News 13:00

BULLETIN 26 March 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The acting speaker accepts the DA’s no-confidence motion against Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula 
# Forty-two candidates are listed on multiple party lists 
# And tennis: Andy Murray will be out for an extended period due to an ankle injury 

# National Assembly acting speaker Lechesa Tsenoli has approved the DA’s motion of no confidence against speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. The motion, submitted by DA chief whip Siviwe Gwarube, alleges improper conduct. This follows allegations that she took millions of rand in bribes while she was minister of Defence and Military Veterans. Parliament’s spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo, says the scheduling of the motion will be announced following consultations with Gwarube:

# The Independent Electoral Commission has identified 42 candidates who are listed on more than one party’s list, implicating 39 different parties in this issue. The revelation comes after yesterday’s deadline, by which political parties were required to inform the commission of any candidates nominated on multiple lists or as independents. Members of the public can now inspect the lists of both parties and independent candidates. These lists will be available for review at the IEC’s national, provincial, and municipal offices today and tomorrow.

# The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa has appointed Gerrit van der Merwe as chairperson for a two-year term, succeeding Hannes de Waal. Van der Merwe, who previously was the managing director of ALG Estates, has pledged a community-centric approach to improve the economic outlook in the industry. He seeks to prioritise tackling logistics and market access challenges in the industry. Van der Merwe’s appointment coincides with plans to export 100-million citrus cartons, creating 100-thousand jobs.

# Tennis: Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray says he will be sidelined for an extended period due to injury. He ruptured his ankle ligaments during his Miami Open loss to Tomas Machac on Sunday. The 36-year-old says he will see an ankle specialist to determine the next steps. Murray’s latest injury setback comes a little under two months out from the French Open, and about three months out from Wimbledon in July, where he is a two-time champion.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-93-cents and the euro at 20-rand-55-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-97-cents and Bitcoin trades at 71-thousand-102-dollars-40-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-184-dollars-66-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-17-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Stellenbosch University Chemistry lecturer, Marietjie Lutz, will cycling from George to Stellenbosch over the Easter Weekend, covering 600 kilometres. This is to raise funds for undergraduate bachelor of Science students facing financial challenges. Lutz says the inspiration for the Wheels of Opportunity initiative came after trying to find ways of helping a bright first-year student attending her classes in 2022:

Stay tuned for more news………….