News 16:00

BULLETIN 30 March 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The MK Party loses a bid to block Shamila Batohi’s pension
# Trollip calls for the protection of South Africa’s sovereignty amid a march against a Nigerian’s coronation
# And soccer: CAF introduces sweeping changes following the AFCON final fallout

# The MK Party has lost its High Court bid to stop former National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi from receiving her pension and post-term gratuities. Judge Nicolene Janse van Nieuwenhuizen of the High Court in Pretoria dismissed the application and ordered the party to pay costs. The MK Party had argued the payout should be halted amid allegations of misconduct, but the court found the case lacked legal basis, allowing the pension payment to proceed.

# ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip says South Africa’s sovereignty must be protected as Buffalo City residents march in KuGompo, formerly East London, to protest the reported coronation of a Nigerian “Igbo king.” A ceremony was held in KuGompo, to install Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko as the king of Igbo people in East London. Trollip says the move undermines South Africa’s constitution and recognition of traditional leadership:

# ActionSA Johannesburg mayoral candidate Herman Mashaba has criticised DA candidate Helen Zille over the party’s failed court bid to block a ten-billion-rand wage agreement in the metro. Mashaba says while the deal is unaffordable, cancelling it would ignore legal obligations to workers. He accused the DA of political opportunism and warned such actions could harm service delivery. Mashaba urged engagement with unions to find balanced solutions that protect the city’s finances and residents.

# The N3 Toll Concession is calling on motorists to plan ahead as Easter traffic surges on the busy N3 route. Spokesperson Thania Dhoogra says volumes are rising, with peaks expected on Thursday and Friday. Thousands will also be expected to travel to Moria for the Zion Christian Church pilgrimage. Peak traffic is also forecast northbound for Monday and Tuesday next week. Dhoogra confirms all construction work will pause, with only emergency works permitted. Motorists are advised to remain cautious.

# Soccer: African governing body CAF is introducing sweeping reforms in a bid to restore confidence in refereeing, Video Assistant Referee operations, and judicial bodies. It has been battling ⁠a confidence crisis after its Appeal Board stripped Senegal of its Africa Cup of Nations title, with the decision being challenged at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. President Patrice Motsepe says respect, integrity and credibility of referees and V-A-R operators are important:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-16-cents and the euro at 19-rand-70-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-70-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-902-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-565-dollars-42-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 106-dollars-83-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….