News 06:00

BULLETIN 30 March 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says the GNU wants to shift South Africa to a higher level of economic growth
# Iran’s parliamentary speaker says the US is secretly plotting a ground attack
# And Olympics: Caster Semenya criticises the IOC for reinstating gender tests

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government of national unity is prioritising industrial development to drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve the lives of citizens. He delivered the closing address at the 11th ANC Limpopo elective conference on Sunday. Premier Phophi Ramathuba was elected unopposed as the ANC’s first female provincial chairperson in the province. Ramaphosa stated that this moment requires the country to build domestic industrial strength:

# The Border Management Authority Commissioner, Michael Masiapato, says the BMA remains resolute to ensure heightened deployments and intensified border operations at the 71 ports of entry this Easter weekend. Speaking at the unveiling of the BMA’s Operational Plan in Pretoria, Masiapato said this included increased processing capacity, streamlined border checks, and ensuring a smooth and reinforced security to facilitate safe and efficient traveller movement:

# Bellarmine Mugabe’s legal team is proposing a plea deal with the National Prosecuting Authority that will see him escape jail time for attempted murder and other serious criminal charges. The son of former president Robert Mugabe was arrested after he shot and injured a 23-year-old man in Johannesburg last month. According to City Press, Mugabe’s legal team tabled the offer with a payment of 70-thousand-rand during ongoing negotiations with the NPA. The 32-year-old will be deported, while Tobia Matonhodze will serve a custodial sentence.

# Western Cape premier Alan Winde has written to the Presidency and the office of the minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources to raise his deep concern over what appears to be the increased hoarding of fuel stock by some suppliers. He is requesting their urgent intervention to ensure stability and prevent avoidable disruptions to primary sectors of South Africa’s economy. Winde says withholding supply places the economy and livelihoods, especially in the province’s agriculture sector, which accounts for over 50-percent of the entire country’s exports, at great risk.

# Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, claims that the US is secretly planning a ground invasion, despite publicly engaging in diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war. This comes after a US Navy ship carrying three-thousand-500 sailors and Marines arrived in the Middle East on Saturday, adding to the military presence in the region. Ghalibaf says they are ready for American troops, warning that they will unleash devastation upon them and punish their regional allies permanently. He emphasised that Iran will turn any conflict into a lesson for aggressors.

# Olympics: Double Olympic champion, Caster Semenya, has criticised the International Olympic Committee’s reinstatement of gender verification tests for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, labelling them as a disrespect for women. Last week, the IOC announced the return of genetic testing to determine female sex, in effect banning transgender athletes and a large number of intersex athletes from women’s sports. Semenya told Sky News that it is disappointing that women need to prove that they are worthy to take part in sports:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-13-cents and the euro at 19-rand-65-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-68-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-671-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-500-dollars-23-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 106-dollars-14-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….