News 15:00

BULLETIN 20 May 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Fuel prices push inflation higher
# The South African Revenue Service introduces a new vehicle declaration system
# And rugby: England’s coach defends his selection of South African-born Benhard Janse van Rensburg

# Consumer inflation rose to 4.0-percent last month from 3.1-percent in March, driven mainly by sharp increases in fuel prices. This is the highest inflation since August 2024. Fuel costs surged 18.2-percent month-on-month, the highest in 18-years, with petrol prices up 15.2-percent and diesel prices rising 35.4-percent. Transport costs increased, especially in air fares. Statistics SA’s chief director for Price Statistics, Patrick Kelly, say fuel remains the key driver of price pressures:

# Forum for South Africa is calling on Small Business Development minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams to publish a full list of beneficiaries of the Spaza Shop Fund and provide a detailed impact assessment of the 79.6-million-rand spent. She has announced government has allocated the money in financial support to spaza shop owners across the country. FOSA leader, Tebogo Mashilompane says there is no clear, publicly accessible list of recipients:

# Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero urges Electricity and Energy minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa to prevent a potential power blackout linked to the city’s growing debt to Eskom. Morero warns diligent ratepayers could be affected if electricity supply is disrupted due to unpaid municipal arrears estimated at 5.2-billion-rand. He says the appeal comes amid rising concern over municipal debt. Morero calls for urgent intervention to protect residents, businesses and essential services from widespread electricity disruptions.

# The South African Revenue Service will require all foreign-registered vehicles to be declared on its Traveller Management System before entering or leaving the country from June first next year. Commissioner Johnstone Makhubu says the move aims to modernise customs operations, strengthen border security and improve traveler processing. Temporary import permits will remain valid for six months and allow multiple crossings. SARS warns failure to comply or providing false information could result in delays and enforcement action. Officials will assist travelers unable to complete declarations online.

# Rugby: England’s coach, Steve Borthwick, has defended his selection of South African-born centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg for the training camp ahead of the inaugural Nations Championship. The 29-year-old former South Africa under-20 player will complete his five-year eligibility period on July 8. The Rugby Football Union successfully lobbied World Rugby to bring the date forward from November. Borthwick says he thinks very highly of Janse van Rensburg:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-59-cents and the euro at 19-rand-24-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-23-cents and Bitcoin trades at 77-thousand-426-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-493-dollars-90-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 105-dollars-24-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….