News 16:00

BULLETIN 23 March 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Labour Court clears the way for Mkhwanazi’s disciplinary hearing to proceed
# The DA blames the Rooiwal Plant failures for job losses and pollution
# And tennis: Carlos Alcaraz eyes the clay court season after an early Miami exit

# The Labour Court has dismissed an urgent bid by suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police suspended deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi to halt his disciplinary hearing. Mkhwanazi argued the process was unlawful, claiming it was based on a terminated employment contract. However, the court rejected the application, allowing the Ekurhuleni Municipality to proceed with the hearing. No cost order was issued. The ruling comes as Mkhwanazi faces ongoing scrutiny at the Madlanga Commission over alleged misconduct linked to his tenure at the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department.

# The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry is calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East. CEO Alan Mukoki warns the conflict is disrupting global trade, raising oil prices, and threatening supply chains. He says the war could fuel inflation and interest rate hikes, impacting South Africa’s economy. He has urged all parties to pursue diplomacy and called on president Cyril Ramaphosa to support international peace effort:

# The DA says the non-functioning Rooiwal wastewater treatment plant in Tshwane is causing job losses and environmental damage. DA’s Bronwynn Engelbrecht says the facility is barely operational despite assurances from city officials. Engelbrecht claims pollution has affected the Apies River, harming agriculture, tourism, and aquatic life as farmers are relying on water tankers as contamination spreads. She calls for urgent intervention and accountability to restore the plant and protect livelihoods.

# President Donald Trump says he has instructed the US military to postpone all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure following two days of conversations with Iran. The president said on Truth Social the pause would last for five days and was subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions to end the war. It comes after an ultimatum to Iran that the US would “obliterate” its power plants unless it ended its blockade on the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, a deadline that was set to expire later today.

# Tennis:  World number one Carlos Alcaraz remains confident his game is improving despite losing to Sebastian Korda at the Miami Open.  Alcaraz said after a few days to reset he will be turning his attention to the clay court season. His 2026 Australian Open title made the 22-year-old the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam. Alcaraz says every lower-ranked player comes out swinging freely against him, and he tries not to let that pile pressure on him. He says he is confident that he is still on the right track.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-91-cents and the euro at 19-rand-48-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-51-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-664-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-438-dollars-78-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 98-dollars-17-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….