News 12:00

BULLETIN 11 April 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Saftu says the working class has inflicted defeat on e-tolls
# Golf: McIlroy is confident of his game as the Masters gets underway today
# And, president Ramaphosa wishes Muslims a happy Eid ul Fitr

# Union federation Saftu says the scrapping of e-tolls is a victory for the working class and Gauteng motorists in general, who fought against the scheme from the start. Motorists will however continue to be liable to pay their historic e-toll debts after the tolls are switched off tomorrow. Saftu’s spokesperson, Trevor Shaku, encourages motorists not to pay, just as they have successfully refused to pay over the years:

# Cosatu has welcomed the reopening of Optimum Coal Mine in Mpumalanga, and the saving of over 500 mine workers’ jobs. The reopening comes after a six-year legal battle over funds used to purchase the former Gupta family-owned coal mine. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says the mine’s return to operation will boost Eskom’s coal supplies and badly needed export earnings for the economy:

# ActionSA claims the US Bilateral Relations Bill could threaten more than 150-thousand South African jobs. The bill seeks to establish a process for a comprehensive review of the bilateral relationship between the US and South Africa. ActionSA’s Pieter Scribante says the bill will determine whether South Africa has undermined US national security or foreign policy interests. He says this could lead to the non-renewal of the Africa Growth and Opportunities Act, which will cost South Africa dearly.

# Golf: Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy says he is confident at where his game is at, as the Masters get underway at Augusta National in Georgia today. The Northern Irishman will get his tenth attempt to complete the career Grand Slam. He has been grouped with world number one Scottie Scheffler and Olympic gold medallist Xander Schauffele for the first two rounds. McIlroy says the lessons he has learned over the years at the Masters will hopefully serve him well.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-76-cents and the euro at 20-rand-17-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-58-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-703-dollars-37-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-335-dollars-32-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-61-cents a barrel.

# And finally, president Cyril Ramaphosa has extended his best wishes to Muslims across the country as they celebrate Eid ul Fitr. He says the holy month of Ramadan encompasses spirituality, personal introspection and good deeds that contribute to the well-being of Muslims and people of other faiths alike. Acknowledging the human suffering, hardship and injustices being experienced in the world, Ramaphosa says the spirit of Ramadan inspires everyone.

Stay tuned for more news………….