News 09:00

BULLETIN 10 April 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The IFP wants to meet with the DA on the budget impasse
# Cosatu welcomes the Constitutional Court ruling on the Municipal Systems Amendment Act
# And Gabon prepares for its first election since the 2023 coup

# The IFP is seeking a bilateral meeting with the DA to understand its stance on the budget impasse. The ANC and DA, which are the biggest parties in the government of national unity, have been divided by several issues but most recently the value-added tax increase. The DA has filed court papers challenging the adoption of the budget fiscal framework by Parliament last week. The IFP says the meeting is to address issues including the DA wanting to act as both the government and opposition party. 

# Cosatu has welcomed the Constitutional Court upholding the Labour Court’s ruling in favour of the union federation and SAMWU’s challenge on the constitutional validity of the Municipal Systems Amendment Act. Both courts have declared the prohibition of all municipal employees from holding office in a political party to be unconstitutional. Cosatu’s spokesperson, Matthew Parks, says the Amendment Act is an assault on the right of freedom of political association:

# The GOOD Party in the Western Cape has welcomed the release of the report on the George building collapse, which revealed systemic negligence across the entire construction process. Thirty-four workers were killed when the partially built residential structure collapsed in May last year. GOOD’s, Chantelle Kyd, says they support the decision to suspend implicated officials, but they are also extremely concerned about the role played by the George Municipality in this tragedy:

# Gabon heads to the polls this weekend for its first presidential election since the 2023 military coup that ended the Bongo family’s 56-year rule. Coup leader Brice Oligui Nguema, now transitional president, is running for office, with former prime minister Alain Claude Bilie By Nze as his main rival. Nguema is seen as the frontrunner, backed by his coup role and political control. Supporters see the vote as a chance for change and a symbol of hope for Gabon’s future.

# Tennis: Two-time champion Novak Djokovic has been knocked out in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters. Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo handed the Serb an unexpected, 6-3, 6-4 defeat on the clay court. Norwegian fourth seed Casper Ruud defeated Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut, 6-2, 6-1, to reach the third round, while Russian seventh seed Andrey Rublev overcame Frenchman Gael Monfils, 6-4, 7-6. Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov recovered from a set down to beat wild card Valentin Vacherot of France, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-30-cents and the euro at 21-rand-20-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-80-cents and Bitcoin trades at 81-thousand-706-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-125-dollars-49-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-23-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….