News 13:00

BULLETIN 4 April 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Defend South Africa movement wants Cyril Ramaphosa to resign
# Action Society warns the proposed changes to private security regulations could harm public safety
# And Rugby: Willie le Roux extends his Bulls’ contract until June 2027

# The Defend South Africa movement is calling for the immediate resignation of president Cyril Ramaphosa. The movement is marching to the Union Buildings in Pretoria today, where it says it plans to occupy the Office of the president peacefully until its demands are addressed. The movement’s national coordinator, Tumelo Mooki, says the ascendence of Ramaphosa to the presidency has been characterised by corruption, and to make matters worse, the economy is in a crisis:

# Action Society says proposed amendments to the Private Security Industry Regulation Act could weaken crime prevention and endanger communities. They oppose vague firearm limits, the suspension of security firms under investigation without proven wrongdoing, and a ban on semi-automatic rifles for security personnel. The organisation’s Juanita du Preez urges the public to reject these regulations, warning they could leave vulnerable communities without adequate protection, especially in gang-ridden areas:

# Equities extended losses in Asia and Europe today, extending a global rout inflicted by Donald Trump’s tariff blitz that has inflamed a trade war and ramped up recession and inflation fears. The US president’s harsher-than-expected “Liberation Day” levies sent shockwaves through markets yesterday, with Wall Street suffering its worst day since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. Trump says he wants to make the United States free from reliance on foreign manufacturers, in a massive economic reshaping that he likened to a medical procedure.

# Rugby: Springbok fullback Willie le Roux has extended his contract with the Bulls till June 2027. Since arriving at Loftus in Pretoria at the end of the 2023 World Cup he has made 29 appearances across the United Rugby Championship and the Champions Cup. The versatile double World Cup-winning backliner arrived on an initial three-year contract, which would run until the end of June 2026. Le Roux says the next 12 weeks are very important for them because when you’re in knockout stages, there are no second chances.

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-3-cents and the euro at 20-rand-90-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-69-cents and Bitcoin trades at 84-thousand-492-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-92-dollars-61-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-64-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The We’re Against Starvation or WAS Foundation’s Love on Display Shopping Project is restoring dignity and hope to those facing homelessness in Krugersdorp-West, Gauteng. Through donated clothing and shoes, beneficiaries shop for free, boosting self-esteem and confidence. WAS Foundation founder, Esmarelda Van Zyl-Kilian, says the initiative is made possible by kind-hearted supporters. She says that donations not only meet essential needs but also uplift lives and foster compassion in the community.

Stay tuned for more news………….