News 16:00

BULLETIN 5 March 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Gauteng commits to resolving the e-toll issue by the end of the month
# The Road Accident Fund’s board is under threat of delinquency amid a dispute with the Auditor-General
# And ugby: Bongi Mbonambi apologises to the referee in the Lions clash 

# Gauteng’s MEC for Finance, Jacob Mamabolo, has declared a firm commitment to resolving the e-tolls issue by the end of this month. This follows a policy pronouncement in 2022, with the province agreeing to contribute 30-percent to settle the South African National Roads Agency’s debt, while the national government covers the remaining 70-percent. In his provincial budget address, Mamabolo says gantry lights and cameras will remain for law enforcement, and road users can continue using eTags at other toll plazas:

# The Road Accident Fund board faces delinquency threats amid a dispute with the Auditor-General. Despite a new board’s tenure, litigation against the AG remains unchanged, prompting criticism. The disagreement centres around accounting standards for the RAF’s financial results. Efforts to obtain comments from relevant authorities are ongoing. The RAF unilaterally changed its accounting standard, leading to a qualified audit opinion. Concerns persist over the board’s handling of the issue, with calls for accountability.

# Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Vusi Shongwe, says the number of shooting incidences in places of entertainment at night seems to be on the rise in the province. Three people were shot and killed when two armed men entered a tavern in Tweefontein on Sunday night and opened fire indiscriminately. The department’s spokesperson, Moeti Mmusi, says other shooting cases that occurred in the vicinity of taverns were previously also reported in Mantengelani in Bushbuckridge, Piet Retief and Mayflower:

# The Department of Basic Education has urged all public schools to finalise their plans and to conduct the 2024 school governing body elections this month. Minister Angie Motshekga issued a government gazette notification last year, confirming the dates for the elections this month. Through these elections, school communities can influence policies and decisions that will guide the educational landscape for years to come. The department’s spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, says strengthened partnerships is the fuel that ignites progress:

# Rugby: Sharks captain Bongi Mbonambi has apologised for his behaviour towards referee Aimee Barrett-Theron during Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash against the Lions at Ellis Park. She asked the Springbok hooker to show her the same respect she was showing him. Mbonambi explains his emotions got the better of him when his team was under pressure, but says he have the utmost respect for officials and it was never his intention to be rude or difficult. The Lions won the match 40-10.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-99-cents and the euro at 20-rand-60-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-8-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-996-dollars-6-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-122-dollars-16-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-27-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….