News 17:00

BULLETIN 17 March 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Giwusa demands a state takeover of the oil industry as prices surge
# The UDM calls on government to ensure that social workers are properly supported
# And tennis: Raducanu joins Kartal and Maya in pulling out of the Miami Open

# General workers union, Giwusa, warns that soaring petrol and diesel prices will harm workers and the poor, who will face higher transport, food, and goods prices. Prices are set to increase dramatically in April, due to the war in the Middle East, a weak rand, and profiteering by oil companies. Giwusa are also demanding broader reforms in the energy sector. The union’s Mametlwe Sebei calls on the government to suspend planned fuel levy increases and introduce stronger price controls:

# National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola told Parliament’s ad hoc committee the transfer of 121 dockets for the political killings task team the SAPS head office in Pretoria without his authority raised concerns of insubordination. Masemola said he was unaware of the move and learned about it only when acting deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Hilda Senthumule, informed him. He says the directives were a potential interference with ongoing investigations:

# The UDM joins the global community in commemorating World Social Work Day. Acting Secretary-General Zandile Phiri is calling on government to ensure social workers are properly supported, adequately resourced and protected in the vital work they perform. She says investing in social development and community support systems is essential:

# A US Navy warship believed to be carrying thousands of marines and sailors to the Middle East is nearing the Malacca Strait off Singapore. The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli is believed to be carrying soldiers from the Okinawa-based 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in Japan. The rapid-response force has two-thousand-200 personnel. A unit consists of command, ground combat, air combat and logistics combat. The Tripoli carries F-35 stealth fighters and MV-22 Osprey transports as well as landing craft to move soldiers ashore.

# Tennis: Britain’s Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Miami Open due to illness. The 23-year-old former US Open champion had received a bye into the second round of the tournament, which begins today. Raducanu made her return to competitive tennis in the United Cup in January, after being unable to play for two and a half months due to injury. Another Briton, Sonay Kartal, and Australian Maya Joint have also withdrawn from the Miami Open, citing back injuries.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-65-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-21-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-22-cents and Bitcoin trades at 73-thousand-792-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-12-dollars-28-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 99-dollars-32-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….