News 06:00

BULLETIN 6 March 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Build One SA accuses the ANC of destroying jobs
# The NPA takes steps to prioritise Truth and Reconciliation Commission cases
# And, rugby: Kolbe could be out for up to six weeks with a hand injury

# Build One South Africa says it is clear that the ANC government cannot manage the economy and implement reforms that ignite real growth. South Africa’s economy grew by a marginal 0.1-percent in the fourth quarter of last year. Six of the ten industries including mining kept the economy in the green. The sectors hardest hit include trade and agriculture. BOSA deputy leader, Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster, says this shows the ANC’s central role as a destroyer of jobs:

The National Prosecuting Authority says it has acknowledged former president Thabo Mbeki’s recent statement. NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga says the NPA affirms its commitment to investigating and prosecuting cases from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Mhaga says despite challenges, the NPA has made progress with 137 cases registered for investigation. Of this, 21 matters have been finalised with a decision, and ten matters are on the court roll. Mhaga assured accountability for Truth and Reconciliation Commission-related crimes, as well as the prioritisation of victims’ interests.

# In his role as leader of government business, deputy president Paul Mashatile welcomes the progress made in finalising key bills by the National Assembly in the first quarter of the year. These include the Public Administration Management Amendment Bill and the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill. The public service Bills are now with the National Council of Provinces for consideration, while others have been referred to specific parliamentary committees. Mashatile expressed confidence that all priority legislation will pass through the parliamentary process and become laws of the Republic.

# The DA in Ekurhuleni has submitted a motion of no confidence in EFF council speaker, Nthabiseng Tshivhenga, saying she has utterly failed in her duties. The City of Ekurhuleni council sitting last week Thursday erupted into chaos when the ANC clashed with the EFF. The two parties co-govern the metro. The DA’s, Raymond Dhlamini, says the violence that erupted in the council under Tshivhenga’s watch, reveals exactly what their priorities are:

# The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants against two high-ranking Russian military leaders for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. Lieutenant general, Sergei Ivanovich Kobylash, and admiral, Viktor Sokolov, are accused of being responsible for a missile campaign targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure between October 2022 and March of last year. The ICC says they are responsible for war crimes of directing attacks at civilians, causing excessive harm to civilians which amounts to a crime against humanity.

# Rugby: Double World Cup-winning Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe could be out of action for his Japanese team for up to six weeks. He sustained a hand injury while playing for Suntory Sungoliath, and is currently wearing a brace. Suntory is currently third in the Japan League One. Kolbe should be fit well in time for the start of the Boks’ international season against Wales at Twickenham in London on the 22nd of June but wasn’t included in this week’s alignment camp in Cape Town.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-98-cents and the euro at 20-rand-60-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-11-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-681-dollars-54-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-126-dollars-90-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….