News 14:00

BULLETIN 7 April 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Deputy president Mashatile confirms a high-level meeting to resolve the budget dispute
# The Western Cape Infrastructure MEC tables a 9.83-billion-rand budget
# And motorsport: Charles Leclerc says Ferrari needs to work on the performance of their car

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile has confirmed that ANC leaders are meeting today to address divisions within the government of national unity over the national budget. Speaking at the Ahmed Kathrada Legacy Business Breakfast, Mashatile said the meeting aims to reach consensus following the DA’s decision not to support the budget. He also reaffirmed that the government remains committed to service delivery, economic reform, and ensuring the budget reflects the priorities of citizens:

# Western Cape MEC for Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, tabled the budget of 9.83-billion-rand for the 2025/’26 financial year. Budget allocations include 365-million-rand towards administration, which provides for the Department’s bursary and skills development programmes, enhancement tools, digital infrastructure and energy projects. It also includes 2.5-billion-rand towards Public Works programmes, covering maintenance, rates, leases, municipal services and construction. Simmers says infrastructure is more than bricks and mortar:

# The Gauteng Health Department owes 225-million-rand to municipalities due to cash shortages, invoice delays, and missing Service Level Agreements.The largest amount owing is 160-million-rand to Emfuleni Municipality for cost of employment and goods and services, as well as 14.9-million-rand to Midvaal. Johannesburg is owed 21.6-million-rand for water, waste removal and electricity. Emfuleni is owed 160-million-rand, with 17.84-million-rand owed to Ekurhuleni for services across several hospitals. Tshwane is owed 6.11-million-rand and West Rand councils five-million-rand.

# Police minister Senzo Mchunu has clarified that DNA was not taken from a third person of interest in the rape case of seven-year-old Cwecwe. The girl was allegedly raped in a school in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape in October last year. The Police Ministry says initial comments of no DNA taken were misinterpreted. It says that two DNA samples have been collected, with further testing underway. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to a thorough investigation, urging the public to avoid misinformation.

# Motorsport: Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc admits they have a lot of work to do on the performance of the car. The driver from Monaco finished fourth in yesterday’s Japanese Grand Prix, 13 seconds in front of British teammate Lewis Hamilton, who finished seventh. Ferrari is already 76 points behind leaders McLaren in the constructors’ championship after just three races. Leclerc says he hopes the learnings at Suzuka may prove beneficial in the next race in Bahrain:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-35-cents and the euro at 21-rand-22-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-84-cents and Bitcoin trades at 77-thousand-918-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-and-28-dollars-66-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-54-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….