News 17:00

BULLETIN 12 March 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# National Liquor Traders condemn the excise tax and VAT hikes
# The DA demands the full vetting of educators as the sexual offender count rises
# And Olympic Games: Netball pushes for inclusion in the 2032 Games in Brisbane

# National Liquor Traders has slammed the government’s above-inflation excise tax and VAT increases, warning of severe consequences for tavern owners and consumers. The board’s convenor, Lucky Ntimane, says the rising costs will push more people towards illicit alcohol, which already accounts for over 20-billion-rand annually. Ntimane urges government to implement a stable tax regime and crack down on counterfeit liquor instead. He argues that protecting legal businesses will help sustain 500-thousand jobs and support economic growth.

Meanwhile, Cosatu has slammed the budget, opposing the planned VAT hike from 15-percent to 16-percent over the next two years. COSATU argues these measures will worsen the financial strain on workers. While welcoming increased spending on public services, infrastructure, and social grants, the union federation calls for better tax enforcement and more progressive revenue options. It urges Parliament to amend the budget, rejecting policies that burden the poor while favouring the wealthy.

# The DA is calling for urgent vetting of all school staff after the number of sexual offenders found working in Gauteng schools increased from four to 12. The DA’s Michael Waters says despite vetting efforts, only nine-percent of the required 86-thousand-367 employees have been screened. Waters calls on the Gauteng Education Department to complete vetting to protect learners, and the removal and blacklisting of offenders:

Meanwhile, the Western Cape’s 2026 on-time school admission applications have begun, with 43-thousand-727 applications already submitted for Grades R, 1, and 8. Education MEC David Maynier has urged parents to apply before the 15 April deadline to secure placement. He reiterates that early applications help them plan effectively:

# Olympic Games: Netball continues to push for a place in the 2032 Games in Brisbane, Australia. Representatives of World Netball and Netball Australia had a virtual meeting with the organisers, where they discussed the potential inclusion of the sport. CEO Fiona Harold says the world body already commissioned a feasibility study and consulted multiple stakeholders. They believe inclusion would greatly enhance the Olympic movement, and have a significant impact on netball’s core strategies of growing, playing and inspiring.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-41-cents and the euro at 20-rand-6-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-84-cents and Bitcoin trades at 83-thousand-367-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-908-dollars-52-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-22-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….