News 12:00

BULLETIN 30 March 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Diesel reliance raises the alarm on power shortages as the price increase looms
# Statistics SA reports a cyber security breach affecting its human resources database
# And rugby: The Springbok Women’s Sevens finish fifth in Sao Paulo

# Experts warn South Africa’s heavy reliance on diesel to offset power shortages poses a major economic risk as fuel prices rise. Analysts say the surge could increase electricity costs, food prices and transport expenses, placing added strain on households and businesses. Columnist Richard Anthony Chemaly told Citizen ongoing dependence on imported fuel and infrastructure challenges continue to expose the country to global shocks, raising concerns about long-term energy security and overall economic stability.

Meanwhile, the National Taxi Alliance is urging government intervention as fuel prices are set to surge on Wednesday, threatening the taxi industry and commuters. Speaking to SABC News, spokesperson Theo Malele says fare increases will be unavoidable without support. This will affect the transport sector, including learner transport. Malele calls for the reduction of fuel levies to cushion the blow for commuters:

# Statistics SA says it has experienced a cyber security breach, limited to a single human resources database, used specifically by job seekers for online applications. A cybercrime group known as XP95 has claimed responsibility for the ransomware attack. The group reportedly demanded approximately 1.7 million-rand to prevent the release of the stolen data. Stats SA has explicitly stated it will not pay any ransom and is working with the Information Regulator and wider government cybersecurity response teams to investigate the scope of the compromise.

# Rugby: The Springbok Women’s Sevens finished the final World Sevens 2 tournament in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in fifth place. On Saturday, South Africa suffered a 19-5 defeat to Spain and a 14-5 loss to Kenya before bouncing back to beat hosts Brazil 26-12. Yesterday, a depleted Bok Women’s side, with five injured players out, suffered a 19-5 defeat to Argentina and won their final match against China 14-10. South Africa has already secured a place in the Sevens World Championship Series, which begins in Hong Kong in April.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-15-cents and the euro at 19-rand-71-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-70-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-699-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-527-dollars-88-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 108-dollars-21-cents a barrel.

# And finally: eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba says Durban is fully prepared for the Easter holidays, with about 1.2 million visitors expected to visit the city. This will provide an estimated 2.6-billion-rand injection into the local economy. Xaba says average accommodation occupancy is expected to be 62-percent, while the creation of employment opportunities is estimated at 16-thousand:

Stay tuned for more news………….