News 09:00

BULLETIN 2 April 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A South African delegation meets US officials to clarify misconceptions
# SARS announces a record revenue collection
# And Russia says it cannot accept the US-proposed ceasefire

# A South African delegation, led by Department of International Relations and Cooperation director-general, Zane Dangor, recently held meetings with senior White House officials. The meetings were to clarify the country’s positions on controversial issues such as the Expropriation Act. The department’s spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, says during the cordial discussions, the senior officials addressed misconceptions about what has been presented by some as race laws designed to undermine minority rights in South Africa:

# The South African Revenue Service has reported record revenue collection of two-trillion-rand for the 2024/2025 financial year, reflecting a 6.9-percent year-on-year increase. Despite economic challenges, SARS also disbursed 447-billion-rand in tax refunds, the highest in its history. Commissioner Edward Kieswetter says the achievement demonstrates the revenue service’s commitment to efficient revenue collection and compliance enforcement:

# The Freedom Front Plus in Ekurhuleni says the metro’s financial position has deteriorated to such an extent that it is unable to pay Eskom a deposit of 177-million-rand for upgrading four mini-substations in Chloorkop. The metro currently owes the power utility around two-billion-rand. The FF Plus says it appears that Ekurhuleni may have to increasingly rely on external entities to fulfil its financial obligations. The party says mayor, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, must reveal what are the long-term plans to restore Ekurhuleni’s financial relationship with Eskom.

# Russia says it cannot accept the US proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine without addressing what it considers the root causes of the war. As preconditions for a ceasefire, president Vladimir Putin’s demands include that Ukraine recognise Russia’s annexation of Crimea and four partly occupied regions in the south-east and agree to demilitarisation. Russian Deputy Foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, says they see no signals from either US president Donald Trump or Ukraine that could bring an end to the war beyond the 30-day ceasefire proposal.

# Soccer: Orlando Pirates defeated MC Alger 1-0 in the first leg of their CAF Champions League quarterfinal clash in Algeria. A goal from rising star Mohau Nkota in the second half was enough to secure an important away win for the Buccaneers. In Pretoria, Mamelodi Sundowns edged past Esperance de Tunis 1-0. Defending champions Al Ahly secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Al Hilal at the Cairo International Stadium thanks to Mohamed Hany’s early strike. The second-leg matches will be played next Tuesday and Wednesday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-50-cents and the euro at 19-rand-97-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-90-cents and Bitcoin trades at 84-thousand-536-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-124-dollars-11-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-30-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….