News 17:00

BULLETIN 23 February 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# COSATU calls on the government to enhance relief for the poor and unemployed
# Brown Mogotsi is to testify before Parliament’s ad hoc committee
# And cricket: Australia, Bangladesh and England will visit the Proteas Men next summer

# COSATU is calling on government and the National Treasury to enhance relief for the poor and unemployed in the National Budget speech on Wednesday. COSATU’s spokesperson Matthew Parks says the social relief of distress grant needs to be raised to the food poverty line and the presidential employment stimulus plan must be expanded to one-million young people by April and two-million by November this year: 

# Economist Duma Gqubule criticised the government’s economic leadership, describing its approach as kindergarten economics. He accuses authorities of misleading the public by claiming the economy is recovering and debt is stabilising, while in reality national debt has doubled. Gqubule warns that poor leadership and weak policies are causing financial instability and eroding public trust, and he stresses the urgent need for credible economic management to restore confidence:

# North West businessman Brown Mogotsi is expected to appear before Parliament’s ad hoc committee tomorrow to testify on allegations of political interference and corruption within the justice system. Mogotsi’s earlier refusal to attend without security arrangements sparked controversy. It is still unclear if his requested security measures have been implemented. KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused Mogotsi of meddling in police matters. Mogotsi previously testified at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

# The American Customs and Border Protection Agency will tomorrow halt collections of tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. This coincides with president Donald Trump’s imposition of a new, 15-percent global tariff under a different legal authority to replace the ones struck down by the Supreme Court on Friday.  It does not affect any other tariffs imposed by Trump, including those under the sections for national security statute and unfair trade practices statute. Friday’s decision makes billions of dollars in Treasury revenue subject to potential refunds.

# Cricket: A busy home season awaits the Proteas Men next summer, featuring matches against Australia, Bangladesh and England. South Africa will face Australia in a three-match one-day series in September, with matches being played in Durban, the Wanderers and Potchefstroom. The reigning world champion will then play three Tests against the Aussies in October – in Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town. Bangladesh will visit for an all-format tour from November, followed by an ODI series against England in January.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-1-cent and the euro at 18-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-60-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-146-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-155-dollars-64-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-48-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….