News 11:00

BULLETIN 27 February 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# ActionSA wants the records of the ANC’s Enzulweni settlement
# Nhlanhla Nene says the parties in government must resolve their differences over the budget
# And the European Union is ready to retaliate against Trump’s tariffs

# ActionSA has applied to the North Gauteng High Court to compel the Electoral Commission to disclose its record of the decision not to investigate the ANC’s 102-million-rand debt settlement agreement with Ezulweni Investments. In December 2023, the ANC reached an out-of-court settlement with Ezulweni for election material procurement. ActionSA’s Michael Beaumont says the IEC will not investigate the matter unless the party provides evidence, something the Party Funding Act requires of the electoral commission with its investigative powers:

# Former Finance minister, Nhlanhla Nene, says it’s important for all parties in the government of national unity to find one another on tabling a sound budget. Last week, the parties rejected a proposed two-percent hike in VAT, leading to Finance minister Enoch Godongwana postponing the tabling of the budget. Nene told News24 government can either increase borrowing, an option that has been exhausted, or cut expenditure. He adds that unity within government is necessary, particularly in the management of finances, to ensure stability.

# The ANC Youth League in Gauteng has welcomed the reconfiguration of the party’s provincial executive committee, saying this is an important step in advancing the renewal agenda. The ANC’s intervention in two provinces follows its dismal performance in the last elections, securing only 35-percent of the vote in Gauteng and just 17-percent in KwaZulu-Natal. The league’s spokesperson, Kgotso Pooe, says the reconfiguration demonstrates the party’s commitment to self-correction and accountability:

# The European Union has vowed to respond firmly and immediately to unjustified barriers to free and fair trade. This comes as US president Donald Trump has threatened to hit goods made in the EU with tariffs of 25-percent, accusing the 27-country bloc of taking advantage of America. The bloc is the US’s third largest trading partner. The EU says it will fight against tariffs being used to challenge legal and non-discriminatory policies, adding that it will always protect European businesses, workers, and consumers.

# Soccer: Liverpool defeated Newcastle two-nil to move 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League table. Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister secured the win for the Reds, taking another big step towards the title. Arsenal’s title hopes are all but over after a goalless draw with third-placed Nottingham Forest. Manchester City defeated Tottenham one-nil to move back into the top four. Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, says they are not thinking about the title:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-44-cents and the euro at 19-rand-30-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-34-cents and Bitcoin trades at 86-thousand-199-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-893-dollars-18-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-16-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….