News 18:00

BULLETIN 31 March 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Parliament’s Transport committee warns South Africa faces an economic hit from US vehicle tariffs
# Home Affairs extends its visa concession to September
# And France hits Apple with a three-billion-rand fine

# Parliament’s Transport portfolio committee warns that the US’ decision to impose a 25-percent tariff on foreign-made vehicles and parts will impact South Africa’s automotive industry. South Africa previously enjoyed duty-free access under AGOA, exporting 27.9-billion-rand in vehicles and components to the US in 2023. Committee chairperson, Donald Selamolela, told Newzroom Afrika this could hurt South Africa’s vehicle exports and economic growth:

# The Department of Home Affairs has extended the visa concession deadline from today to 30 September. Minister Leon Schreiber announced the extension, citing delays caused by printing errors. According to Business Tech, visa holders awaiting outcomes for waivers, appeals, and long-term applications can stay in South Africa until the new deadline. They are also permitted to depart and re-enter the country under specific conditions, ensuring minimal disruption for affected applicants.

# A petition calling for justice for seven-year-old Cwecwe, who was raped at Bergville College in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, has gained over 670-thousand signatures. The outpouring of support continues, with a march scheduled in Cape Town tomorrow. Speaking at the Uyinene Mrwetyana commemorative lecture in Makhanda, Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube says the incident, which occurred in October last year, has sparked national outrage after the school was accused of mishandling the situation:

# French antitrust authorities handed Apple a three-billion-rand fine over its app tracking privacy feature. The watchdog says the way Apple implemented its App Tracking Transparency software was neither necessary nor proportionate to the company’s stated goal to protect user data, and also penalised third-party publishers. In addition to the fine, Apple will have to publish the decision on its website for seven days. Authorities in Germany, Italy, Romania and Poland have opened similar probes over ATT, which Apple promotes as a privacy safeguard.

# Golf: Johannesburg will host local and international stars in the Joburg Ladies Open this week. The tournament, co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Ladies Tour and the Ladies European Tour, will be played at the Modderfontein Club from Thursday. It will feature all of the top-ten players in the local Order of Merit, including number one, Casandra Alexander, as well as seven of the top European Tour players. Defending champion, Chiara Tumburlini of Switzerland, will also return. Prize money this year is 5.9-million-rand.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-42-cents and the euro at 19-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-78-cents and Bitcoin trades at 82-thousand-904-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-111-dollars-49-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-7-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….