News 12:00

BULLETIN 9 April 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cosatu urges SARS to continue efforts to crack down on illicit tobacco trade
# The DA condemns construction mafias holding Gauteng projects hostage
# And, soccer: Uefa will make a decision soon on increasing squad sizes for the Euros

# Cosatu is urging the South African Revenue Service not to buckle to pressure in its efforts to crack down on the illicit tobacco trade. The Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association, representing several smaller tobacco producers, is asking the High Court in Pretoria to interdict Sars from implementing the new warehouse camera rule because it argues it violates the constitutional right to privacy. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says the illicit tobacco trade is a serious problem for the country:

# The DA in Gauteng has criticised the Department of Human Settlements and Infrastructure Development for its failure to curb the activities of construction mafias. Spokesperson Mervyn Cirota alleges these mafias, posing as business forums, are disrupting infrastructure projects, demanding subcontracting shares and threatening violence if their demands are not met. He says this highlights government’s ineffectiveness in tackling these criminal elements. Cirota says the DA will take decisive action to end this lawlessness if elected into office.

# Metrorail in the Western Cape says train services affected by extreme weather are gradually being restored. The Stellenbosch service is back following repair work on damaged overhead wires. Technicians are working to repair other affected lines. Gale-force winds caused debris to block tracks and damaged electrical infrastructure. The Southern corridor, including the Cape Flats line, remains closed due to infrastructure issues. Metrorail spokesperson Zino Mihi urges commuters to seek alternative transport and monitor digital platforms for updates:

# US president Joe Biden says former president Donald Trump has made it once again clear that he is, more than anyone in America, the person responsible for ending Roe versus Wade. In 2022, the Supreme Court overturned the longstanding decision that a woman’s right to terminate a pregnancy was protected by the Constitution. Trump says individual states should decide the legality of abortion. Biden says he will continue to protect women’s rights:

# Soccer: Uefa says a final decision on the proposal to increase squad sizes for the upcoming European Championships will be made in the coming weeks. Squads are currently limited to 23 players. The increase in squad size could help reduce the threat of injuries and the intense physical demands placed upon players. Uefa says some coaches who prefer to cap the squad size at 23, have pointed to issues including group management and the increased financial burdens placed upon national associations.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-52-cents and the euro at 20-rand-10-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-44-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-18-dollars-5-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-356-dollars-58-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-68-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….