News 14:00

BULLETIN 31 March 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The High Court dismisses a legal bid to overturn Andy Mothibi’s appointment as National Director of Public Prosecutions 
# Ramaphosa confirms to global investors that South Africa is ready for business
# And soccer: A survey reveals the majority of premier league fans call for Video Assistant Refereeing to be scrapped

# The High Court in Pretoria has dismissed a legal challenge by Barnabas Xulu of legal firm B Xulu and Partners seeking to nullify the appointment of Andy Mothibi as National Director of Public Prosecutions. The court ruled Xulu’s arguments lacked locus standi. It says president Cyril Ramaphosa acted procedurally rationally by appointing Mothibi without a public advisory panel, as the original screening process had concluded without identifying a suitable candidate.

# Ramaphosa has called on investors to seize opportunities in South Africa. He said at the investment conference in Johannesburg South Africa is ready to do business as the G20 presidency boosted its global standing and attracted commitments from 15 markets. He says over one-thousand-200 delegates from over 50 countries attending the conference signals strong confidence in the country’s long-term growth potential:

# The Freedom Front Plus says the Ekurhuleni Municipality is not only facing financial challenges, but is also experiencing a serious crisis of governance and accountability. The Gauteng metro has once again received a qualified audit opinion from the Auditor-General for the 2024/25 financial year. The FF Plus’ Denise Janse van Rensburg says the report confirms irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure, meaning taxpayers’ money is still misappropriated without consequences for those responsible:

# The South African chapter of the Anti-Apartheid Movement is calling on government to take an unambiguous position opposing the US and Israel’s war on Iran. Chairperson, reverend Frank Chikane, says they are also calling for the dismantling of US military bases in West Asia and Africa, and immediate sanctions to be imposed on Israel. Chikane says people of the world can either oppose this war or condemn the world to a future of barbarism, violence, and subjugation of the weak by the powerful.

# Soccer: A new survey by the sport’s Supporters’ Association shows more than three-quarters of Premier League fans want Video Assistant Refereeing scrapped. The poll of nearly eight-thousand supporters found 76-percent oppose the system, while 97-percent say it has made the sport less enjoyable. Fans also criticised delays and reduced spontaneity in matches. Despite this, the Premier League insists VAR improves accuracy, saying it remains widely supported but needs better implementation, with major changes unlikely in the near future.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-12-cents and the euro at 19-rand-63-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-61-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-377-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-558-dollars-60-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 106-dollars-97-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….