News 17:00

BULLETIN 1 April 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# SAMA will challenge the National Health Insurance Act in court over its feasibility and impact on healthcare
# The Electricity minister says South Africa needs 440-billion-rand to modernise the electricity grid
# And cricket: Young opener Sam Konstas gets his first central contract from Cricket Australia

# The South African Medical Association has launched a legal challenge against the National Health Insurance Act, citing concerns over its feasibility and impact on doctors, patients, and the healthcare system. They argue the act introduces bureaucratic barriers that limit access to care and lack clarity on essential services, procurement, and patient registration. The association’s chairperson, Mvuyisi Mzukwa, warns private doctors will face unrealistic workload increases while earning less:

# Electricity and Energy minister, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, says South Africa needs 440-billion-rand to modernise and expand its electricity grid. The plan includes upgrading transmission infrastructure to improve energy security and support renewable power. Ramokgopa told the media due to the state’s financial constraints, government is turning to independent transmission providers to help fund and carry out the needed upgrades:

# The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has announced a fuel price drop effective from tomorrow, with the price of 93-octane petrol decreasing by 58-cents per litre and 95-octane petrol by 72-cents per litre. Diesel prices will see a decrease of between 84- and 86-cents per litre. The department’s Robert Maake says the adjustments are attributed to lower crude oil prices and a stronger rand:

# China sent its Army, Navy, air and rocket forces to surround Taiwan for large-scale drills Beijing says this is aimed at practising for precision strikes and a blockade of the self-ruled island. Taiwan dispatched its own aircraft and ships, and deployed land-based missile systems, in response to the exercises and accused Beijing of being the world’s biggest troublemaker. The drills come after US Defense secretary Pete Hegseth said in Japan the United States would ensure credible deterrence across the Taiwan Strait.

# Cricket: Young opening batter Sam Konstas received his first central contract from Cricket Australia for the next season, including June’s final of the World Test Championship against South Africa and the Ashes Series against England. The 19-year-old impressed in December’s Boxing Day Test against India when he knocked 60 off just 65 balls on debut. He is one of 23 men’s players being awarded contracts. Head of selectors George Bailey says Konstas is seen as a promising young player who will continue to develop.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-34-cents and the euro at 19-rand-79-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-65-cents and Bitcoin trades at 83-thousand-720-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-130-dollars-29-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-69-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….