News 06:00

BULLETIN 24 April 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa vows a stronger fight against organised crime and corruption
# AfriForum says Masemola’s suspension reflects long decline in SAPS leadership
# And, Mbalula says the SACP is not an enemy of the ANC

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to intensifying the fight against organised crime, corruption, and violence. Following the appointment of acting national police commissioner Puleng Dimpane, Ramaphosa said it’s a concern that the suspended commissioner Fannie Masemola is facing court charges, but insists this should not weaken morale in policing. He added that the security cluster has made significant progress on an organised crime strategy, and the Madlanga commission has already made strides:

Meanwhile, AfriForum says the precautionary suspension of Masemola highlights a long-standing leadership crisis within the South African Police Service. AfriForum’s Jacques Broodryk warns that repeated leadership changes are destabilising the SAPS and damaging public confidence:

# ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula insists that the South African Communist Party remains a comrade, and not an adversary. The ANC National Executive Committee has directed dual members of the SACP to campaign for the party ahead of the local government elections. This is in response to the SACP’s decision to contest the elections independently. This applies to all members without exception. Mbalula emphasised that there is no hostility between the ANC and the SACP:

# The National Union of Mineworkers and the United Association of South Africa have accused gold miner Gold Fields of negotiating in bad faith. The unions are demanding a 13-percent wage increase. Gold Fields is offering a 5.2-percent increase, capped at 6-percent in 2027 and 2028, for the lowest-paid, entry-level, unskilled, and semi-skilled employees. For miners, artisans, and officials, the company is offering a 4.5-percent wage increase, which will be capped at 5.5-percent. The unions say the company is playing hardball, and it can meet their demands.

# The European Union on Thursday formally approved a 1.7-trillion-rand loan to Ukraine and new sanctions ‌against Russia, ahead of an informal summit of the bloc’s leaders in Cyprus, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend. The loan is set to cover two-thirds of Ukraine’s needs for the next two years. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said while Russia doubles down on its ⁠aggression, the EU is doubling down on support to the Ukrainian nation. Zelensky said the package will make Ukraine more resilient and enable the country to fulfil its obligations to Ukrainians.

# Rugby: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will make his comeback from a calf injury in the Sharks’ United Rugby Championship visit to Edinburgh tonight for their final away match of the season. Kolisi will play off the bench in what will be his 50th cap for the Sharks. Coach JP Pietersen brought flyhalf Siya Masuku in at inside centre and moved captain Andre Esterhuizen to 13. Makazole Mapimpi replaces Ethan Hooker on the wing. The forward pack is the same as last week, with Springbok strongmen Ox Nche and Vincent Koch again playing off the bench.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-58-cents and the euro at 19-rand-37-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-34-cents and Bitcoin trades at 78-thousand-341-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-693-dollars-76-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 100-dollars-68-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….