News 09:00

BULLETIN 17 March 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Deputy president Mashatile is in Japan to reaffirm bilateral relations
# The DA demands an urgent investigation into a SAPS tender
# And 40 people died in tornadoes and dust storms in the US

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile has undertaken a three-day working visit to Japan, aimed at reaffirming the strong cooperation between the two countries. Japan is one of South Africa’s major economic partners with a sizeable investment in the economy, particularly in the fields of trade and investment, education, science and technology. The presidency says Mashatile will be meeting with the Japanese government and private sector stakeholders, to advance the country’s key economic growth drivers such as manufactured-led growth and increasing exports. The deputy president is accompanied by several ministers.

# The DA says the awarding of a 360-million-rand SAPS health services tender to Medicare24 Tswane in June 2024 raises significant questions, particularly surrounding the involvement of former official Petunia Lenono. She was a member of the bid evaluation committee that recommended the awarding of the tender to Medicare24 but resigned no more than six days after it was granted. The DA’s, Ian Cameron, says SAPS must conduct an urgent and independent audit of this tender:

# Human Settlements minister, Thembi Simelane, says she has undertaken to implement all recommendations in the final report of the National Home Builders Registration Council into the George building collapse in the Western Cape. Thirty-four people died, and many were injured when the building, still under construction, collapsed and buried most of the workers under the rubble in May last year. The ministry’s spokesperson, Tsekiso Machike, says the current preliminary report suggests that several procedures were not followed:

# At least 40 people have died across six states after violent tornadoes ripped through parts of the US over the weekend. A massive storm system moving across the country unleashed winds that triggered deadly dust storms, and hurricane-force winds, which fanned more than 100 wildfires, violent tornadoes, and heavy rain. States of emergency have been declared in Arkansas, Georgia, and Oklahoma. President Donald Trump says he continues to actively monitor the situation and has federal resources under his direction ready to help storm-ravaged communities.

# Soccer: Newcastle United beat holders Liverpool 2-1 to win the Carabao Cup at Wembley Stadium, ending their 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy. Dan Burn and Alexander Isak found the back of the net for the Magpies, while Liverpool’s goal came from Federico Chiesa in the 94th minute. Newcastle’s Eddie Howe, who is the first English manager to win a major trophy since 2008, says they were desperate to win after so many years of hurt:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-19-cents and the euro at 19-rand-80-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-53-cents and Bitcoin trades at 83-thousand-725-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-984-dollars-8-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-73-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….