News 06:00

BULLETIN 12 March 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Lamola says ambassador Bozell called to explain his undiplomatic remarks
# FlySafair and Airlink raise ticket prices as the Iran conflict drives up fuel costs
# And, the International Energy Agency agrees to release its biggest-ever oil reserves

# Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has confirmed that US ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell was called in by the department to explain his undiplomatic remarks. In an address to a Biznews conference, Bozell outlined America’s frustration with South Africa for not adhering to requests on land expropriation, Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, and the protection of white farmers, amongst others. Lamola says South Africa’s foreign policy is anchored on multilateralism and peaceful resolution of disputes:

Meanwhile, Bozell has backtracked on his earlier comments about the “Kill the Boer” chant.  He said on Wednesday that while he personally believes it constitutes hate speech, the US government respects the independence and findings of South Africa’s judiciary. It follows earlier remarks at a conference, where he had dismissed the court ruling, saying he did not care about the decision. The EFF, in reaction, has called for Bozell to be expelled, with the ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula warning him to toe the line. 

# South African airlines have increased ticket prices following a 70-percent spike in jet fuel costs, driven by the conflict in Iran. FlySafair has introduced a temporary fuel surcharge for flights booked between today and 12 May, while Airlink has adjusted fares without imposing a levy on existing tickets. FlySafair’s Kirby Gordon says there is no immediate threat to local fuel supply, but warns of potential schedule changes if the crisis continues beyond April:

# The DA calls for continued investigations to hold all those involved in the two-billion-rand Tembisa Hospital scandal accountable. The party claims former Gauteng Health Department chief financial officer Lerato Madyo received a secret settlement instead of facing disciplinary action over fraudulent contracts flagged by murdered whistleblower Babita Deokaran. The DA’s Jack Bloom says Madyo reportedly received three-million-rand while suspended for two years, plus an undisclosed settlement:

# The International Energy Agency’s 32 members have agreed unanimously to release about 400 million barrels of emergency crude into the global market. This is their largest-ever release of oil reserves, aimed at calming markets amid the Middle East conflict. The global oil market has lost about 15 million barrels of crude a day through the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The IEA says the emergency stocks will be made available over a timeframe that is appropriate to the national circumstances of each member country.

# Rugby: The Springboks’ assistant coach Duane Vermeulen says Saturday’s United Rugby Championship derby between the Bulls and the Stormers at a sell-out Loftus Versfeld will have a special edge because of last week’s first Bok alignment camp of the year. He believes the players attending the camp will go out firing because there are always spots up for grabs in the national team. Vermeulen expects a huge battle, but says, although the Bulls are regarded as favourites because the Stormers are struggling lately, he feels anything can happen.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-46-cents and the euro at 19-rand-5-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-8-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-467-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-167-dollars-70-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 91-dollars-13-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….