News 07:00

BULLETIN 30 March 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says the US-Israeli war is another act of imperialism
# Pope Leo condemns leaders who use God as justification for war
# And, the Border Management Authority extends border crossing hours for Easter

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the illegal war that the US and Israel have waged against Iran is another act of imperialist aggression, which has placed the global economy and international security at great risk. According to the Red Crescent, the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least one-thousand-900 people. Delivering the closing address at the 11th ANC Limpopo elective conference on Sunday, Ramaphosa emphasised that South Africa has stood firm in supporting the sovereignty of other nations:

Meanwhile, pope Leo has described the conflict between Iran, Israel, and the US as atrocious, saying that God cannot be used to justify war. His comments come after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth prayed for violence against enemies who deserve no mercy during a religious service at the Pentagon last week. During a Palm Sunday mass in St Peter’s Square, the first US-born pontiff said God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them. He has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the region.

# Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture and Patriotic Alliance leader, Gayton McKenzie, says he will take legal action against multiple parties, including National Correctional Services Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale, and broadcaster eNCA. This follows a televised interview in which prison inmate Jermaine Prim made allegations against McKenzie. He claimed that the minister sent two mobile phones to him while incarcerated, and the Patriotic Alliance and some of its members are proxies for drug cartels. McKenzie has strongly rejected the allegations, saying this is dirty politics at play.

# The Border Management Authority and Home Affairs Department have extended operating hours at some of the key ports of entry, which do not operate on a 24-hour basis, for the upcoming Easter long weekend. While unveiling the Easter Operational Plan, commissioner Michael Masiapato said minister Leon Schreiber has approved the extensions at Groblersbridge, Kopfontein, Kosibay, Jeppes Reef, and Caledonspoort:

# The City of Tshwane multiparty coalition government has successfully tabled its draft budget for the 2026/27 financial year for public consultation. This marks the second consecutive fully funded budget tabled by this administration, reinforcing the City’s commitment to financial stability and credible, cash-backed budgeting. Mayoral committee member for Finance and deputy mayor, Eugene Modise says the Draft Budget reflects a disciplined financial framework, with operating revenue increasing by 7-percent and expenditure kept within sustainable limits, resulting in a balanced and funded position.

# Golf: South Africa’s Martin Vorster won the DNi Tour Championship at the De Zalze Golf Club in the Western Cape, his maiden Sunshine Tour title. He closed with a 66 to win on 21 under par, with compatriots Altin van der Merwe and Jaco Prinsloo sharing second place on 19 under. This was the final tournament of the Courier Guy Playoffs to mark the end of the Sunshine Tour’s 2025/2206 season. Vorster says that finally getting over the line is really special:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-16-cents and the euro at 19-rand-74-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-73-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-410-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-454-dollars-25-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 108-dollars-14-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….