News 14:00

BULLETIN 13 March 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The SA maritime authority monitors the Middle Eastern conflict amid shipping route concerns
# Government targets driver behaviour and the 0-percent alcohol limit to reduce road deaths
# And motorsport: Russell leads Mercedes’ one-two in Chinese Grand Prix sprint qualifying race

# The South African Maritime Safety Authority says it is closely monitoring the Middle Eastern conflict and its potential impact on global shipping routes. Fighting involving the US and Israel against Iran has disrupted traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20-percent of global oil passes. Shipping companies are increasingly rerouting vessels around the Cape of Good Hope. SAMSA CEO Dennis Mqadi says they are ready to assist vessels navigating South Africa’s coastline with safety and navigational support.

# Transport deputy minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa says government is focusing on public education on driver behaviour as it is responsible for about 80-percent of fatal road crashes in South African roads. He says government is reviewing the National Road Transport Act to introduce a zero-percent alcohol limit for drivers as a plan to reduce road fatalities. Hlengwa has urged drivers to avoid texting while driving, rest every two hours, and follow the road traffic rules.

# Energy regulator NERSA says it remains committed to regulating the electricity sector in a manner that balances cost-reflective tariffs, consumer protection and the financial sustainability of the electricity supply industry. The average tariff for Eskom direct customers will rise by 8.76-percent on April 1 and by 9.01-percent for municipalities on July 1. Nersa’s spokesperson, Charles Hlebela, says the public consultation process on municipal tariff applications will conclude next Saturday:

# Motorsport: George Russell took pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race, leading a Mercedes one-two ahead of Italy’s Kimi Antonelli. Russell was 0.289-seconds faster around the Shanghai International Circuit than Antonelli, with McLaren’s world champion, Lando Norris, in third. Joining Norris on the second row for tomorrow morning’s 19-lap race will be Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion was fourth in his Ferrari. Russell says after winning in Melbourne, they knew they had a really good car and the engine was performing very well.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-82-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-27-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-30-cents and Bitcoin trades at 72-thousand-317-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-and-92-dollars-83-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 97-dollars-97-cents a barrel.

# And lastly, the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company is cautioning all visitors and hikers to take extra care when exploring the mountain as the Western Cape is currently in the midst of an intense heatwave. Spokesperson Wahida Parker says the extreme heat is placing additional pressure on the province’s already strained water reserves, as high temperatures increase both evaporation and overall demand:

Stay tuned for more news………….