News 09:00

BULLETIN 26 March 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa emphasises the relationship with the US is built on mutual respect and cooperation
# Business Leadership SA says there is no confidence in the justice system
# And the kidnapped cousins from the North West were found alive

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the robust relationship between the US and South Africa has mutual respect as its cornerstone. Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa’s non-aligned stance, advocating for an inclusive world order and promoting conflict resolution through dialogue. He praised the strong economic, political, and social ties with the US, particularly in combating HIV/AIDS. Additionally, Ramaphosa highlighted expanding trade relations under the African Growth and Opportunity Act and welcomed US participation in the just energy transition partnership.

# Business Leadership South Africa says there is a trust problem in the country, centered on questions about the effectiveness of the criminal justice system, that is hampering investment. A notable case this past week is National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula taking special leave amid a corruption investigation. BLSA CEO Busisiwe Mavuso says a well-functioning criminal justice system must be there as a backstop. However, she says confidence has been low in the justice system because it has battled to bring to book the many people implicated in corruption.

# North West police have found the two cousins, aged 17 and 19, who were kidnapped on their way to school in Hartbeeespoort earlier this month. Police spokesperson, Sabata Mokgwabone, says Zahraa and Bataviya Mohammed were found alive in a house at New Stands near Winterveldt and Mabopane yesterday evening. He says six suspects were arrested for alleged kidnapping and extortion and will appear in court soon:

# The City of Johannesburg is urging residents to participate in meetings to draft the Integrated Development Plan for 2024/2025. The metro says the meetings are aimed at engaging residents on various service delivery issues that include by-laws, proposed rates tariffs for trading services, and the medium-term budget. Council speaker’s spokesperson, Vusi Gumbi, says the IDP informs the executive of the metro what the needs are of the residents for budgeting purposes, and allocation of funds to the entities for services:

# Cricket: Virat Kohli’s performance with the bat led the Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a four-wicket win over the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League. Punjab were restricted to 176 for six with Mohammed Siraj and Glenn Maxwell taking two wickets each. Kohli’s 77 off 49 balls, and Dinesh Karthik and Mahipal Lomror’s unbeaten 48-run partnership off just 18 balls, smashed RCB to their first win of the competition. Kohli says he is happy to be back playing again:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-87-cents and the euro at 20-rand-46-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-86-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-554-dollars-98-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-171-dollars-69-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 86-dollars-3-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….