News 08:00

BULLETIN 25 March 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Parliament adopts the 2026 Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals
# Twelve senior police officers have been arrested in connection with Cat Matlala’s contract
# And, Donald Trump says Vance and Rubio are involved in negotiations with Iran

# The National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces have adopted the 2026 Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals, marking a significant step in the national budget process. The Fiscal Framework outlines the government’s macroeconomic policy for the financial year, including revenue projections, expenditure priorities and borrowing requirements. Parliament’s Standing Committee on Finance chairperson, doctor Mkhacani Maswanganyi, stressed the importance of fiscal discipline and accountability:

Meanwhile, the EFF, however, has rejected the adoption of the framework and proposals, describing it as a wasted opportunity that prioritises international interests over South African lives. A total of 227 National Assembly members voted in favour of the framework and revenue proposals, 71 voted against, and no members abstained. In the National Council of Provinces, all provinces voted in favour of the adoption. The EFF’s Omphile Maotwe says the fiscal framework is misguided:

# The National Prosecuting Authority’s Independent Directorate Against Corruption has arrested 12 high-ranking police officers and a director of a company. They have been implicated in the awarding of a 360-million-rand police health contract to alleged crime kingpin Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala’s company, Medicare 24 Tshwane District. Matlala allegedly bribed top police officers, including generals, to facilitate the award of the contract. All accused are expected to make their first appearance before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court today on charges of corruption, fraud, and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.

# US president Donald Trump says that vice president JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are leading negotiations with Iran. His comments come a day after Iranian officials denied any contact with the US had taken place, calling claims of talks “fake news”. US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are also taking part in negotiations. Who they are negotiating with, however, remains unclear. Trump has expressed optimism that a deal is in sight, adding that his administration is talking to the right people in Tehran:

# Tennis: World number two Jannik Sinner is through to the Miami Open quarterfinals after defeating unseeded American Alex Michelsen 7-5, 7-6. The Italian will face another American, Frances Tiafoe, who battled past Frenchman Terence Atmane, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. Spanish qualifier Martin Landaluce upset American 32nd seed Sebastian Korda to secure a 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 victory. In the women’s draw, the Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova powered into the semifinals with a 7-5, 7-6 win against Canada’s Victoria Mboko.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-63-cents and the euro at 19-rand-66-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-69-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-480-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-578-dollars-28-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 95-dollars-81-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….