News 16:00

BULLETIN 23 April 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Lebogang Phiri reveals deliberate sabotage of water infrastructure in Tshwane
# The Transport minister launches public consultations on the rail master plan
# And Iran receives the first Strait of Hormuz shipping toll

# Suspended Tshwane Metro Police inspector Lebogang Phiri has told the Madlanga commission criminal syndicates deliberately vandalised water infrastructure to disrupt supply in Tshwane. He alleges once reservoirs were damaged, illegal tanker operators extracted water from municipal hydrants and sell it unlawfully. Phiri says he halted deployment of private security firm Gubis85 Solutions after receiving emails authorising the deployment of security services to guard infrastructure without his approval:

# Transport minister Barbara Creecy has launched public consultations on the draft national rail master plan to position rail as the backbone of the transport and logistics system. The plan seeks to shift more freight and passengers from road to rail, reduce congestion and transport costs, and boost economic growth. Creecy asked stakeholders at the launch in Kempton Park, Gauteng, to participate in the consultation process, running until July:

# South African Communist Party general secretary, Solly Mapaila, has urged members to remain firm against ultimatums from its alliance partner, the ANC. Briefing the media today, Mapaila says the SACP stands by its independence and principles amid rising tensions over plans to contest the local government elections independently. He warned against internal pressure being turned into disciplinary action, calling for solidarity and protection of the party’s agenda:

Moving abroad:

# Iran has received the first tolls from shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament did not say who paid the tolls, or how much they were, and according to the BBC, his claim couldn’t be verified. Before the current ceasefire Tehran had said it had limited the passage to what it called friendly countries, and Iran would collect tolls from vessels passing through the strait. President Donald Trump has previously said the US would target ships if they pay Iran to use the strait.

# Motorsport: McLaren drivers Lando Norris from Britain and Australian Oscar Piastri say it would be a big loss for Formula One if four-time world champion Max Verstappen should retire. Red Bull’s Dutch driver has hinted at several occasions he could quit at the end of the season, voicing his frustration at this season’s sweeping rule changes. Piastri says they want to race against the best and prove themselves against the best. Verstappen is currently ninth in the drivers’ standings after a disappointing start to the season.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-49-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-28-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-25-cents and Bitcoin trades at 77-thousand-749-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-732-dollars-89-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 97-dollars-6-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….