News 15:00

BULLETIN 19 March 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The FF Plus warns of looming fuel shortages despite government’s assurances
# Experts say gangsterism needs a broader social response
# And rugby: Hanekom returns as the Bulls shuffle their pack for the URC clash against Cardiff

# While the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources says South Africa has sufficient fuel despite the conflict in Iran, the FF Plus warns that letters from suppliers show filling stations are struggling to get stock. The FF Plus’s Wynand Boshoff says some stations have run dry, raising fears of shortages. He says experts suggest that delayed imports and possible stockholding ahead of next month’s fuel price increase could worsen the situation and the economy:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed sadness at the death of Nicholas “Fink” Haysom, 73, former Chief Legal Advisor to president Nelson Mandela and United Nations representative in Afghanistan, Somalia, South Sudan, and Iraq. Haysom also chaired Burundi peace negotiations and contributed to Sudan’s peace process. Ramaphosa praised his commitment to human rights, justice, constitutional development, and peace-making, calling him a pioneer whose guidance shaped South Africa, Africa, and the world.

# A seminar on gangsterism hosted by University of the Western Cape has revealed that policing alone cannot curb the growing gang sub-culture. Stakeholders from government, civil society and law enforcement gathered to address root causes and solutions. Former detective head Jeremy Veary stressed the need to empower police while tackling social failures, warning that gangsterism is deeply rooted and requires collective action beyond law enforcement.

# Cape Town unveiled a 120-billion-rand, 10-year infrastructure plan, the largest in South Africa, set to create around 130-thousand construction jobs and deliver a 17-billion-rand economic impact in this term alone. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says 75-percent of the budget benefits lower-income households through improved water, sanitation, roads, public transport, housing, and public spaces. He says Cape Town’s spending already exceeds Johannesburg’s, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni combined, with major projects including MyCiTi expansion:

# Fossil fuel prices have continued to soar, with oil this morning hitting a new high since the Iran war began. A barrel of Brent crude briefly traded at more than 118-dollar a barrel, a high last seen in June 2022. Earlier this morning the cost of UK wholesale gas increased by 28-percent, reaching a three-year high. It comes amid attacks on energy production facilities, increasing supply fears as tankers struggle to pass the Iran-controlled Strait of Hormuz. A fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies travel through the strategically important strait.

# Rugby: The Bulls have shuffled their deck for Friday’s home clash against Cardiff, making several tactical adjustments to the side that faced the Stormers last week. The versatile lock and flanker Cameron Hanekom, is making his return and finds a place on the bench after a gruelling nine-month injury lay-off. The starting front row sees a change at tighthead, with Francois Klopper stepping in for Wilco Louw. Further back, Cobus Wiese moves from the bench into the starting lock position to partner Ruan Nortje, as Ruan Vermaak shifts to the replacements.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-88-cents and the euro at 19-rand-36-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-40-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-76-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-673-dollars-57-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 109-dollars-77-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….