News 18:00

BULLETIN 30 April 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says the lack of load-shedding is not an electioneering strategy 
# The DA’s Rescue SA Tour in the Eastern Cape highlights safety concerns
# And Rugby: The quarterfinals is the goal for the Springbok Women’s Sevens in Singapore 

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile has dismissed load-shedding as an electoral tactic. Addressing delegates at the African United Business Confederation in Sandton he assured South Africans of improved operations, attributing the absence of load-shedding to a concerted Energy Action Plan. Mashatile reaffirms the government’s commitment to enhancing Eskom’s performance and enabling private investment in energy generation, emphasising the importance of sustainable energy solutions for businesses and households:

# DA leader John Steenhuisen has takes the Rescue South Africa Tour to Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape, aiming to address rising safety issues. Speaking to DA supporters and residents, Steeinhuisen said that recent international rankings labelled the city as South Africa’s most dangerous and ninth globally, with a 37-percent surge in the murder rate. He emphasised job creation as a deterrent to gang recruitment, highlighting the need to tackle nationwide unemployment for a better future.

Menwhile, the Electoral Commission cautions against misinformation urging voters over 60 to apply for early voting. A widely circulated message claiming everyone over 60 can cast a special vote at their polling station is false. Special voting will happen on 27 and 28 May and voters can apply online, via SMS, or by visiting their local IEC office. Applications for special votes will close on Friday. Home visits are for those unable to travel, while voting station visits are for those absent on 29 May.

# Real estate agents face licensing risks as the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority warns of fidelity fund certificate renewal hurdles over BEE compliance. Entities with under 2.5-million-rand turnover are exempt. The authority demands a BEE certificate with a minimum of 40 points. Lobby group Sakeliga says the threat by the authority to withhold fidelity fund certificates is concerning and contests its legality.

# Rugby: The Springbok Women’s Sevens team is in Singapore where the seventh of eight world series tournaments takes place this weekend. South Africa is in a tough pool with three teams they have been unable to beat this season – the USA, France and Japan. Their victories so far came against Fiji, Great Britain, Spain and Brazil. Nadine Roos says South Africa’s goal, nevertheless, is a top-eight finish: 

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-76-cents and the euro at 20-rand-10-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-51-cents and Bitcoin trades at 60-thousand-710-dollars-78-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-301-dollars-20-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-55-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….