News 09:00

BULLETIN 23 April 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA calls for functional governance following the passing of the Division of Revenue Bill
# Cosatu is disappointed by the cut to the presidential employment programme
# And, Zambia’s government takes possession of former president Edgar Lungu’s body

# The DA has welcomed the National Assembly’s approval of the Division of Revenue Bill, which sets out how government funds are shared across national, provincial and local government. The bill aims to ensure that public money is used to provide basic services, support economic growth and job creation, and keep government debt under control. The DA’s Kingsley Hope Wakelin says while the bill decides where the money goes, it does not guarantee that anything actually gets delivered:

# Union federation Cosatu says the lack of a strong stimulus package and the cut to the presidential employment programme are weakening efforts to fight unemployment. The federation states that while there is funding for some public services and infrastructure, it’s not enough to boost jobs or support recovery. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks argues the government has prioritised balancing the books over job creation:

# The Freedom Front Plus says it is assisting Rooiwal farmers with instituting legal action against the Tshwane Metro Council for the ongoing collapse of the Rooiwal Waste Water Treatment Works. Mayor Nasiphi Moya has insisted that there is no water crisis in the metro. The FF Plus’s Rina Marx says while the mayor denies any crises, farmers are forced to use crops, grown at enormous input costs, as green fodder because they are unfit for human consumption:

# The Zambian government says it has taken possession of the body of former president Edgar Lungu. He passed away in South Africa on the 5th of June 2025; however, a court battle and subsequent appeal process over his remains have halted his burial. In August last year, the High Court in Pretoria ruled that the Zambian government can repatriate Lungu’s body and give him a state funeral, despite his family’s opposition. Lungu family’s appeal bid in the Supreme Court of Appeal lapsed after it failed to meet the deadlines.

# Soccer: Manchester City have knocked title rivals Arsenal off the top of the Premier League table following a 1-0 victory against Burnley. Erling Haaland’s goal in the fifth minute proved to be the winner, moving City ahead of the Gunners on goal difference. Pep Guardiola’s men are aiming for a seventh Premier League title in nine years, as they are now unbeaten in their last eleven top-flight games. Meanwhile, Burnley, who have won just one of their last 25 league games, have been relegated to the Championship.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-52-cents and the euro at 19-rand-33-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-28-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 77-thousand-931-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-706-dollars-59-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 97-dollars-83-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….