News 11:00

BULLETIN 26 March 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Mantashe says cargo destined for South Africa is passing through the Strait of Hormuz safely
# OUTA warns that failure to punish wrongdoing undermines the fight against corruption
# And tennis: Sabalenka and Fils are through to the Miami Open semifinals

# Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, says vessels carrying cargo and supplies destined for South Africa are passing through the Strait of Hormuz without interruption or threats of attacks from Iran. The Strait, through which about 20-percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas usually passes, has been largely disrupted by the US-Israeli war with Iran. Mantashe says Iran’s stated position should allay fears of immediate supply disruption, especially to South Africa:

Meanwhile, the US president Donald Trump claims that Iran wants to make a deal so badly, but they are afraid to say it. This comes after Tehran dismissed a US ceasefire proposal, stating that it had no intention to negotiate. Iran has set out five conditions to end the conflict, including a complete halt to attacks and recognition of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. Trump claims the Iranian leadership is afraid to say they are negotiating because they will be killed by their own people:

# The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse says three Services Sector Education and Training Authority whistleblowers deserve full reinstatement or compensation. This after the agency admitted their dismissals were unfair, seven-years after they exposed 370-million-rand in irregular spending. The organisation calls for disciplinary action against those responsible to prevent further corruption. OUTA’s Rudie Heyneke warns that without accountability, public funds remain at risk and future whistleblowers may be discouraged from coming forward:

# Transnet expects rail volumes of about 168-million-tons for the 2025/26 financial year, up from 160.1-million-tons previously. However this is below its 180-million-ton target. CEO Michelle Phillips says recovery efforts have stabilised performance, with further growth expected through private train operators. Government-backed reforms aim to boost capacity and reduce debt, while challenges remain, including locomotive shortages and maintenance backlogs affecting freight corridors.

# Tennis: World number one Aryna Sabalenka has set up a semifinal clash with Elena Rybakina in the Miami Open. The Belarusian defeated unseeded American Hailey Baptiste, 6-4, 6-4, to reach the last four for the second straight year. Kazakhstani Rybakina battled past American Jessica Pegula, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. In the men’s draw, Frenchman Arthur Fils stunned American Tommy Paul, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, to reach his maiden semifinal. He will face Czech Jiri Lehecka, who overcame unseeded Spaniard Martin Landaluce, 7-6, 7-5.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-1-cent and the euro at 19-rand-66-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-71-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-11-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-447-dollars-90-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 99-dollars-48-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….