News 06:00

BULLETIN 6 March 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Paul Mashatile says the police will need more anti-corruption measures
# The Agriculture minister warns against misinformation during the foot and mouth vaccination
# And cricket: India beat England to reach the T20 World Cup final

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says although government has implemented several measures aimed at detecting and preventing corruption, further measures will be required following the final findings of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. He answered oral questions in the National Council of Provinces yesterday. Mashatile says the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster remains central to ensuring a coordinated, whole-of-government response to crime, violence, and corruption within the criminal justice system:

# Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen has confirmed that the government will cover the full cost of vaccinating the national herd against foot and mouth disease. Vaccines are now being distributed to all provinces, with hundreds of thousands of animals vaccinated each week, targeting 80-percent coverage by December. Steenhuisen emphasised that no farmer will pay for the vaccines, urging stakeholders to rely on official information to avoid misinformation during this national biosecurity effort:

# A new study by the Localisation Support Fund has revealed that South Africa’s industrial hemp sector could grow into a 40-billion-rand market by 2040 if supported by clear policies and industry development. CEO Irshaad Kathrada says regulatory clarity and processing infrastructure are key to unlocking investment. The report aligns with the National Cannabis Master Plan, highlighting opportunities in food, textiles, construction, and personal care products.

# The Gauteng Education Department has launched internal processes following the arrest of a mathematics teacher from Ivory Park Secondary School. The teacher is accused of raping a learner, who was in grade eleven at the time, during private tutoring sessions. The department’s Steve Mabona says the alleged incident reportedly took place during private tutoring in December last year, and the teacher was arrested on Wednesday after attempting to evade authorities:

# Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev has called drone strikes in his country an act of terror. One drone struck the terminal building of the Nakhchivan International Airport while another fell near a school building in Shakarabad. Two civilians were injured. Azerbaijani authorities have blamed the attack on Iran, but Tehran has denied this, suggesting the incident may have been a false-flag operation by Israel. Aliyev says armed forces have been instructed to prepare and implement appropriate retaliatory measures.

# Cricket: Defending champions and co-hosts India are through to the T20 World Cup final, after beating England by seven runs in Mumbai. Sanju Samson smashed 89 from just 42 balls to spearhead India’s charge to 253 for seven after being asked to bat first. In reply, despite Jacob Bethell’s brilliant 105 off 48 balls, England fell short, reaching 246 for seven in their 20 overs, the highest score in a losing chase in T20. India will face New Zealand in the final on Sunday in Ahmedabad.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-62-cents and the euro at 19-rand-32-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-21-cents and Bitcoin trades at 71-thousand-246-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-84-dollars-63-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-55-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….