News 15:00

BULLETIN 12 March 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Lamola warns of geopolitical tensions and Africa’s escalating debt crises
# Russia steps up drone attacks on Ukraine’s railways
# And rugby: Marco van Staden will play his 100th Bulls’ game against the Stormers on Saturday

# International Relations and Cooperation minister Ronald Lamola has raised concerns over rising geopolitical conflicts. He warned the Southern African Development Community Council’s ministerial meeting in Pretoria, growing economic volatility, energy and food security risks, and climate-induced shocks affect the region. Lamola urges diplomacy to resolve conflicts, particularly in the Middle East and the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and warns Africa’s worsening debt crisis threatens social spending and development progress:

# The suspended head of the police’s Organised Crime Unit, Richard Shibiri, has faced questions at the Madlanga commission over a loan he received from controversial businessman Vusimusi Matlala for his son’s car repairs. Commissioner Mbuyiseli Madlanga suggested Shibiri did not need the money, casting doubt on the loan’s legitimacy. Shibiri says he had reasons for accepting the loan, repaid it in full, and stands by his actions:

# Multiple learners from a school in Wentworth, KwaZulu-Natal, are receiving medical attention after a suspected gas leak at the school located in the south of Durban. The source of the suspected gas leak is currently unknown. Emergency services responded to reports of learners experiencing breathing difficulties. Authorities are on the scene to assess the situation.

Moving abroad:

# Ukraine’s public railway company has reported that engine wagons, freight cars and railway maintenance equipment have come under increased Russian fire since early this month. This is in addition to the targeting of attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure. In the latest incident, a Russian drone hit a civilian train carrying 200 passengers from Kyiv to Sumy. A military expert, Pavlo Narozhnyi, told Deutsche Welle the attacks are not isolated, but part of a wider strategy to strike logistical, export and military supply lines. 

# Rugby: Springbok flanker Marco van Staden will play his 100th match for the Bulls in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship match against the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld. The 30-year-old arrived in Pretoria in 2017 and moved to England in 2021 before returning the next year. Captain Marcell Coetzee describes Van Staden as a great servant, saying he is fearless and gives his heart and soul every day. The Bulls are currently eighth on the log while the Stormers slipped to fifth after their good start to the season derailed lately.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-53-cents and the euro at 19-rand-10-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-13-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-549-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-178-dollars-82-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 95-dollars-1-cent a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….