News 06:00

BULLETIN 10 March 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa has extended the deadline for the Madlanga Commission
# Environmental groups are taking Eskom’s nuclear-1 project near Koeberg to court
# And cricket: Two Proteas players are included in the 2026 T20 World Cup Team

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the deadline of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry to conclude its work. The commission, which is investigating allegations of criminality, political interference, and corruption in the criminal justice system, is now expected to submit its second interim report by May 29th. The deadline for its final report has been moved to August 31st. Ramaphosa says he granted the extension due to the number of outstanding people who still need to appear before the commission. The president received the commission’s first interim report in December last year.

# Eskom’s proposed nuclear one project at Duynefontein near Koeberg has been taken to the High Court in the Western Cape over concerns about its environmental approval. Environmental groups, including the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute, argue the environmental approval for the long-delayed project was granted in breach of environmental impact assessment laws. SAFCEI’s Francesca de Gasparis says the “zombie” nuclear project failed to properly assess renewable energy alternatives and potential risks: 

# The DA says severe shortcomings have been exposed at the Daveyton Thuthuzela Care Centre, a key facility for rape survivors. An oversight visit revealed a lack of adult rape kits, severe staff shortages, and no dedicated social worker, prosecutor, or case manager. Facilities are poor, with only one patient toilet, no counselling space, and limited medical supplies. The DA’s Michele Clarke calls for immediate action to restore dignity and safety for survivors:

# The Motor Industry Staff Association has expressed concern about a possible fuel price hike due to the conflict in Iran. The union warns that higher fuel costs will hurt workers, increase transport expenses and the cost of living, while also affecting motor industry businesses and jobs. The association’s Phakamile Hlubi-Majola urges the government to urgently reform fuel pricing, ensuring workers and consumers are not forced to bear the burden of repeated price increases:

# Cricket: Two South Africans, captain Aiden Markram and Lungi Ngidi, have been named in the T20 World Cup Team of the Tournament. Markram led the Proteas to the semifinals, and he scored 286 runs in the tournament, including three half-centuries. He was also named the captain of the side. Ngidi took 12 wickets. The winning team, India, has four players selected: Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah. England has two players picked, while Pakistan, the West Indies, Zimbabwe, and the USA have one player each.  

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-31-cents and the euro at 18-rand-95-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-90-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-680-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-134-dollars-62-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 86-dollars-41-cents a barrel.

# And finally: FNB says it’s on track to launch smart identity card application services at selected branches following successful testing with the Department of Home Affairs. The service will allow citizens to apply for the re-issue of smart ID cards directly at bank branches, with plans to expand to more than 240 branches over the next year and eventually through the bank’s mobile app. The bank’s Zibu Nqala says the partnership forms part of a broader digital reform programme aimed at improving access to modernised identity services.

Stay tuned for more news………….