News 06:00

BULLETIN 26 March 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC rejects AfriForum’s Mbalula dossier
# Fannie Masemola is summoned to court over Matlala’s tender
# And, Iran rejects the US 15-point proposal to end the war

# The ANC has dismissed AfriForum’s so-called ‘Mbalula dossier’ as a politically motivated attack on its secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula. The party accused the civil rights organisation of acting as a foreign-aligned group undermining South Africa’s sovereignty and opposing post-apartheid transformation. It reaffirmed its full confidence in its secretary-general and leadership. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu says the focus remains on defending national sovereignty, advancing economic transformation, and improving the lives of South Africans:

# National police commissioner Fannie Masemola has been summoned to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on 21 April over a 360-million-rand Medicare24 police contract linked to businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala. Masemola, along with 12 senior police officers, including Matlala, faces charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says Masemola’s charges related to alleged violations of the Public Finance Management Act:

# The Southern African Agri Initiative, Saai,  together with Sakeliga and Free State Agriculture, has won a court order forcing the Department of Agriculture to finalise a foot-and-mouth vaccination scheme by 17 April. The High Court in Pretoria also allows farmers and stakeholders previously excluded from the process to provide input into the final vaccination plan. Saai CEO Francois Rossouw warns that total state control has driven up costs and left hundreds of farms and commercial herds at risk.

# Iran has rejected the US 15-point proposal for ending the war, describing it as excessive. Reportedly, the proposal includes dismantling Iran’s nuclear programme, restricting its use of missiles, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says any cessation of hostilities will only occur on its own terms. Tehran has listed five conditions for ending the war. These include a complete halt to aggression and assassinations by the US and Israel, recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, and payment for war damages and reparations.

# Rugby: The Springbok Women’s Sevens squad last weekend qualified for the Sevens World Championship series with one tournament left to play. Maria Tshiremba says it was a huge relief, but they are not done and still want to finish on the strongest possible terms when the final tournament takes place in Sao Paulo.  Tshiremba has scored 11 tries in the three qualifying events before the Brazil finale.  South Africa face Spain in their opening match again on Saturday, before taking on Kenya and Brazil. On Sunday, they will finish the tournament against Argentina and China.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-92-cents and the euro at 19-rand-58-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-63-cents and Bitcoin trades at 71-thousand-242-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-521-dollars-37-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 97-dollars-98-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Renowned South African journalist, author, and anti-apartheid activist, Terry Bell, has passed away at the age of 84. He died while on a family trip with his daughter and son-in-law on Wednesday. He and his wife, Barbara, were banned by the apartheid government in 1966 and lived in exile for many years. His journalistic career spanned over six decades, contributing to outlets like The Mail & Guardian, City Press, GroundUp, and Sunday Times. Bell authored several books, including the acclaimed memoir A Hat, a Kayak, and Dreams of Dar.

Stay tuned for more news………….