News 08:00

BULLETIN 1 April 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Paul Mashatile says South Africa’s growth and recovery depend on robust partnerships
# Solidarity warns the fuel hike will drive up inflation across all goods
# And, the parliamentary ad hoc committee is granted a fourth extension

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says the sixth South Africa Investment Conference has once again affirmed that the country’s growth and recovery depend on robust partnerships between government, business, labour, and society. The conference held in Sandton, Johannesburg, yesterday, unveiled a group of 16 landmark investments each valued at ten-billion-rand or more, spanning multiple sectors including energy, tourism, and manufacturing. Mashatile says South Africa is experiencing a resurgence characterised by the integration of reforms, enhancement of institutions, and the restoration of stability in critical economic sectors.

# Trade union Solidarity says South Africans are facing the sharpest fuel price hike in history, with diesel jumping seven-rand-37-cents per litre. According to the union, while a temporary three-rand reduction in the fuel levy offers some relief, households and businesses remain under serious financial pressure. Solidarity’s Theuns du Buisson says freight costs between major cities have also risen, and taxi and bus fares are expected to go up:

# Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating allegations of corruption and political interference in the justice system has been granted a fourth extension to complete its work. National Assembly speaker, Thoko Didiza, has extended the committee’s mandate until April 30th, despite a request for a June deadline. Parliamentary content adviser Nicolette van Zyl-Gous had outlined a proposed work plan that would see committee members deliberate and finalise the report between 13 April and 11 May. However, Didiza was reluctant to approve such a lengthy delay.

# President Donald Trump says the US could be done with its war with Iran within two to three weeks. Earlier this week, he threatened to obliterate Iranian energy sites if a peace deal was not agreed, but insisted negotiations were making progress. This is something Iran has contradicted. Speaking at the White House, Trump reiterated his claim that regime change in Iran has been achieved. He added that the war may end sooner if a deal is reached:

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos says there are several specific areas they need to work on ahead of the World Cup, including finishing off chances. South Africa were left to rue missed opportunities after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Panama in an international friendly in Cape Town yesterday evening. The two nations played to a 1-1 draw in Durban last Friday. Broos says in the two games they had ten chances and only scored twice, which is not good enough:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-87-cents and the euro at 19-rand-51-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-33-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-915-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-687-dollars-1-cent a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 104-dollars-1-cent a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….