News 16:00

BULLETIN 14 May 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa dismisses minister Tolashe amid undeclared vehicle allegations
# Unexpected economic growth for the UK amidst political instability and the Iranian war
# And rugby: Springbok Asenathi Ntlabakanye is banned for 18 months

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe in terms of the Constitution. This follows serious allegations that she failed to declare two vehicles reportedly donated by Chinese officials to the ANC Women’s League, and registered them in her children’s names. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says the allegations against Tolashe are serious and not minor political controversies:

The DA said earlier the affairs of the Department of Social Development were collapsing under minister Tolashe. Some SASSA grant beneficiaries, who have already been successfully biometrically verified, have still not received their grants this month. The DA’s Nazley Sharif says beneficiaries have reported unanswered phones, inaccessible support channels, and total silence from SASSA, while severe weather conditions make travel to local offices dangerous and, in many cases, impossible:

Moving abroad:

# Growth in sub-Saharan Africa is still expected to reach 4.1-percent this year and 3.8-percent next year, according to an analysis by financial intelligence firm S&P Global Market Intelligence. Regional analysis head Thea Fourie says many sub-Saharan countries were less impacted by the fuel and other commodities price shocks than regions such as Europe or Asia-Pacific. She adds the resilience of the region is owed to the demand for critical minerals, rare earths and the acceleration in commodity prices over the past few months, including for copper, aluminium and lithium.

Meanwhile, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves says the country’s latest growth figures show government has the right economic plan. The UK economy grew by 0.6-percent in the first quarter as production and construction held up well in the face of higher energy costs due to the war in Iran. Reeves says now is not the time to put economic stability at risk, cautioning a possible leadership challenge against prime minister Keir Starmer:

# Rugby: Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been banned from all rugby for 18 months after testing positive for a banned substance. He has been withdrawn from this weekend’s United Rugby Championship match for the Lions against Irish team Munster because the ban is in effect from yesterday. The Lions Rugby Company confirmed it had received communication from the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport regarding the decision. It adds they will continue to support Ntlabakanye as he navigates the process ahead.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-38-cents and the euro at 19-rand-17-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-14-cents and Bitcoin trades at 79-thousand-401-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-703-dollars-88-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 101-dollars-92-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….