News 07:00

BULLETIN 25 April 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The IFP says the DA cannot be in the government and oppose its decisions at the same time
# The Forum for SA urges president Ramaphosa to fire the minister of Finance
# And world leaders accuse Putin of not willing to make peace

# The IFP says the DA cannot be in the government of national unity and oppose the decisions proposed by the same government. Finance minister Enoch Godongwana has scrapped the proposed 0.5-percent value-added tax increase, following extensive consultations with political parties and careful consideration of the recommendations of the parliamentary committees. The IFP’s national spokesperson, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, says the country’s economy is in dire straits and much more is needed to turn things around:

Meanwhile, Forum for South Africa calls on president Cyril Ramaphosa to remove the minister, labelling him incompetent and fatigued. The organisation argues Godongwana’s handling of the proposed VAT increase before scrapping it entirely, shows indecisiveness and a lack of concern for the poor. The forum’s Tebogo Mashilompane says the minister’s actions prove he is out of touch and unfit to manage the country’s finances:

# The South African National Taxi Council has clarified that continued Covid-19 relief fund payments to taxi operators are legitimate and follow strict eligibility criteria. According to the council, only tax-compliant operators with valid operating licenses qualify. They dismissed claims of irregular payments, stating delays are often due to license backlogs, not mismanagement. Santaco’s Rebecca Phala remains hopeful that ongoing talks with the government will lead to the taxi industry finally receiving subsidies:

# The Department of Water and Sanitation has activated more controlled water releases in the Vaal River System. Two additional sluice gates were also opened with the Vaal Dam now at 111-percent capacity. Meanwhile, the department’s spokesperson Wisane Mavasa has warned that Bloemhof Dam, at almost 107-percent will increase outflows. Mavasa says that overflowing dams, including Grootdraai, Gariep, and Vanderkloof, have caused flooding risks and that residents near floodlines are urged to evacuate and avoid low-lying areas.

# World leaders have condemned Russia’s latest airstrikes on Ukraine, which killed 12 people in Kyiv. France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, urged Russian president Vladimir Putin to stop lying about wanting peace in Ukraine. UK prime minister Keir Starmer says the airstrikes are a real reminder that Moscow is the aggressor in the war. Denmark’s Foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen says the attack is another testament to Putin’s brutality, while the Czech Republic’s Foreign minister Jan Lipavský claims that it is Russia that does not want a peace deal.

# Rugby: Springbok fullback Willie le Roux and flank Marco van Staden are back in the Bulls squad to face defending champions Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship in Scotland tonight. Le Roux, who underwent minor surgery in March, is on the bench, while Van Staden starts at number 8 after missing last weekend’s game against Munster. SA Under-20 lock Jacobus Grobbelaar is set to make his debut from the bench. The Bulls are currently third on the URC log, four points behind second-placed Glasgow.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-82-cents and the euro at 21-rand-36-cents. One British pound costs 25-rand-4-cents and Bitcoin trades at 93-thousand-690-dollar-10-cents. Gold sells at three-thousand-355-dollars-41-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-82-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….