News 08:00

BULLETIN 7 April 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Julius Malema labels the DA and FF Plus as enemies of progress
# Busisiwe Mkhwebane says the Legal Practice Council is undermining her credibility
# And an evacuation order is issued to residents next to the Vaal River

# EFF leader Julius Malema has reiterated that they will never work in a government that includes the DA and the Freedom Front Plus. He was speaking in Sophiatown, Johannesburg on Sunday, where he addressed the EFF’s land reclamation day event. The fate of the DA as a member of the government of national unity is in doubt, after it dissented against the budget framework last Wednesday. Malema says the DA and the FF Plus are the enemies of progress:

# Former Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane, says the timing and manner of the Legal Practice Council’s actions, suggest a politically motivated attempt to undermine her credibility. The council plans to file a court application to have Mkhwebane disbarred, saying this is based on findings from the Section 194 parliamentary inquiry. In 2023, she became the first Public Protector to be impeached, following the inquiry’s findings of misconduct and incompetence. Mkhwebane says her tenure as Public Protector upheld the highest legal and ethical standards.

# Residents of low-lying areas near the Vaal Dam are urged to evacuate due to potential flooding risks. A fifth sluice gate was opened on Sunday morning to manage increased levels due to continuing rain in the Vaal River catchment area. Department of Water and Sanitation’s spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa, says the dam has surpassed 100-percent capacity, with additional rainfall expected during this week:

# US president Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs have continued to send shockwaves around the world’s financial markets. Asian markets have plunged this morning, with Japan’s benchmark Nikkei falling by more than eight-percent shortly after opening, while South Korea’s Kospi tumbled more than 4.8-percent. Australia’s benchmark ASX 200 index fell as much 6.3-percent in morning trade. Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One about markets falling, Trump said that sometimes you have to take medicine to fix something:

# Rugby: Reigning champions the Sharks crashed out of the Challenge Cup after suffering a 34-21 round of 16 defeat to Lyon at the Matmut Stadium in France. The homeside scored five tries against the three from the visitors, who rested several first-choice players. The Bulls is South Africa’s only representative in the competition left. Lyon will meet the Ospreys in the Challenge Cup quarterfinals, while the Sharks get a week off before tackling Edinburgh in the United Rugby Championship next Friday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-26-cents and the euro at 21-rand-6-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-80-cents and Bitcoin trades at 78-thousand-277-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-29-dollars-84-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-80-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….