News 09:00

BULLETIN 6 March 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# BOSA files a PAIA application to access the sex offenders’ register
# The Public Service and Administration committee adopts the Public Service Commission Bill
# And Trump issues a last warning to Hamas to release all hostages in Gaza

# BOSA says government’s secrecy over the national register for sex offenders raises doubts about its existence, accuracy, or possible political interference. The party has filed a Promotion of Access to Information Act application to access the register, arguing that making it public will help fight sexual violence. The party’s deputy leader, Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster, accuses Justice minister Mmamoloko Kubayi of backtracking on her promise to release the list as the delay undermines efforts to protect communities:

# Parliament’s portfolio committee on Public Service and Administration has unanimously adopted the Public Service Commission Bill. The bill aims to strengthen the Public Service Commission and make it more impartial and independent. It also extends the commission’s powers to local government and public entities and strengthens the government’s efforts to professionalise the public service. Committee chairperson Jan de Villiers says the adoption of the bill is an important step in the fight against cadre deployment, professionalising the state, and creating a merit-based public service.

# The Freedom Front Plus in Gauteng says the financial position of the Emfuleni Municipality has deteriorated even further with the adoption of the adjustment budget. The 2024/2025 budget has been adjusted downwards by 400-million-rand. The FF Plus’, Gerda Senekal, says that seeing as the municipality does not adhere to its funding plan, it will not have enough money available to pay its creditors. She adds that Emfuleni needs 720-million-rand to cover its monthly expenses:

# US president Donald Trump has issued a fresh ultimatum to Hamas, saying the militant group must release all hostages in Gaza immediately. This comes hours after the White House confirmed it is holding direct talks with Hamas over the hostages. Fifty-nine hostages are still in Gaza, though Israeli intelligence believes that only 22 are still alive. On a post on Truth Social, Trump says he is sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job, warning that not a single Hamas member will be safe if the hostages are not released.

# Soccer: Liverpool defeated Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie in Paris. Harvey Elliott scored in the 87th minute to give the Reds a slender lead heading into the second leg at Anfield next Tuesday. Bayern Munich have one foot in the quarterfinals after beating Bayer Leverkusen 3-0, with Harry Kane scoring twice. There were also wins for Barcelona and Inter Milan. Liverpool manager Arne Slot says his team were lucky to beat PSG:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-29-cents and the euro at 19-rand-72-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-56-cents and Bitcoin trades at 91-thousand-676-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-918-dollars-25-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-49-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….