News 17:00

BULLETIN 1 April 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The IEC calls for voter action before the local government elections
# Coca-Cola plans to invest 17.6-billion-rand in South Africa
# And golf: Tiger Woods steps away to seek treatment following his latest car crash arrest

# The Electoral Commission says the campaign leading up to this year’s local government election is a call to action. The IEC unveiled the logo for the elections under the tagline “Get Up, Show Up, Vote.” CEO Sy Mamabolo says preparations are intensifying, including a nationwide special voter registration weekend on June 20 and 21. He confirmed about 24-thousand voting stations will open, supported by 70-thousand staff, to ensure efficient registration:

# Coca-Cola has announced plans to invest 17.6-billion-rand in South Africa through 2030. The investment will support expanded production, improved distribution and innovation across its value chain. The announcement was made at the South African Investment Conference in Johannesburg yesterday, with the company highlighting its role in job creation and local sourcing. The move is expected to boost economic activity and strengthen South Africa’s position in the global beverage market.

# The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety wishes all residents a safe, peaceful, and blessed Easter weekend. The committee’s Bandile Masuku urges motorists to drive responsibly, obey traffic rules, and avoid alcohol, while law enforcement maintains a visible presence across the province. He adds that residents are encouraged to observe the Easter period with unity, compassion, and respect for one another:

# A Russian oil tanker carrying 730-thousand barrels of crude oil arrived in Cuba, providing a small relief to the US-blockaded island nation. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the permission granted to the tanker a decision that will continue to be made on a case-by-case basis for humanitarian reasons or otherwise. Experts estimate the shipment could produce some 180-thousand barrels of diesel, which would sustain daily demand in Cuba for nine to ten days.

# Golf: Fifteen-time major champion Tiger Woods says he is stepping away from the sport for a period of time to seek treatment, following his latest car crash in Florida. The 50-year-old was arrested and charged with driving under the influence last Friday, after his Land Rover rolled over following a collision with a pick-up truck near his home. He has pleaded not guilty. In a statement, Woods says taking some time off is necessary in order for him to prioritise his well-being and work toward lasting recovery.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-82-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-51-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-36-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-221-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-718-dollars-93-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 101-dollars-1-cent a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….