News 07:00

BULLETIN 16 March 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Presidency dismisses a report that ties South Africa to weapons smuggling to Iran
# SALGA warns Eskom power cuts could trigger instability
# And Zelensky claims Russia is supplying Iran with drones to target US assets

# The Presidency has dismissed a report alleging that South Africa assisted Iran in smuggling weapons to militant groups in the Middle East. According to the City Press, the existence of an intelligence report ties together Iran, South Africa, the Taliban and Yemeni Houthis in a weapons smuggling operation. The report claims Taliban operatives had previously been trained in South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, suggested that the report is fake and a subversion tactic.

# National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, says Operation Prosper, in partnership with the South African National Defence Force, marks a significant step in strengthening the country’s response to violent crime and organised criminal networks. President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the deployment of SANDF members to crime hotspots in Gauteng, the Western Cape, the Eastern Cape, the Free State, and the North West. Masemola says more than two-thousand soldiers will be working alongside SAPS over a period of 13 months:

# The South African Local Government Association has warned that plans by Eskom to interrupt electricity supply to indebted municipalities could cause instability. Salga portfolio head for energy and electricity Nhlanhla Ngidi says cutting power would punish communities and worsen tensions between residents and local authorities. Eskom has issued notices to 14 municipalities that owe billions of rand in unpaid electricity bills and has begun a legal consultation process before any disconnections are implemented. 

# The chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Mikateko Mahlaule, says Ekapa Mine in the Northern Cape must account for the tragedy that left miners trapped following a mud rush. The committee conducted an oversight visit, where specialist mine rescue and emergency response teams have been deployed in the last three weeks. The Department says Ekapa mine had been issued nine notices of non compliance before the tragedy. Mahlaule urged management to continue efforts to recover the bodies of the miners and ensure safety standards are upheld.

# Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky says their intelligence shows Russia is helping Iran target US assets in the Middle East by supplying Shahed drones. Tehran originally developed the Shahed drone, but Moscow now manufactures its own versions, using them in its war against Kyiv. Zelensky told CNN that Russia is also providing Iran with intelligence about the locations and movements of American troops, ships, and aircraft:

# Golf: South Africa’s Daniel van Tonder won the Serengeti Playoffs, the first tournament on The Courier Guy Playoffs series, by two strokes at Serengeti Estates in Gauteng. He finished on 21 under par to secure his first victory of the season. South Africa’s Wilco Nienaber and Germany’s Allen John shared second place on 19 under par. Van Tonder, who has moved into fourth place on The Courier Guy Order of Merit, says finally winning this trophy is special:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-85-cents and the euro at 19-rand-28-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-33-cents and Bitcoin trades at 72-thousand-644-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-995-dollars-36-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 100-dollars-4-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….