News 12:00

BULLETIN 30 April 12 pm

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Julius Malema issues a formal legal demand of one-million-rand against Ngizwe Mchunu
# Western Cape has contingency plans in place for any potential disruptions to fuel supply
# And soccer: Afghanistan’s women are allowed to return to international action

# EFF leader Julius Malema’s lawyers have issued a formal legal demand against radio personality Ngizwe Mchunu over statements during an interview on Tuesday. They say Mchunu falsely suggested Malema received 60-million-rand from Nigerian drug dealers, is involved in protecting illegal immigrants for political benefit, and is engaged in corrupt and criminal conduct. The lawyers say the remarks are untrue, malicious, and damaging to his reputation. They demand a retraction, a public apology, a media statement, and one-million-rand in damages within 24-hours, failing which legal action may be instituted.

# The Western Cape Premier’s Coordinating Forum has welcomed the strong state of readiness to respond to any potential disruptions to fuel supply linked to the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict. The national government has extended the temporary fuel levy relief until June as a supportive measure for consumers. Premier Alan Winde says while there have been no disruptions affecting the province, contingency planning remains firmly in place:

# The Free Market Foundation is warning that domestic policy choices are undermining investor confidence. It highlights the Employment Equity Act and the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act as policies that are creating regulatory uncertainty and limiting business flexibility. The foundation says when businesses are subject to shifting policies, rigid compliance requirements, and expanding obligations, confidence declines. It adds South Africa cannot expect to attract meaningful investment while undermining the very conditions that make investment possible.

# African Union Commission chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, says the United States’ exclusion of South Africa from the G20 is deplorable. The US took over the G20’s presidency from South Africa this year. Youssouf says South Africa’s exclusion from the Miami G20 leaders’ summit in December undermines Africa’s voice in global economic discussions and shifts the focus away from the continent:

# Soccer: Afghanistan’s women’s team is allowed to return to international action after last playing officially five years ago. The Taliban’s return to power in 2021 led to restrictions on women’s rights, including a ban on sport. This forced many women to leave the country. World governing body FIFA officially recognised Afghanistan under an amendment allowing the registration of a representative team under exceptional circumstances if it isn’t recognised by its member association.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-78-cents and the euro at 19-rand-61-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-64-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-57-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-617-dollars-39-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 110-dollars-57-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….