News 08:00

BULLETIN 26 April 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The MK Party has submitted a motion of no confidence in minister Godongwana
# Solidarity is demanding a deadline for the end of racial laws
# And soccer, Sundowns are through to the CAF Champions League final as Pirates miss out

# The MK Party has formally submitted a motion of no confidence in minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, to the National Assembly speaker Thoko Didiza. This is over what the party says is the minister’s reckless mishandling of the value-added tax matter. On Wednesday night, Godongwana scrapped the contentious 0.5-percent VAT hike. The MK Party says the minister’s failure to provide clarity and leadership on the VAT issue has sown confusion in the markets, panic among the poor and small businesses, and further entrenched uncertainty in an already fragile economy.

# Trade union Solidarity says it’s time for the government to set a deadline for phasing out racial laws like Black Economic Empowerment. The union is now calling for urgent talks to replace race-based policies with strategies that boost jobs and economic growth. Solidarity’s Connie Mulder says most citizens across all racial groups no longer support these policies, which only benefit a politically connected elite and do little to address unemployment, poverty, and inequality:

# Parliaments’ portfolio committee on Health says they are waiting for reports on whether arson was the cause of two fires in the Tembisa Hospital in Gauteng. Chairperson Sibongiseni Dhlomo raised concerns over the hospital’s compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Speaking at the hospital, he said officials were looking into the safety measures at the institution:

# The United Nations World Food Programme says it has depleted all its food stocks for families in Gaza. This as Israel has blocked deliveries of humanitarian aid for seven weeks. WFP says it delivered its last remaining food stocks to hot meals kitchens in the Gaza Strip, adding that these kitchens are expected to fully run out of food in the coming days. The organisation says more than 116-thousand metric tons of food assistance is positioned at aid corridors and is ready to be brought into Gaza as soon as borders reopen.

# Soccer: Mamelodi Sundowns have booked a place in the Confederation of African Football Champions League final, following a 1-1 draw against Al Ahly in Cairo. The Egyptians grabbed the lead in the 23rd minute through Taher Mohamed. An own goal by Yasser Ibrahim saw Masandawana equalise in the 90th minute. Sundowns secured a spot in the final on the away-goal rule for the first time since 2016. Meanwhile, Fiston Mayele struck twice as Pyramids beat Orlando Pirates 3-2 on the night and on aggregate to make the final.

Stay tuned for more news………….