News 08:00
BULLETIN 12 March 8 am
Good morning. I am ……..
In this bulletin:
# A record 27.79-million people are registered to vote in the elections
# The Institute for Security Studies predicts South Africa could stay on the greylist for over two years
# And, Joburg Water says work is continuing to improve the water flow in Randburg
# The Independent Electoral Commission says a record 27.79-million people are registered to vote in the 29 May elections, the highest number of registered voters since the dawn of democracy. Gauteng remains as the biggest voting block followed by KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. Over 55-percent of the voters’ roll are female. IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo says the certified voters’ roll will be made available today:
# The Institute for Security Studies says South Africa’s struggle to get off the greylist has partially to do with a lack of political will to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. The country was greylisted by the Financial Action Task Force in February last year, for failing to comply with most of the task force’s benchmark recommendations to combat illicit financial activity. The ISS says it is clear that countering terrorism financing remains a key deficiency for South Africa, predicting that the country could remain greylisted for more than two years.
# Johannesburg Water says airlocks have been flushed out of the network to improve water flow into the Linden One and Blairgowrie systems in Randburg. This comes as large parts of Randburg continue to suffer without water supply. Johannesburg Water’s spokesperson, Nombuso Shabalala, says reduced water flow into the Linden One and Blairgowrie reservoirs is due to increased demand as a result of the hot weather conditions:
# The South African Weather Service has confirmed the significant intensification of Tropical Storm Filipo, located between Madagascar and mainland southern Africa. Kevin Rae of the Weather Service warns that the storm’s potential hazards include torrential rain, damaging winds exceeding 100 kilometres per hour, and a storm surge elevating sea levels by up to 50-centimetres. Filipo is expected to make landfall near Inhassoro in Mozambique, with risks of weather-related damage persisting throughout the week:
# Commonwealth Games: The Commonwealth Games Federation says it is in advanced, confidential discussions with potential hosts for the 2026 Games. The Australian state of Victoria ditched its plans to host in July last year due to soaring costs. The Olympic Council of Malaysia has revealed that it has received a formal invitation to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The federation says it welcomes innovative proposals and is in positive discussions with potential hosts. The Games have only ever been cancelled twice, in 1942 and 1946, because of World War Two.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-68-cents and the euro at 20-rand-44-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-96-cents and Bitcoin trades at 71-thousand-779-dollars-65-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-178-dollars-35-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-43-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….