News 07:00

BULLETIN 17 March 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Solidarity will engage the South African and American governments over labour practices
# The National Prosecuting Authority is going to reinstate corruption charges against Zizi Kodwa
# And, Donald Trump criticises countries not wanting to help with the Strait of Hormuz

# Trade union Solidarity plans to urgently engage with the South African and US governments over an investigation into alleged discriminatory labour practices. An investigation by the Office of the United States Trade Representative could lead to higher tariffs or trade restrictions if South Africa is found to be in violation. Solidarity’s Jaco Kleynhans warns workplace racial legislation and employment quotas could be viewed as discriminatory and expose the country to economic penalties:

# The National Prosecuting Authority is intending to reinstate corruption charges against former minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, and former ANC spokesperson, Zizi Kodwa. In November 2024, the NPA dropped the charges against Kodwa and his co-accused, former EOH executive Jehan Mackay. It is alleged that Kodwa received nearly 1.7-million-rand in kickbacks from Mackay in exchange for securing government contracts for his tech company. The NPA says the matter will be enrolled in court soon.

# Following reports of his likely recall by the ANC, Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero says he has yet to receive formal communication from the party. According to reports, an urgent and special regional executive committee meeting on Saturday resolved to remove Morero, citing his poor performance at last year’s regional elective conference and governance concerns. Morero says the only formal communication he has received was a call for the metro to intensify service delivery:

# US president Donald Trump has criticised allies who have rejected his demands to help secure the Strait of Hormuz against Iranian attacks. He claims that the US has hit seven-thousand targets and sunk more than 100 ships so far in the war. The Strait handles roughly 20-percent of the world’s total oil consumption daily. Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump stated that some countries were insufficiently loyal to America after receiving security support for decades:

# Soccer: Chelsea have been fined around 240-million-rand, the Premier League’s biggest fine to date, and a one-year transfer ban, suspended for two years. This is after the club admitted to making secret payments, totalling just over one-billion-rand, to unregistered agents and third parties in connection with transfers between 2011 and 2018. This occurred under Roman Abramovich’s ownership. Chelsea has also been given a nine-month academy transfer ban. The Premier League says the total fine was halved because the Blues self-reported and cooperated with the investigation.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-69-cents and the euro at 19-rand-18-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-19-cents and Bitcoin trades at 75-thousand-790-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-10-dollars-70-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 99-dollars-80-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Three young South African scientists are set to showcase their research at the International Festival of Engineering Science and Technology in Tunisia. The learners, all medal winners at last year’s Eskom expo for young scientists, will present projects on school logistics, aviation engineering, and artificial intelligence. The festival runs next week and will include cultural excursions and scientific activities. Eskom says the event highlights South Africa’s emerging scientific talent and gives young innovators a chance to contribute to global solutions.

Stay tuned for more news………….