News 13:00

BULLETIN 12 May 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Western Cape disaster management centres are on high alert as the damaging weather conditions continue
# ATM says Ramaphosa is attempting to delay parliamentary accountability with the reviewing of the panel report
# And rugby: Ruan Venter will miss the Lions’ United Rugby Championship clash in Limerick due to a knee injury

# The Western Cape government says the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and all Joint Operating Centres remain activated around the clock, as severe weather conditions have caused widespread damage. Localised flooding, electricity outages and fallen trees have been reported in the Overberg, Cape Winelands, Garden Route, West Coast and the Cape Town metropole. Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC, Anton Bredell, says the classification of the severe weather as a disaster is welcomed:

Meanwhile, the Airports Company South Africa has urged passengers travelling through Cape Town International Airport and George Airport to check for possible flight delays or cancellations. ACSA says both airports remain open and operational, but the inclement weather is affecting flights. ACSA says airport operations are being closely monitored, while diverted flights are being accommodated at alternative airports.

# African Transformation Movement says president Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to take the Section 89 independent panel’s report under review does not and cannot suspend the impeachment process of Parliament. The panel found Ramaphosa may have violated his oath of office through his actions in an alleged money cover-up at his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo in 2020. ATM spokesperson, Zama Ntshona, says Ramaphosa cannot evade accountability:

# Energy regulator NERSA has approved the national free basic electricity rate for the 2026/27 municipal financial year. The approved rate of 238.60 cents per kilowatt-hour will apply from July this year to June next year and will be used by Eskom to bill municipalities. NERSA spokesperson, Charles Hlebela, says the programme forms part of the country’s electricity basic services support tariff, which provides 50 kilowatt-hours of electricity to qualifying low-income households:

# Rugby: The Lions will be without loose forward Ruan Venter in this weekend’s final United Rugby Championship group match against Munster in Ireland. He injured his knee early in last weekend’s match against Leinster, which the Johannesburg team lost 31-7 to squander their hopes of finishing in the top-four and secure a home quarterfinal. Venter returned home already. The Lions are currently fifth on the log and need to beat Munster in Limerick to reach the knock-out phase.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-53-cents and the euro at 19-rand-42-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-36-cents and Bitcoin trades at 80-thousand-705-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-701-dollars-73-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 105-dollars-20-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….