News 06:00

BULLETIN 13 March 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Godongwana says the government’s debt relief plan saves 20-billion-rand
# Canada imposes 25-percent retaliatory tariffs against the US
# And rugby: Rassie Erasmus is happy with the Boks’ first alignment camp of the year

# Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana says the government’s debt relief plan will save 20-billion-rand. The plan involves reducing the final phase of Eskom’s debt takeover from 70-billion-rand to 40-billion-rand in 2025/2026 and ten-billion-rand in 2028/2029. In his address to the National Assembly on the budget, Godongwana said this adjustment is expected to strengthen the fiscal position, reduce debt-service costs, and improve the government’s ability to manage its debt more effectively, contributing to greater economic stability:

Godongwana has meanwhile allocated five-billion-rand to support the South African National Defence Force’s peacekeeping efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is part of a broader nine-billion-rand allocation for security functions, which also includes funding for correctional services. Godongwana said efforts will continue to modernise the military while ensuring the country meets its regional and international security obligations:

# The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development has welcomed a ruling by Malawi’s Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court, which approved the extradition of self-proclaimed prophet and fraud accused Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary. The couple fled South Africa in 2020 while facing multiple criminal charges, including rape and violating bail conditions. Ministry spokesperson Terrence Manase says they will oppose any appeal and, if no appeal is made, Interpol and the police will handle their transfer.

# The EFF in Gauteng is demanding immediate action from the City of Tshwane to address noise pollution caused by nightclubs near educational institutions. Areas including Hatfield, Sunnyside, and Arcadia have faced disturbances affecting students’ academic success and safety. The EFF claims local authorities, including the Tshwane Metro Police, have failed to act, accusing some officials of accepting bribes. The EFF calls for stricter nightclub regulations and transparency on nightclub operations in educational zones.

# Canada has announced 25-percent retaliatory tariffs on more than 367-billion-rand worth of US goods, such as steel and aluminium products, effective from today. This comes after US president Donald Trump imposed sweeping 25-percent tariffs on all steel and aluminium imported into America from Canada on Wednesday. Canada’s Finance minister, Dominic LeBlanc, says the list of additional products affected by counter-tariffs also includes computers, sports equipment and cast iron products:

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus plans to expand the national group’s skill base. He completed the Boks’ first alignment camp of the year in Cape Town, during which the players participated in gym and boardroom sessions. Erasmus says the purpose of the camps is to get everyone on the same page about what the year looks like, to set goals, and inform the players of what is expected of them. He is delighted at how the players gelled and learned from one another.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-34-cents and the euro at 19-rand-94-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-74-cents and Bitcoin trades at 83-thousand-463-dollar-10-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-935-dollars-6-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-99-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….