News 06:00

BULLETIN 10 April 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA says its elective congress will reflect the party’s growth and institutional maturity
# Solidarity calls for an urgent end to excessive fuel charges
# And, Netanyahu has directed his cabinet to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon

# The DA says all systems are in place to ensure a seamless, credible, and well-run elective congress at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Gauteng, this weekend. More than two-thousand delegates are expected at the congress, where a new leader will be elected to replace John Steenhuisen. The DA’s Presiding Officer of Federal Congress, Werner Horn, says they will deliberate on key organisational and policy matters, including constitutional amendments, policy resolutions, and leadership reports central to strengthening governance and delivery:

# EFF leader Julius Malema says voters should prioritise service delivery and policy over personalities ahead of the local government elections. Addressing the media, Malema said South Africa needs action on issues such as poor services, potholes, and illegal dumping, rather than images highlighting failures. He warned that complacency and failure will not be tolerated, urging party members to engage actively with communities and ensure local issues are addressed:

# Trade union Solidarity urges fuel companies to immediately stop excessive overhead charges of up to three-rand per litre on diesel and one-rand per litre on petrol. The union warns these costs are being passed on to consumers, with service stations unable to absorb them and wholesalers abusing their monopoly positions. Solidarity’s Theuns du Buisson calls for accountability from fuel companies and vows to continue applying pressure until the charges are scrapped.

# Gauteng police have launched an investigation after two people were shot dead and two others wounded in Ormonde, south of Johannesburg, yesterday. According to reports, one of the deceased victims was allegedly a local businessman who was being escorted by two security guards while transporting cash when the shooting happened. Gauteng police spokesperson, Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, says no arrests have been made, and the motive for the shooting is unknown:

# Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has ordered his cabinet to open direct talks with Lebanon. He says the focus will be on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between the two countries. This comes as the Israeli Defence Force launched its biggest attack on Lebanon on Wednesday, killing over 200 people. The IDF hit more than 100 of what it called Hezbollah command centres and military sites. Netanyahu added that he welcomed a call by the Lebanese prime minister, Nawaf Salam, to demilitarise Beirut.

# Road running: Paralympic medalist and world record holder Louizanne Coetzee is set to make her debut in the 56-kilometre Two Oceans Marathon this weekend. Coetzee says she is excited but nervous as she takes on her first ultra-distance race while continuing to compete on the track. She says the event will help build experience ahead of the Los Angeles Paralympic Games. Coetzee adds that shorter ultras are part of her preparation, strengthening her mentally for future marathon competitions.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-35-cents and the euro at 19-rand-11-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-96-cents and Bitcoin trades at 72-thousand-72-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-762-dollars-95-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 93-dollars-69-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….