News 07:00

BULLETIN 31 March 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Five officers linked to the Medicare24 contract served with notices of intention to suspend
# AgriSA says legal battles distract attention from urgent efforts to control foot-and-mouth disease
# And rugby: 14 Springboks are included in the Bulls touring squad for the Glasgow clash

# The South African Police Service has issued notices of intention to suspend five of the 12 senior police officers linked to the controversial 360-million-rand Medicare24 contract. Crime kingpin Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala allegedly bribed top police officers, including generals, to secure the contract for his company, Medicare24. The 12 officers appeared in court last week and are currently out on bail. The police’s Lineo Nkhuoa says the five officers have been allowed to make representations:

# The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse says Eskom’s decision to extend the solar registration deadline offers short-term relief to households but fails to address fundamental flaws in the policy. The organisation argues that the extension follows strong public resistance to a requirement that lacks clear legal and practical justification. It urges the utility to scrap unnecessary red tape. According to OUTA, the added administrative burden increases costs and creates confusion for residents and small businesses already dealing with energy insecurity.

# AgriSA is calling for a unified national response to the ongoing outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. This follows the High Court in Pretoria ruling ordering the government to formalise its vaccination plan by 17 April. The organisation warns that court proceedings during the animal health crisis have slowed coordinated efforts to control the disease. AgriSA’s CEO Johann Kotzé cites that they continue to work with all stakeholders to curb the spread of the disease.

# The Gauteng Education Department says a law firm will be appointed to investigate the fatal wall collapse at Lerutle Primary School in Daveyton, Ekurhuleni, which resulted in the death of a Grade 3 learner. A section of the school wall collapsed during breaktime and fell on six pupils. Eight-year-old Lwazi Motuse succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. MEC Matome Chiloane says the law firm will help determine the facts behind this tragedy:

# The G7 energy and finance ministers and central bank governors say they are ready to take all necessary measures to preserve the stability and security of the energy market. This comes as the US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes targeting crude-exporting countries in the Middle East have resulted in energy prices skyrocketing. The attacks have also halted most shipments through the Gulf. The G7 ministers say they recognise the importance of coordinated international action to mitigate spillovers and safeguard macroeconomic stability.

# Rugby: Fourteen Springbok players have been included in the Bulls’ 33-man touring squad for this weekend’s Champions Cup round of 16 fixture away to the in-form Glasgow Warriors in Scotland. The Boks in the squad include the likes of Handrè Pollard, Willie le Roux, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Canan Moodie. Young duo Cheswill Jooste and Reinhardt Ludwig are also in the squad, following strong performances in recent weeks. Bulls coach Johan Ackermann says facing Glasgow will be a massive challenge:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-9-cents and the euro at 19-rand-63-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-58-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-765-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-582-dollars-35-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 106-dollars-16-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….