News 09:00

BULLETIN 5 April 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Geordin Hill-Lewis and Sibusiso Dyonase enter the race for the DA’s federal leadership
# Commissioner-designate Ngobani Makhubu pledges to protect and strengthen the Revenue Service
# And cricket: IPL victories for Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals

# Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and the DA’s caucus leader in the Sedibeng municipality in Gauteng, Sibusiso Dyonase, are set to contest for the position of federal leader at the party’s congress in Johannesburg next weekend. Over two-thousand delegates are expected to vote. DA spokesperson Nazley Sharif says a growing number of young leaders have stepped forward, signalling a generational shift within the party and a push to empower emerging leadership.

# Revenue Service commissioner-designate Ngobani Makhubu has vowed to nurture and protect the institution’s integrity as it enters a new era. He has been appointed by president Cyril Ramaphosa to take over from Edward Kieswetter, whose seven-year tenure ends at the end of the month. Makhubu has praised SARS staff for rebuilding the organisation into a trusted institution. He also reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the institution’s mandate and supporting economic growth:

# Economist Frederick Mitchell says, given the current global energy shocks due to the Middle Eastern conflict, South Africa needs smarter, more resilient fiscal tools to manage future volatility. Motorists were hit by massive fuel hikes last week, resulting in government implementing a three-rand reduction in the fuel levy. The fiscus is taking a six-billion-rand hit to fund this relief. Mitchell has proposed a “Floating Fuel Price Tax”, which would automatically adjust with the fuel price, saying this could make it easier for consumers to cope with rising costs.

# Teachers’ organisation NAPTOSA has expressed concern at a new threat where criminal syndicates are targeting schools. It has emerged that some principals in the Western Cape, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga are reportedly resorting to paying extortionists to protect school property. NAPTOSA’s executive director, Basil Manuel, told Newzroom Afrika this shows how corruption has infiltrated every part of society:

# And cricket: Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals recorded victories in the Indian Premier League yesterday. In Delhi, Mumbai Indians posted 162 for six with captain Suryakumar Yadav top-scoring with 51. The hosts reached the target with six wickets standing after Sameer Rizvi’s 90. In Ahmedabad, Rajasthan reached 210 for six thanks to Dhruv Jurel’s 75. Gujarat Titans could only reply with 204 for eight after Ravi Bishnoi took four wickets. Today, Sunrisers Hyderabad will play Lucknow Super Giants, and defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore will face Chennai Super Kings.

Stay tuned for more news………….