News 15:00

BULLETIN 4 May 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Huge fuel price increases are confirmed as from Wednesday
# Minister De Lille says the Africa Travel indaba connects African products with global markets
# And cricket: A 27.5-billion-rand deal has been struck for the acquisition of the IPL’s Rajasthan Royals

# More pain awaits South Africans at the fuel pumps from Wednesday. Minister of Mineral and Petroleum resources, Gwede Mantashe, announced huge increases at midnight tomorrow, driven by higher global oil prices, supply disruptions, and geopolitical tensions affecting crude oil markets. Petrol prices will rise by three-rand-27-cents per litre and diesel by six-rand-19-cents per litre. Illuminating paraffin and LPG gas will also see significant increases. Mantashe says despite fuel levy relief measures, international cost pressures continue to drive up local fuel prices.

Meanwhile, the taxi industry in the Western Cape is warning of possible fare increases as fuel prices continue to surge. Associations say fuel price hikes are placing severe strain on operators. The associations acknowledged that commuters already face a high cost of living and will feel the impact the most, but says the fare adjusting is for the sector to remain financially viable.

# The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department says the misuse of blue lights is a serious offence that undermines the integrity of law enforcement and public safety. This follows the arrest of two suspects in Sandton for impersonation, drunk driving and illegal use of blue lights over the weekend. Spokesperson Xolani Fihla says officials intercepted a vehicle andthe male driver identified himself as the official driver for the Free State’s Nala Municipality mayor:

# Tourism minister Patricia de Lille today announced the launch of Africa’s premier travel trade show in Durban. The Africa Travel Indaba 2026 is a four day event, and set to commence next Monday at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. Over one-thousand-300 exhibitors from more than 20 African countries will participate. De Lille says the event will boost tourism growth, support small businesses, and unlock economic opportunities in South Africa and Africa:

# Cricket: UK-based Indian business tycoon, Lakshmi M Mittal, and his family have agreed to acquire the Indian Premier League franchise Rajasthan Royals. The deal is around 27.5-billion-rand and also includes Paarl Royals in South Africa and Barbados Royals in the Caribbean. The Mittal family will own around 75-percent of the franchise following completion of the transaction, with Adar Poonawala of the Serum Institute of India holding around 18-percent. The remaining stake of about seven-percent will remain with the existing investors, including Rajasthan Royals’ current lead-owner Manoj Badale.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-72-cents and the euro at 19-rand-56-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-64-cents and Bitcoin trades at 78-thousand-935-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-562-dollars-41-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 110-dollars-6-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….