News 07:00

BULLETIN 21 February 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa sets May 29th as the election date
# The High Court will deliver judgement on ANC cadre deployment
# And in tennis, two South Africans are through to the second round of the WIPHOLD international tournament for women

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the national and provincial elections will take place on the 29th of May this year. The president says he consulted with the Independent Electoral Commission on the election date. Presidential spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says Ramaphosa also convened a meeting with all nine provincial premiers and the IEC to discuss the state of readiness for the elections:

# The High Court in Pretoria will deliver judgment on the DA’s case challenging the constitutionality and lawfulness of the ANC’s cadre deployment policy. This follows the DA’s victory in the Constitutional Court, mandating the ANC to disclose its cadre deployment records. DA federal leader John Steenhuisen and national spokesperson for Public Service and Administration, Leon Schreiber, are anticipated to attend.

# The Freedom Front Plus says it would be wishful thinking to expect a meaningful outlook on the expectations for today’s budget speech. Finance minister, Enoch Godongwana, is set to outline the government’s priorities in its planned expenditure including financial, economic, and social commitments. FF Plus’ Wouter Wessels, says structural reforms are needed to remove the institutional obstacles to economic growth:

# The Special Investigating Unit has welcomed the Special Tribunal declaring the awarding of a 113.2-million-rand personal protective equipment tender to LNG Scientific invalid and unlawful. The Gauteng Department of Health awarded the contract to the private company to provide personal protective equipment. An investigation by the SIU found that a competitive bidding process was not followed and the contracted prices were high. The SIU says LNG was also not registered on the government’s Central Supplier Database for the supply of PPE when it was awarded the contract.

# The US has vetoed a draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council presented by Algeria, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Thirteen countries on the 15-member body backed Algeria’s resolution, while the UK abstained. In its own draft resolution, the US is calling for a temporary ceasefire as soon as practicable, and on the condition that all hostages are released. United Arab Emirates deputy ambassador to the UN, Mohamed Abushahab, says he is deeply disappointed by the outcome of the vote:

# Tennis: South Africans, Isabella Kruger, and Lilitha Ndungane are through to the second round of the WIPHOLD International in Pretoria. Kruger progressed after her opponent, Indy de Vroome, of the Netherlands, was forced to retire while trailing, 3-6, 3-0. Eighteen-year-old Ndungane defeated compatriot, Kaitlyn Ramduth, 6-0, 6-1. Reigning Wimbledon junior champion, Clervie Ngounoue, of the US and tournament favourite, Laura Pagossi, of Brazil are also through to the second round.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-89-cents and the euro at 20-rand-43-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-86-cents and Bitcoin trades at 52-thousand-138-dollars-85-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-27-dollars-45-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-57-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….