News 18:00

BULLETIN 2 April 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA accuses ActionSA and the IFP of betrayal over their VAT hike support
# The NPA is to review Timothy Omotoso’s judgment
# And rugby: The All Black prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi may miss the Test series against France with a neck injury

# The DA says ActionSA and the IFP have betrayed South Africans by supporting the ANC’s budget, which includes a VAT increase. The party argues that instead of amending the fiscal framework, they backed a flawed report with weak recommendations that will likely be ignored. In the Parliamentary debate on the budget, the DA’s Mark Burke warned the VAT hike will harm jobs and economic growth:

# The National Prosecuting Authority has acknowledged the High Court in Gqeberha’s ruling that acquitted Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, on 32 charges, including rape, sexual assault and human trafficking. Judge Irma Schoeman cited prosecutorial errors and inadequate cross-examination in the eight-year-long case. Delays led to reduced charges, and the withdrawal of witnesses. NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali says the judgment will be reviewed to determine the next legal steps:

# The United Africans Transformation is calling for a march in Makotopong, Limpopo, on Tuesday after a 13-year-old learner was allegedly sexually abused by a teacher at Mananga Primary School. The accused, charged with abusing the victim since November and threatening her life, appeared in the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court today. His case was postponed to April 11 for profiling and a bail application. The party’s Mighty Mabule pledged support for the victim’s family and demanded justice:

# Rugby: A neck injury may keep prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi out of the All Blacks’ Test series against France. He will undergo an operation and will miss the rest of defending champions the Blues’ Super Rugby season. The team is currently second from bottom on the log with only one victory in six matches. The All Blacks play France in Dunedin on the fifth of July, following by the second Test in Wellington a week later, and the final one in Hamilton on the 19th.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-69-cents and the euro at 20-rand-23-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-17-cents and Bitcoin trades at 85-thousand-588-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-124-dollars-28-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-31-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Prince Harry has praised his Travalyst initiative for promoting sustainable tourism, despite ongoing controversy surrounding his Sentebale charity in Lesotho. Sentebale chairperson Sophie Chandauka accused him of harassment and bullying after he and other trustees resigned, claims they deny. Meanwhile, Harry released Travalyst’s Five Year Milestone Report, urging action on climate change and responsible travel. Travalyst aims to cut carbon emissions, prevent over-tourism, and boost local economies.

Stay tuned for more news………….