News 13:00

BULLETIN 7 April 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Eskom redeems its 38-billion-rand ES26 bond
# The UN Security Council will vote on a resolution on the Strait of Hormuz
# And rugby: The former Wallaby flyhalf Bernard Foley retires at the age of 36

# Eskom says it has successfully redeemed its ES26 bond, marking a significant step in its financial recovery strategy. The bond was first issued in 2007 with an initial trench of 500-million-rand at a coupon of 7.85-percent. Since then, it grew to about 38-billion-rand. The bond programme included 30 public auctions that raised about nine-billion-rand. Spokesperson Daphne Mokoena says the redemption of the bond is testament to Eskom’s turnaround trajectory:

# Eastern Cape police have managed to rearrest one of eight detainees who escaped from Afsondering police station in Maluti at the weekend. Siphelele Mkhulisi, originally in custody for a murder case, was found still asleep and rearrested without incident yesterday. Police spokesperson Nobuntu Gantana says the remaining seven escapees, who are facing charges related to murder, rape, assault, and crimen injuria, are still on the run:

# The City of Cape Town says that with dam levels currently below 50-percent, it’s more important than ever to use drinking water wisely. Mayoral committee member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, says one practical way residents and businesses can help is by using treated effluent for non-drinking purposes like irrigation and industrial activities. He says not only does this reduce pressure on potable water supply, but it can also lower costs for users:

Moving abroad:

# The United Nations’ Security Council is expected to vote today on a watered-down resolution calling for the reopening of the strategically-important Strait of Hormuz off Iran. This follows objections on multiple drafts from several veto-holding permanent members, including France, Russia and China. The latest draft encourages countries interested in the use of commercial maritime routes in the strait to coordinate defensive efforts to ensure the safety and security of navigation across this critical waterway.

# Rugby: Former Wallaby flyhalf Bernard Foley has announced his retirement at the end of the current Japanese season. The 36-year-old played 76 Tests for Australia, including in the 2015 World Cup in England where they lost to New Zealand in the final, and again four years later in Japan. Foley also played for Australia’s sevens team and was part of the Waratahs’ title victory in Super Rugby in 2014. He will end his career at Kubota in Japan, for whom he has played 82 matches since 2019.  

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-79-cents and the euro at 19-rand-43-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-29-cents and Bitcoin trades at 69-thousand-82-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-692-dollars-8-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 105-dollars-19-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….