News 17:00

BULLETIN 25 March 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Government says corruption within the police will not be tolerated
# The DA calls for a 50-percent fuel levy cut to cushion households from the price shock
# And swimming: Cameron McEvoy says the best is yet to come after breaking one of swimming’s oldest world records.

# The government welcomes the arrest of twelve SAPS members and a company director over the irregular Medicare 24 tender. The deputy government spokesperson William Baloyi says the arrests send a strong message that no one is above the law. Government commends the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption for decisive action, reinforcing accountability, ethical leadership, and transparency. He says strengthening oversight and enforcing consequences are essential to maintain public trust in law enforcement institutions:

# The DA says an urgent 50 percent cut to fuel levies is needed to protect South Africans from steep fuel price hikes. The party warns that the looming petrol and diesel price hikes will increase transport fares, drive up food prices and worsen inflation, hitting low-income households the hardest. The DA’s Mark Burke says the levy cut could reduce prices by more than three-rand per litre:

# AfriForum spokesperson Ernst van Zyl has launched a scathing attack on ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, accusing him of poor leadership and damaging South Africa’s international relations. Speaking about a dossier on Mbalula, Van Zyl cited rising crime during Mbalula’s tenure as Police minister and declining rail performance as Transport minister. He claims Mbalula’s conduct continues to harm governance and public trust, while calling for greater accountability in leadership:

# The Nedlac Labour School is on its final day reflecting on key economic and labour challenges facing South Africa. Labour federations including COSATU and SAFTU are engaging on unemployment, rising living costs and collective bargaining. Speakers highlighted concerns over retrenchments, energy costs and infrastructure constraints. The delegates agreed that these challenges demand a unified response to ensure that growth is inclusive.

# Swimming: Cameron McEvoy says he can “get faster” after breaking one of swimming’s oldest world records. However, the Australian added it was “crazy” that he had received no financial prize for his exploits. McEvoy, the Olympic and world 50-metre freestyle champion, clocked 20.88 seconds at the China Open in Shenzhen last Friday, shaving off 0.03 seconds the men’s 50 metre freestyle world record set by Cesar Cielo 17 years ago. McEvoy signed the starting block from which launched his jaw-dropping performance and it will be preserved in a sports museum in Shenzhen.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-92-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-61-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-66-cents and Bitcoin trades at 71-thousand-612-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-551-dollars-92-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 95-dollars-92-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….