News 18:00

BULLETIN 13 March 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Numsa mobilises for a bus sector strike amid unresolved disputes
# Political parties are warned not to cast doubt on the election
# And rugby: Tony Brown is excited to start as the Springboks’ attack coach

# Metalworkers union Numsa says employers in the bus passenger sector are provoking a national strike by demanding workers absorb contract penalties and creating a two-tier labour market. After failed negotiations and a minor wage increase offer, the union rejects these demands and prepares for a strike. They demand adjustments to allowances, medical insurance and working hours, accusing employers of exploitation. Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola vows to fight for fair treatment and criticises employers for exploiting workers while receiving government subsidies:

# Defend Our Democracy urges political parties to refrain from casting unwarranted doubt on the electoral processes and the Independent Electoral Commission. The civil society group, which launched it’s election watch campaign, expressed concern about certain political parties, particularly the uMkhonto we Sizwe party, making alarming statements, including threats, and discrediting the IEC’s integrity. The group’s Andries Sibanyoni calls on parties to engage in constructive critique, leave election observation to civil society, and avoid actions that harm democracy:

# A 74-old British man will be extradited to Italy where he stands accused of murdering his partner. Michael Whitbread allegedly stabbed 66-year-old Michele Faiers to death in the home they shared near the coastal town of Casoli in October last year. Whitbread was arrested in Britain shortly after Faiers’s body was found. He had apparently driven from Italy to the United Kingdom. His lawyer said at the time he was only visiting relatives and intended to return to Italy since he had a travel ticket.

# Rugby: New Zealander Tony Brown says he is looking forward to working with the Springboks. The former All Blacks flyhalf is South Africa’s new attack coach, and along with new defence coach Jerry Flannery, they linked up with the Boks as they stepped up preparations for the 2024 international season. Brown says he has long been an admirer of the Boks’ style of play:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-60-cents and the euro at 20-rand-35-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-81-cents and Bitcoin trades at 72-thousand-585-dollars-74-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-166-dollars-63-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 83-dollars-60-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A Lancet report indicates that South Africa witnessed 733-thousand deaths in 2021, with 130-thousand attributed to Covid-19. The excess mortality rate due to Covid-19 during 2020 and 2021 stood at 3.12 deaths per one-thousand people, highlighting the pandemic’s impact on mortality rates. During 2020 and 2021, South Africa saw a decrease in mortality rates by minus-3.3-percent. The report shows that globally, Covid-19 contributed to 12.3-percent of the 31-million deaths in 2020 and 2021 due to direct infection or pandemic-related behavioural changes.

Stay tuned for more news………….