News 16:00

BULLETIN 13 March 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A huge fuel price shock looms for South African motorists in April
# Deputy president Mashatile hails land restitution as restorative justice
# And rugby: Fourteen players are named for the Blitzbok Women’s tour of South America

# Motorists could face sharp fuel price increases next month, driven by rising international oil prices, a weaker rand and new fuel tax adjustments. Current data from the Central Energy Fund suggests the petrol price could increase by nearly four-rand per litre, while diesel may rise by between six-rand-63- and six-rand-75-cents per litre. Brent crude oil has climbed significantly in recent weeks amid global tensions. From next month, additional fuel levies will add 21-cents per litre to pump prices.

# The suspended head of police’s Organised Crime unit, Richard Shibiri, has adjusted his explanation to the Madlanga commission about a reference to the “other side” during a call with Witness A. Shibiri said he meant suspended deputy police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya. The exchange came as Shibiri tried to clarify why he contacted officials regarding inquiries about an arrest on businessman Katiso Molefe, insisting it was about charges rather than directions from Sibiya:

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile has described the land restitution handover to the Mtshoeni-Mtsweni family in Mpumalanga as a milestone for justice and development. The return of more than 627 hectares to the Schulk Marhiqa Communal Property Association restores land taken under the Natives Land Act of 1913. Mashatile says restitution restores dignity and opportunity. He encourages communities to use the land productively to promote economic growth and empowerment.

# The Public Servants Association has reiterated its objection to the 9.5-percent contribution increase announced by the Government Employees Medical Scheme for this year. GEMS has stated it cannot reduce the increase below 9.5-percent without jeopardising the minimum 25-percent solvency level required by the Medical Schemes Act. PSA’s Claude Naicker says the increase, from April, comes as public servants are facing severe financial pressure owing to rising living costs:

# Rugby: Newcomers Maceala Samboya and Shanidiné Bezuidenhout have been included in the squad of 14 Springbok Women leaving on Sunday for the last two International Sevens tournaments in Uruguay and Brazil. Coach Cecil Afrika has also called in the experienced Catha Jacobs. The tournaments take place in Montevideo next weekend and São Paulo the week after. Afrika is excited about the potential contributions the trio can bring to the squad:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-81-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-27-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-28-cents and Bitcoin trades at 72-thousand-376-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-109-dollars-84-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 97-dollars-27-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….