News 09:00

BULLETIN 19 February 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Saftu says neoliberalism and budget cuts will not create jobs
# The DA demands accountability for the financial crisis in Maluti-a-Phofung
# And the Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro is charged

# The South African Federation of Trade Unions says the government of national unity continues to champion neoliberal economic policies that actively undermine job creation. This is as the expanded unemployment rate in the fourth quarter of 2024 remained unchanged at 41.9-percent. Saftu’s spokesperson, Newton Masuku, says ahead of Finance minister, Enoch Godongwana’s budget speech today, they are demanding an immediate reversal of austerity measures, and the adoption of a bold, worker-centred economic programme:

Meanwhile, the Public Servants Association says it expects Godongwana to present a budget that prioritises economic growth, job security, and the strengthening of public services. The association represents more than 240-thousand public-sector employees. PSA’s, Claude Naiker, says government must move towards expansionary fiscal policies that promote growth and development. He adds that increased investment in public infrastructure, healthcare, and education, is crucial for improving service delivery and creating jobs:

# The DA in the Free State is calling for urgent accountability, as the Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality ends the 2023/2024 financial year with a one-billion-rand deficit. Over the past year, revenue stood at 1.73-billion-rand while expenses reached 2.82-billion-rand. The DA’s, Alison Oates, says this financial mismanagement directly affects residents, who continue to face water shortages, electricity instability, and deteriorating municipal services:

# Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has been formally charged with leading a coup plot intended to keep him in power, after losing the 2022 election to president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Thirty-three other people were involved in the plot, including Bolsonaro’s vice-presidential candidate, Walter Braga Netto, and retired or serving senior military personnel. Bolsonaro denies wrongdoing and says he is the victim of political persecution. Experts say he could face between 38 and 43-years in jail if convicted.

# Soccer: Bayern Munich scored a stoppage-time equaliser against Celtic to progress to the last 16 of the Champions League. Trailing two-one after the first leg of the play-off round last week, a Nicolas Kuhn goal gave Celtic a lead in the second half on Tuesday evening. However, Alphonso Davies’ extra-time goal secured a three-two aggregate victory for Vincent Kompany’s side. Bayern will face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen. Benfica, Club Brugge, and Feyenoord are also through to the last 16.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-40-cents and the euro at 19-rand-23-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-20-cents and Bitcoin trades at 95-thousand-543-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-926-dollars-85-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-56-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….