News 08:00

BULLETIN 14 March 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa urges communities to support the defence force and police in the fight against crime
# AfriForum threatens legal action over Eskom power cut notices
# And cricket: The Proteas meet New Zealand in five T20s from tomorrow

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on communities to join forces with the police and the South African National Defence Force in combating crime. Two-thousand-200 SANDF members will be deployed across the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, North West, and Western Cape to target illegal mining and gang violence. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says the deployment runs from March this year to March next year and will cost over 823-million-rand:

# The Bureau for Economic Research says South Africa’s economic recovery is continuing, but progress remains slow and uneven. According to the bureau’s new reform barometer, real gross domestic product growth improved from 0.5-percent in 2024 to 1.1-percent last year, supported mainly by household spending and a gradual recovery in investment. Progress is strongest in electricity reforms and digital government systems, while water services and local government finances remain weak. Business confidence is also improving.

# The Department of Basic Education has briefed Parliament’s Standing Committee on Appropriations on learner transport and school infrastructure progress. Over 730-thousand learners are transported daily, mainly in rural areas, though full coverage is hindered by budget constraints. Officials highlighted safety interventions, including law enforcement. The department’s spokesperson, Terence Khala, says infrastructure pressures persist, with 43-thousand classrooms needed and over three-thousand-500 schools requiring upgrades:

# AfriForum has threatened legal action against Eskom if the utility proceeds with cutting electricity to towns over municipal debt. The organisation says Eskom’s notices to 14 municipalities are legally flawed and could harm residents, especially the elderly and hospitals, if a prepaid system is implemented. AfriForum’s Deidré Steffens urges the energy regulator, Nersa, to ensure all agreements comply with legal requirements before any changes take place:

# And finally, sports news:

# Cricket: Keshav Maharaj is leading the Proteas in the five-match T20 series against New Zealand, starting in Mount Maunganui tomorrow. Captain Aiden Markram and some other players are being rested after the recently-concluded World Cup in the format, where South Africa lost to the same opponents in the semifinal. The next three matches will be played in Hamilton, Auckland, and Wellington. The series will conclude in Christchurch on the 25th, whereafter many of the players for both countries will move to India for this season’s Indian Premier League.

# And motorsport: Formula One races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will be cancelled or rescheduled as the Middle East war engulfs the region. A source with knowledge of the matter told AFP on Friday the races won’t happen at their scheduled time, with an announcement expected soon. Bahrain is currently scheduled for April 10 to 12, and Saudi a week later. However, the Gulf has been battered by two weeks of Iranian drone and missile attacks. The Formula One governing body earlier stated that the safety remains of the utmost importance and developments across the region will be monitored continuously.

Stay tuned for more news………….