News 16:00

BULLETIN 4 April 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Senzo Mchunu says investigations into the rape case of the 7-year old Cwecwe is at a sensitive stage
# China adds fuel to the trade war fire with the US
# And Rugby: A knock-out weekend for the Lions, the Bulls and the Sharks in the Challenge Cup

# Police minister Senzo Mchunu says there are currently no witnesses in the rape case of seven-year-old Cwecwe from Matatiele in the Eastern Cape. The incident is said to have taken place in October 2024. Providing an update on the investigations, Mchunu expressed concern over rising gender-based violence cases against children. Mchunu emphasised the sensitivity of the matter and ongoing investigations, adding that police cannot share further details:

# Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola says South Africa will expand market access and strengthen global alliances in response to the new US tariffs. The government plans to diversify trade relationships, focusing on markets across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Lamola told the media South Africa will also leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area to enhance regional trade and reduce reliance on a single market to reduce tariff exposure:

# China will slap 34-percent tariffs on all imports of US goods from 10 April after Washington imposed steep new levies on Chinese products. China’s Finance ministry announced this will be on top of the current applicable tariff rate. Beijing’s Commerce Ministry also imposed export controls on seven rare earth elements, including gadolinium, commonly used in magnetic resonance imaging, and yttrium, which is used in consumer electronics. China will also file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organisation over tariffs.

# Rugby: The Lions, Bulls and Sharks are in action this weekend in the round of 16 of the Challenge Cup. The Lions have a tough nut to crack when they face Edinburgh at 9pm tonight in Scotland. Tomorrow afternoon at half-past-one the Bulls are in France to face Bayonne. The Sharks have to wait till Sunday to face Lyon at 6:30pm also in France. The Sharks are the defending champions.

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-6-cents and the euro at 21-rand-8-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-82-cents and Bitcoin trades at 82-thousand-412-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-97-dollars-40-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-30-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Santa Shoebox Project has officially opened applications for beneficiaries, allowing people to nominate a school, creche, or child-focused organisation that deserves to receive Santa Shoeboxes. The Santa Shoebox Project originated in Cape Town in 2006, distributes gifts in shoeboxes to underprivileged children in South Africa and Namibia. Last year, it distributed 74-thousand-751 shoe boxes to beneficiaries including the Kisima Orphanage Home, Hearts Of Hope, and Planet Brain Academy in Namibia. Applications close on the 24th of April.

Stay tuned for more news………….