News 09:00

BULLETIN 1 April 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The FF Plus says the three-rand cut to the fuel levy offers motorists some relief
# Job opportunities rose by 18-thousand in the last quarter of 2025
# And, a US journalist is kidnapped by an Iran-backed militant group in Baghdad

# The Freedom Front Plus has welcomed the concession by minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, to reduce the fuel levy by three-rand per litre for one month. This comes as motorists face a sharp rise in petrol and diesel prices from today, driven by soaring global oil costs due to the Middle East conflict. The FF Plus’ Wynand Boshoff says they have asked Godongwana in the form of a parliamentary question, which fiscal interventions exist to mitigate fuel price hikes:

Meanwhile, the South African National Taxi Council has welcomed the government’s decision to temporarily reduce the general fuel levy by three-rand per litre from today until May 5th. SANTACO’s spokesperson, Rebecca Phala, says while this measure offers some relief, the overall increase in fuel prices continues to place significant pressure on the taxi industry and its daily operations. She says taxi associations are assessing the impact of the fuel hikes:

# South Africa’s job market showed modest growth between October and December, with total employment rising by 18 -thousand to just over 10.55-million. Gains were mainly in trade and business services, while sectors like construction, manufacturing, and transport saw declines. Despite the quarterly increase, total employment fell by 102 -thousand compared to the previous year. Statistics South Africa’s Matlapane Masupye says full-time and part-time jobs also showed small quarterly gains but declined year-on-year:

# A US freelance journalist, Shelly Kittleson, was kidnapped in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on Tuesday. She was reportedly taken near a hotel. It is understood that American officials had contacted her several times to warn of threats against her, including kidnapping. Kittleson is a journalist specialising in the Middle East and Afghanistan. US Assistant Secretary of State Dylan Johnson says an individual with ties to the Iranian-aligned militia group Kataib Hizballah, believed to be involved in the kidnapping, has been taken into custody by Iraqi authorities.

# Soccer: Four-time champions Italy have failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, losing their play-off on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1. The Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Jamaica 1-0 in extra time to secure their first World Cup qualification since 1974. The Czech Republic qualified for the first time in 20-years after overcoming Denmark 3-1 on penalties following a 2-2 draw after extra time. Sweden and the Czech Republic also qualified for the World Cup set to be held in the US, Canada and Mexico.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-89-cents and the euro at 19-rand-53-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-35-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-95-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-672-dollars-51-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 103-dollars-75-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….