News 12:00

BULLETIN 3 April 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The N2 near Knysna is closed following a truck explosion
# Cosatu says revenue can be raised without squeezing struggling working families
# And rugby: The Springbok Women will play two Tests against Canada in July

# A driver and a passenger have died after the truck in which they were transporting hazardous chemicals, caught fire and exploded on the N2 near Knysna’s Belvidere turn-off in the Western Cape this morning. A provincial emergency response official is being treated in hospital for fume inhalation. Emergency services extinguished the fire, and authorities have isolated the area. Motorists are urged to seek alternative routes as the N2 is closed between the Rheenendal and Red Bridge turn-offs.

# Cosatu is urging Treasury to honour Parliament’s Finance committee’s call to provide alternatives to the VAT and personal income tax proposals within 30 days. This comes as the National Assembly has passed the budget fiscal framework with recommendations. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says they have tabled progressive alternative revenue and expenditure proposals to government and Parliament, that could raise revenue without squeezing struggling working- and middle-class families:

# The bail application of alleged diamond scammer Louis Liebenberg has been postponed to 2 July by the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court. His defence requested more time to consult with their client. Liebenberg and eight co-accused face charges of fraud, racketeering, money laundering, and violating the Companies Act. Liebenberg allegedly ran a diamond scheme worth 4.5-billion-rand. He remains in custody and has requested a transfer from the C-Max-section of the Kgosi Mampuru prison in Pretoria for private consultations.

# Rugby: The Springbok Women will face Canada in curtain-raisers to the men’s Tests against Italy in Pretoria and Gqeberha in July. Canada is ranked second in the world and South Africa 12th. Bok Women performance coach, Swys de Bruin, says the confirmation of the Tests is great, as they need to play the best teams in the world to be in the best shape possible for the World Cup. SA Rugby CEO, Rian Oberholzer, says the Tests will showcase the growth and status of the Springbok Women.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-87-cents and the euro at 20-rand-73-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-80-cents and Bitcoin trades at 83-thousand-692-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-130-dollars-85-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-37-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The South African Weather Service has issued an advisory for increased temperatures in various parts of the Western Cape, including the Cape metropole, between today and Sunday. Some areas can expect temperatures of up to 34 degrees Celsius. The Disaster Risk Management Centre’s spokesperson, Sonica Lategan, says the public is urged to take the necessary precautions to limit their risk of heat exposure, particularly for those participating in the Two Oceans marathon and half-marathon this weekend:

Stay tuned for more news………….