News 06:00

BULLETIN 2 March 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Iranian president says revenge for the US-Israel strikes is his country’s right and duty
# ActionSA demands minister Macpherson repays the costs of his Brazil trip
# And cricket: South Africa beat Zimbabwe to remain unbeaten in the T20 World Cup

# Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian says the killing of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the US and Israeli strikes was a declaration of war against Muslims. The US-Israel airstrikes in Iran on Saturday killed Khamenei and other senior officials. Iran retaliated by launching waves of missiles and drones at Israel and at several US military sites across the Middle East. Causalities were reported in Dubai in the UAE, Qatar’s capital Doha, Bahrain, and Kuwait. In a televised address, Pezeshkian says it’s their right to avenge the perpetrators of this historic crime.

Meanwhile, a senior researcher from the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection, Na’eem Jeenah, says the US cannot be trusted on its promises as the Middle East conflict escalates. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika on the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war, Jeenah warns retaliation from Iran is expected to intensify in the coming days, potentially drawing in much of West Asia. He describes the situation as the start of a protracted conflict, criticises regional condemnation of Iran, and stresses that Iran faces existential threats, not the US:

# ActionSA has called on Public Works and Infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson to repay 839-thousand-rand spent on a trip to Brazil, where he reportedly took his partner despite legal advice against it. The party’s Malebo Kobe says the latest report by City Press comes on the back of the minister already racking up 3.2-million-rand in travel expenses as of June 2025. She emphasised the need for a full explanation and repayment, calling the spending wasteful and unjustifiable:

# The DA in Gauteng has criticised municipalities for diverting water infrastructure funds to unrelated programmes, warning this perpetuates the province’s water crisis. Highlighting decades of neglect and failed ANC plans, the party calls for urgent action, including repairing leaks, maintaining pump stations, reducing system pressure, enforcing governance, targeting major losses, and cautiously expanding supply. DA spokesperson Nico De Jager says stabilising Gauteng’s water requires discipline, proper resources, and implementation, rather than relying on new infrastructure promises.

# Cricket: South Africa defeated Zimbabwe by five wickets in their final Super Eight clash in the T20 World Cup in New Delhi, to remain unbeaten in the tournament. Kwena Maphaka and Corbin Bosch took two wickets each as the Proteas restricted Zimbabwe to 153 for seven, despite captain Sikandar Raza’s brilliant 73 from 34 balls. In reply, Dewald Brevis hit 42 off 18 balls as the 2024 runners-up reached the winning target with 13 balls to spare. South Africa will face New Zealand in the semifinals in Kolkata on Wednesday.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-8-cents and the euro at 18-rand-91-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-57-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-338-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-278-dollars-60-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-96-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, is expected to lead the national launch of the 30th anniversary of the Constitution, and the commencement of Human Rights Month at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. Spokesperson Terrence Manase says the celebrations will reflect, renew, and recommit to one Constitution and one nation as well as making human dignity real, honouring the Sharpeville victim,s and promoting equality and freedom:

Stay tuned for more news………….