News 16:00

BULLETIN 19 March 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa calls for economic reform for job creation
# Tax Justice SA says corruption within Customs poses a direct threat to the economy
# And soccer: Bafana Bafana recall three players for the Panama friendlies

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for stronger economic collaboration to create five-million jobs over the next decade. Speaking at the News24 On the Record, Ramaphosa said tackling unemployment requires understanding South Africa’s historical inequalities and economic exclusion. He emphasised that long-term solutions, not short-term fixes, are needed to address structural challenges and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy:

# Tax Justice South Africa says that for too long, the illicit economy has thrived because the risk of being caught and punished has been far too low. The South African Revenue Service this week executed search-and-seizure operations targeting officials and their collaborators accused of manipulating customs inspections in exchange for bribes. The scheme is linked to over 45-million-rand in under-declared taxable income. Tax Justice SA’s Yusuf Abramjee says searches and seizures are an important first step, but citizens need to see arrests:

# The DA in Gauteng has urged premier Panyaza Lesufi to fast-track disciplinary action against suspended Health Department head Lesiba Malotana over alleged links to irregular contracts at Tembisa Hospital. DA’s Jack Bloom says findings, raised by Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, point to serious corruption concerns, and calls for accountability and urgent reforms within health system:

# 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:

# Veteran playmaker Themba Zwane, and wingers Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Thapelo Maseko, have been recalled to the Bafana Bafana squad for the two home international friendlies against Panama later this month. Coach Hugo Broos has made several changes, some enforced by injury, after admitting he was desperately disappointed with the showing of the side at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Bafana take on Panama in Durban on March 27 and again in Cape Town four days later.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-96-cents and the euro at 19-rand-49-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-56-cents and Bitcoin trades at 69-thousand-729-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-562-dollars-52-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 108-dollars-42-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….