News 08:00

BULLETIN 24 March 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The State Security Agency dismisses the existence of a so-called Operation Sibonkolo
# Minister Creecy wants to revitalise the rail and port networks
# And golf: George Coetzee wins the Serengeti Playoffs

# Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says the State Security Agency does not have an operation called Sibonkolo. This comes amid reports in a Sunday newspaper that an intelligence report claimed that Ntshavheni was accused of abusing state resources to further her political and personal ambitions. She allegedly initiated a covert operation called Sibonkolo to monitor and smear the current deputy president, Paul Mashatile, and nine other senior ANC leaders. Ntshavheni has described the allegations as diversionary tactics that seek to undermine progress in reforming the Agency.

# Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy, has officially unveiled a groundbreaking Request for Information process, aimed at transforming the country’s struggling rail and port infrastructure through strategic partnerships with the private sector. Government is seeking market information about private sector interest in developing much-needed rail and port infrastructure that will support the export of key commodities. Creecy says the country’s rail and port infrastructure face challenges of declining performance, theft and vandalism, under-investment, and operational inefficiencies, that ultimately hinder economic growth:

# The DA in Gauteng is urging the Tshwane Metro Police and SAPS to intensify efforts against crime. This follows a violent attack at Soshanguve’s Marry Me Informal Settlement, where four community patrollers were killed and eight others wounded. Victims were shot and partially burned, highlighting rising crime levels. DA’s Crezane Bosch calls for better policing resources to restore law and order:

# An Israeli airstrike hit a hospital in southern Gaza, killing five people including senior Hamas leader, Ismail Barhoum, on Sunday evening. He was being treated at the hospital for wounds sustained in a previous attack. Israel’s military says it had struck a key Hamas member operating inside the hospital compound, following an extensive intelligence-gathering process. Another leader in Hamas, Salah al-Bardaweel, was killed in a separate strike in Khan Younis. Israel resumed its military campaign in Gaza last week, ending a ceasefire that lasted almost two months. 

# Golf: South Africa’s George Coetzee shot a final round three-under 69 to win the Serengeti Playoffs by three strokes at the Serengeti Estates in Gauteng. This is his 15th title on the Sunshine Tour. Daniel van Tonder finished second on 16 under par with a final round of 69. Stefan Wears-Taylor shared third place with youngsters Kyle de Beer and Stals Swart. Coetzee says when he was injured he continued to work on his game:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-21-cents and the euro at 19-rand-72-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-54-cents and Bitcoin trades at 86-thousand-295-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-and-18-dollars a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-40-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….