News 09:00

BULLETIN 21 April 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA pushes ahead with its court action against the VAT hike
# The return of a Boeing from China to the US is ascribed to the trade war between the two countries
# And cricket: A 14-year old hits a six off his very first ball in the Indian Premier League

# The DA is pushing ahead with its legal challenge against the planned 0.5-percentage point VAT increase set for 1 May. The case will be heard in the Western Cape High Court tomorrow. DA spokesperson Karabo Khakhau says they want an urgent interdict to halt the hike, arguing that the approval process in Parliament was flawed. She says despite planned discussions with the ANC this week, the increase is unjust:

Meanwhile, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba has warned South Africa’s political parties that their infighting poses a huge problem to the country’s democracy. The head of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa said in his Easter sermon that parties should stop playing games of grandstanding; otherwise, South Africa’s democratic governance was heading for a crisis. Makgoba says the legitimacy of every party represented in Parliament should be respected. He also referred to crises such as gender-based violence and political dysfunction.

# Universities South Africa is calling for strict gun-free policies across campuses after a student was fatally shot during a protest at Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape. Chairperson Francis Petersen told Newzroom Afrika that safety is essential for learning. He emphasises the need for clear regulations, strong security, consequence management and accountability measures. Petersen calls for violence prevention to ensure students and staff feel safe in educational environments:

# The return of a Boeing plane from China to the US is ascribed to the trade war between the two economic giants. The 737 MAX was meant for delivery to China’s Xiamen Airlines but was sent back to Seattle where it landed after an eight-thousand-kilometre journey yesterday. US president Donald Trump’s announcement of a 145-percent tariff on Chinese imports was followed by Beijing’s 125-percent tariff on US goods. This reportedly means a Chinese airport taking delivery of a Boeing worth 1.035-billion-rand could be crippled by the tariffs.

# And finally, cricket: Shy schoolboy Vaibhav Suryavanshi is in dreamland at just 14, having become the youngest player in Indian Premier League history and marking the occasion with an audacious first-ball six. The fearless young left-hander is being touted as a superstar in the making after his instant impact opening the batting for Rajasthan Royals, when he scored 34 off 20 balls, including three sixes and two fours. Suryavanshi comes from India’s poorest state, Bihar, and his father is a farmer and part-time journalist.

Stay tuned for more news………….