News 07:00

BULLETIN 13 March 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA rejects the passing of the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill
# Cosatu calls for sobriety and respect for the electoral laws
# And the UN World Food Programme delivers food in Gaza for the first time in weeks

# The National Assembly has passed the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill by 240 votes to 90. The legislation changes the funding formula of how political parties and independents represented in legislatures receive funding from the government. The bill also makes it an offence, punishable with a fine, imprisonment, or both, where donations are made to gain political influence and favour. The ANC, EFF and National Freedom Party voted in favour of the bill. It will now be sent to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence.

Meanwhile, the DA says it rejects the passing of the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill, describing it as an attempt at directing more public and donor funds to the ANC. The DA’s, Adrian Roos, says the amendments have nothing to do with the inclusion of independent candidates:

# Union federation Cosatu urges all political parties and candidates to adhere to the Electoral Act ahead of the 29 May elections. They warn against threats of civil war and intimidation tactics, urging authorities to enforce the law and ensure a peaceful election process. This comes after several incidents of misconduct, including threats from the uMkhonto we Sizwe party and the Economic Freedom Fighters. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks urges the Independent Electoral Commission, Electoral Court, and the police to act against any violations.

# City of Johannesburg’s Speaker of Council Margaret Arnolds condemns the ongoing gun violence and senseless killings in areas like Riverlea, Newclare, Westbury, and Eldorado Park. She expressed deep concern over the frequency of these incidents, including the recent shooting in Westbury that claimed the life of community activist Ashwyn McCabe. Arnolds called for an end to the violence, stating enough is enough. She urged law enforcement agencies to address the root causes of gun violence, ensuring safer spaces for youth development and communities.

# The United Nations World Food Programme says it delivered enough food for 25-thousand people to Gaza City yesterday, in the first successful convoy since the 20th of last month. The agency had suspended food deliveries to Gaza because its recent convoys had endured complete chaos and violence, due to the collapse of civil order including violent looting. Last week, more than 100 Palestinians were killed as crowds rushed to reach an aid convoy. The UN agency says any food and other emergency aid that comes into Gaza, is desperately needed.

# Golf: PGA Tour commissioner, Jay Monahan, says negotiations to finalise the framework agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund are accelerating. In June last year, the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and the PIF, who bankroll LIV Golf, announced a framework agreement to form one entity for commercial assets. Monahan says what they are trying to do is to get the best possible outcome for the PGA Tour and the sport:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-67-cents and the euro at 20-rand-41-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-89-cents and Bitcoin trades at 71-thousand-999-dollar-2-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-160-dollars-43-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-30-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….