News 07:00

BULLETIN 23 January 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile will meet the Duke of Edinburgh today
# A SARS deadline is looming for provisional taxpayers to submit their returns
# And, Donald Trump is the favourite to win the New Hampshire Republican primary

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile is set to meet with the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, in Pretoria today.  He is currently on a working visit to South Africa. The Duke of Edinburgh’s visit follows the state visit that president Cyril Ramaphosa undertook to the United Kingdom in 2022. The presidency says the visit is indicative of the strong bilateral relationship that the United Kingdom and South Africa share.  The British High Commission’s economic counsellor, Mike Foster, told the SABC that the relationship between the two countries is important:

# AfriForum says the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Bill does not contain nearly enough measures to tackle the current problems at the NPA. The bill, which is currently before the National Council of Provinces, will amend the NPA Act to establish the Investigating Directorate against Corruption as a permanent structure, outline its powers and functions, and provide for the appointment of investigators. In its written submission, AfriForum says the bill fails to prescribe parliamentary oversight, which increases the risk of political interference in the NPA.

# The South African Revenue Service has urged provisional taxpayers to submit income tax returns by 24 January. SARS emphasises that meeting specific income criteria is essential to be classified as a provisional taxpayer. Trusts, irrespective of economic activity, must also annually file income tax returns with mandatory supporting documents from 2023 onward. SARS has streamlined the process through improved online filing on the eFiling platform, requiring provisional taxpayers to estimate their full tax year’s taxable income before submission.

# Gauteng’s portfolio committee on Community Safety pledges proactive oversight for school safety as the new academic year begins. The focus is on collaborative efforts with government departments, law enforcement, and communities to ensure the safety of teachers and learners. The committee plans a focus intervention study on school safety regulations. Chairperson Bandile Masuku has expressed gratitude to outgoing provincial Police commissioner Elias Mawela, for his service and dedication in addressing crime challenges:

# Former US president Donald Trump holds a clear lead among New Hampshire voters over Nikki Haley, his last remaining challenger, ahead of today’s Republican primary in the state. A Washington Post-Monmouth University poll has found that 52-percent of potential primary voters are supporting Trump, while 34-percent are backing Haley. Trump’s support in the state has grown by six percentage points since November last year. New Hampshire has predicted who would end up becoming the Republican nominee in 2008, 2012 and 2016.

# Cricket: SA20 defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape recorded an emphatic nine-wicket bonus point victory against last season’s runners-up Pretoria Capitals in Gqeberha. Ottniel Baartman had his career-best SA20 figures of four wickets for just 12 runs as the Capitals were dismissed for a record-low 52 all out. In reply, Jordan Hermann and Tom Abell shared an unbeaten 50-run partnership for the second wicket, as the Sunrisers cruised to victory with 79 balls remaining. Baartman says this comprehensive win is a big boost for the team:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-14-cents and the euro at 20-rand-86-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-37-cents and Bitcoin trades at 39-thousand-916-dollars-56-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-22-dollars-73-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-91-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….