News 18:00

BULLETIN 27 March 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Solidarity urges employers to avoid retrenchments amid fuel price spikes
# The ANC’s Limpopo Conference will proceed after the court dismisses an urgent bid to stop the conference
# And, India approves military purchase proposals worth 412-billion-rand

# Trade union Solidarity is urging employers not to respond to rising fuel prices with retrenchments or other drastic job cuts. With diesel and petrol prices set to rise sharply next week, the union warns that this could turn temporary economic pressure into long-term harm for workers and consumers. Solidarity’s Gideon du Plessis says employers should first consider alternatives such as reducing non-essential expenses, reviewing travel allowances and introducing flexible work arrangements: 

This comes while the government is facing mounting pressure to intervene as fuel prices surge ahead of Easter. From Wednesday, motorists are expected to face sharp fuel price increases, with 93-octane petrol rising by about five-rand-32-cents per litre and 95-octane petrol by around five-rand-82-cents per litre. Diesel could climb by more than ten-rand-27-cents per litre, while paraffin is set for the steepest jump, increasing by roughly eleven-rand-63-cents per litre and nearly doubling in price, hitting households just as colder weather sets in.

# The High Court in Polokwane has dismissed an urgent application to halt the ANC Limpopo provincial conference. Judge Tshifhiwa Tshivhase ruled the case lacked urgency, citing non-compliance with court rules. Applicant Basil Mabasa argued irregular delegate nominations in Ward 10, Collins Chabane, but the court found no sufficient grounds. The judge also ruled each party to pay its own legal costs as the conference continues today into the weekend:

# India’s defence ‌acquisition council approved proposals ​worth 412-billion-rand today, ​to buy medium transport aircraft, ​Russian ​S-400 surface-to-air missile ‌systems, ⁠and remotely piloted strike ​aircraft. The Indian government, through the Ministry of Defence, justified the expenditure as a strategic necessity to balance national security, technological modernisation, and economic self-reliance. It cites heightened operational commitments and sustained tensions along its borders with China and Pakistan borders as a primary driver. Approximately 75-percent of the capital budget is earmarked for domestic procurement to reduce long-term “import dependence”.

# Soccer: Coach Hugo Broos aims to test squad depth when Bafana Bafana face Panama tonight at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium. This comes as Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Mbekezeli Mbokazi sit out due to travel fatigue. After an inspiring visit from Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, spirits are high in the South African camp. Fans can catch the action live on SABC 3 and SuperSport at 7 pm, as Bafana begins a crucial two-match friendly series against the Central American side in preparation for the World Cup starting in June. The next encounter against Panama is on Tuesday in Cape Town.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-12-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-74-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-79-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-823-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-457-dollars-50-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 103-dollars-47-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….