News 06:00

BULLETIN 16 March 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa notes Israel’s response in the International Court of Justice
# Donald Trump says the US is not ready to make a deal with Iran
# And cricket: The Proteas men beat New Zealand in the first T20, but the women lose

# Government says it has noted the filing of Israel’s response to South Africa’s written pleadings in the genocide case before the International Court of Justice. The case relates to allegations of genocidal acts committed during Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The ICJ had originally ordered Israel to respond by July 28, 2025. However, Israel requested extensions to the deadline on two occasions. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says the country remains committed to playing its part to fulfil the promises of the Genocide Convention:

# Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says Eskom must act decisively when municipalities fail to pay electricity debts. Eskom recently warned it may cut bulk supply to 14 municipalities owing more than 100-billion-rand. This includes Ekurhuleni, which has paid 1.7-billion-rand of its 3.4-billion-rand debt after Eskom threatened disconnection. The South African Local Government Association has cautioned that supply interruptions could cause instability. However, the minister insists municipalities should take accountability for their debt:

# The National Competition Commission’s deputy commissioner, Hardin Ratshisusu, has reiterated calls for stronger implementation of track-and-trace systems to curb illicit trade. Illicit goods are estimated to cost the country’s economy up to 100-billion-rand annually. He says the proposal is part of a National Illicit Disruption Programme aimed at protecting consumers and preventing counterfeit tobacco, alcohol, and food products from entering the market, while the commission continues to monitor food prices:

# The DA in Gauteng has criticised the provincial government for failing to prioritise the foot-and-mouth disease crisis. DA spokesperson Bronwynn Engelbrecht says the 63-million-rand allocated to fight the outbreak is inadequate compared with the province’s 179-billion-rand budget. She warns that the limited funding and lack of a clear operational plan raise serious questions about whether Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s government understands the scale of the crisis and the risk it poses to jobs, food security, and the agricultural economy of Gauteng.

# President Donald Trump says the US is not yet prepared to make a deal with Iran to end the war. This comes as Tehran has launched fresh missile and drone attacks on countries in the Gulf and on Israel, while Israeli and US warplanes launched new waves of strikes on Iran. Trump told NBC News that an Iranian commitment to abandon any nuclear ambitions would be part of a potential deal. He added that US forces would step up attacks on the Iranian coast north of the Strait of Hormuz.

# Cricket: A new-look South African side defeated New Zealand by seven wickets in the first of five T20 Internationals at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Debutant Nqobani Mokoena took three wickets as the hosts were dismissed for 91 inside 15 overs, the Black Caps 10th lowest total in T20s. In reply, Connor Esterhuizen scored an unbeaten 45 as the Proteas eased to victory. Meanwhile, the Proteas Women lost their opening T20 match against New Zealand by 80 runs in Mount Maunganui, with Amelia Kerr and Georgia Plimmer scoring half-centuries.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-89-cents and the euro at 19-rand-28-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-34-cents and Bitcoin trades at 73-thousand-39-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-19-dollars-75-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 100-dollars-62-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….