency
# Build One South Africa welcomes National Assembly speaker, Thoko Didiza’s decision, to hold an urgent debate on the escalating Middle East crisis following the recent US attack on Iran. The debate will focus on the safety of South African in the region, potential economic impacts on the country, and South Africa’s foreign policy position. BOSA’s Roger Solomons says the discussion will ensure government accountability and help protect both citizens and national interests as tensions rise globally.
Further to the crisis in the Middle East, oil prices plummeted over five-percent today after soaring to a more than three-year high as US president Donald Trump predicted the war in the Middle East could end soon. This placated dealers and eased concerns about prolonged disruptions to oil supplies. Brent futures contract prices were down by 6.7-percent at 92-dollar-32-cents a barrel by midday, while US West Texas Intermediate crude was down 5.7-percent, at 89-dollar-33-cent a barrel. Oil surged to more than 119-dollar a barrel yesterday to its highest since mid-2022, due to the conflict.
# Businessman Suliman Carrim has denied acting as a conduit for controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala to transfer funds to businessman Hangwani Maumela. During questioning at the Madlanga Commission by evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson, Carrim rejected claims he directed 500-thousand-rand of 1.5-million-rand payments from Matlala to Maumela for a loan, insisting he never accepted that role. He maintained his stance and firmly refused to be labelled a conduit:
# Forum for South Africa says the public health concerns affecting women and girls must always be treated with the highest level of transparency and urgency. South African research and clinical institutions experts has assured it remains safe to use sanitary pads after a study by the University of Free State showed some contain harmful chemicals. FOSA leader Tebogo Mashilompane calls for transparency from manufacturers regarding the chemical composition of sanitary products:
# Cricket: India’s national team received a bonus of over 230-million-rand from their governing body for recapturing the T20 World Cup title on Sunday. This is six times more than the prize money they received after beating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final. The world’s richets cricket board, the BCCI, congratulated the co-hosts for securing a third title, calling it a historic achievement. Captain Suryakumar Yadav says after also winning the Champions Trophy last year, they now want to win gold at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-29-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-95-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-91-cents and Bitcoin trades at 69-thousand-538-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-188-dollars-55-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 89-dollars-79-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….