News 18:00

BULLETIN 18 February 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA in Tshwane reveals the Zanzou nightclub is operating illegally
# Golf: Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace are confirmed for the SA Open in Durban
# And two people are charged with the theft of the historic brass bell from Groot Constantia

# The DA in Tshwane has revealed the Zanzou nightclub in Pretoria is operating without proper zoning compliance. Health spokesperson Dikeledi Selowa says investigations found the club was zoned as a Category 1 business, which prohibits nightclub operations. This follows video footage of alleged torture at the venue, now under criminal investigation. Selowa has urged stricter by-law compliance, including unannounced inspections of nightclubs:

# Trade union Solidarity says further tax increases in Finance minister Enoch Godongwana’s budget speech would be a slap in the face to South Africans. They urge National Treasury to reduce corporate tax rates as part of an economic recovery plan. Solidarity’s Theuns du Buisson advocates for salary cuts for non-essential government workers as a means to free up resources for vital sectors like policing.

# South Africa is hosting G20 Employment Working Group meetings in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape, focusing on labour and employment issues. The four-day event will cover youth employment, gender equality, income inequality, and digitalisation’s impact. Guest countries from Africa have been invited to enhance regional cooperation. Employment and Labour minister Nomakhosazana Meth says the meetings align with South Africa’s G20 presidency theme of solidarity, equality and sustainability:

# Golf: Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace will play in the South African Open at Durban Country Club from 27 February to 2 March. They’ll join defending champion Dean Burmester in a strong local field that is focused on claiming a seventh consecutive South African victory in this tournament. The South African challenge will also feature Shaun Norris, currently the highest ranked South African on the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai rankings in fifth place.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-41-cents and the euro at 19-rand-23-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-20-cents and Bitcoin trades at 96-thousand-249-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-919-dollars-72-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-10-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Two people are facing charges in connection with the theft of Groot Constantia in Cape Town’s historic brass bell, stolen in September last year. While the clapper was recovered, the rest of the bell remains missing. One suspect appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on charges including theft and contravention of the National Heritage Resources Act. A 20-thousand-rand reward has been offered for information leading to the recovery of the stolen bell. The wine estate dates from 1685.

Stay tuned for more news………….