News 16:00

BULLETIN 25 March 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill awaits approval from the NCOP 
# An overhaul of the immigration system is demanded following the escape of 69 undocumented foreigners 
# And tennis: Alcaraz dreams of a rivalry like that of Roger and Rafa 

# The minister of Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, says the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill has advanced to the National Council of Provinces after approval in the National Assembly. During a media briefing he emphasised the bill’s transformative impact, facilitating electricity production and sales through a transmission system operator under the National Transmission Company. This aims for fair treatment of all electricity producers and non-discriminatory access to the national grid. Ramokgopa says this will benefit the South African economy and consumers:

# Political parties are demanding an overhaul of South Africa’s immigration system after 69 undocumented foreign nationals escaped from Gauteng’s Lindela repatriation centre. IFP spokesperson Liezl van der Merwe emphasises the need for urgent action, citing a collapse in managing illegal immigration. ActionSA’s Lerato Ngobeni also echoes similar concerns, calling for thorough staff reviews and a revamped approach to deportation centres. Home Affairs vowed to investigate the escape and address underlying issues in facility management and security.

# The fourth accused in the disappearance of West Coast girl Joslin Smith has abandoned her bail application. A neighbour of the family, Lourentia Lombaard, appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court this morning, charged with human trafficking and kidnapping. The six-year-old girl vanished from her home in the Middelpos informal settlement in Saldanha Bay five weeks ago today. Lombaard’s case had been postponed to the 13th of May, when she will appear in court together with Joslin’s mother, Kelly, her boyfriend and another man.

# Donald Trump faces twin legal crises in New York today. The 77-year-old real estate magnate and Republican presidential candidate has already been hit by heavy fines in two civil cases. In his case over business fraud, his lawyers must today either prove he can guarantee payment of the 8.6-billion-rand fine or face the possible seizure of some of his assets. Separately, a criminal court in Manhattan will convene today to set a new date in his historic trial over payments to porn star Stormy Daniels.

# Tennis: World number two Carlos Alcaraz says he dreams to be part of a rivalry like that of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The duel between the Swiss and the Spaniard is regarded as the greatest ever. Alcaraz, also from Spain, says it taught him you always have to raise your level of play. He and Italian Jannik Sinner are currently regarded as the most exciting players of the next generation, with both players winning four of their eight previous encounters. They could meet in the Miami Open next.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-92-cents and the euro at 20-rand-50-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-92-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-217-dollars-49-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-175-dollars-95-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-2-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….