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Here’s your daily news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.
Photo: iStock / The Citizen / Cheryl Kahla
News today includes the National Assembly has approved a report adopting the national budget, despite strong resistance from several opposition parties.
Meanwhile, after an eight-year legal battle, Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso and his two co-accused have been found not guilty, bringing the high-profile rape case to an end.
Furthermore, South African motorists received welcome news as fuel prices decreased this week, bringing timely relief for those planning Easter holiday road trips.
Weather tomorrow: 3 April 2025
Severe thunderstorms are expected in parts of Gauteng, Northern Cape, North West and the Free State, while disruptive rainfall is forecast for parts of Mpumalanga. Fire danger conditions are also expected in the Northern Cape. Full weather forecast here.
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National Assembly passes budget after heated debate
The National Assembly has approved a report adopting the national budget, despite strong resistance from several opposition parties.
During a plenary session held at the Nieuwmeester Dome in Cape Town on Thursday, 194 Members of Parliament (MPs) voted in favor of the Standing Committee on Finance’s report on the fiscal framework and revenue proposals, while 182 MPs opposed it.
There were no abstentions.
The fiscal framework and revenue proposals outline the country’s economic policies, revenue projections, and government spending limits.
CONTINUE READING: National Assembly passes budget after heated debate
‘Clearing the air’: Inside Dirco’s meeting with US officials
The International Relations Department (Dirco) said it has set the record straight with senior White House and State Department officials about South Africa’s Expropriation Bill and equity laws following misinformation by some lobby groups.
Dirco said a delegation of senior officials, led by South Africa’s G20 Sherpa and the Director General Zane Dangor, visited the United Nations General Assembly to brief them on South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
It said during their visit, the delegation followed through with discussions initially initiated by the former US Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool before his expulsion by the US State Department last month.
CONTINUE READING: ‘Clearing the air’: Inside Dirco’s meeting with US officials
Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso walks free
After an eight-year legal battle, Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso and his two co-accused have been found not guilty, bringing the high-profile rape case to an end.
Omotoso, along with his alleged recruiters, Zukiswa Sitho and Lusanda Sulani, appeared in the Eastern Cape High Court in Gqeberha, where the verdict was delivered.
The trio faced a range of serious charges, including racketeering, human trafficking, rape, and sexual assault.
CONTINUE READING: Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso walks free
Justice for Cwecwe: Education department rescinds notice to deregister Bergview College amid ongoing investigation
The Eastern Cape Department of Education has rescinded its decision to revoke the operating license of Bergview College in Matatiele, where a seven-year-old pupil was allegedly raped in October 2024.
Education MEC Fundile Gade announced the reversal on Wednesday afternoon, stating that, “the MEC of Education has now waived the temporary revocation of the licence as the school cannot be closed in perpetuity.”
Gade explained that the initial revocation was intended as a temporary measure to “enforce accountability and cooperation with law enforcement agencies.”
CONTINUE READING: Justice for Cwecwe: Education department rescinds notice to deregister Bergview College amid ongoing investigation
Fuel price drop: Here’s how much it will cost to drive to your holiday destination this Easter
South African motorists received welcome news as fuel prices decreased this week, bringing timely relief for those planning Easter holiday road trips.
The Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) has confirmed that from Wednesday, 2 April, petrol prices will see a significant reduction of 58 cents per liter, marking the second consecutive monthly decrease after prices dropped in March.
From Wednesday, motorists will pay R21.62 for 95 Unleaded petrol and R21.51 for 93 Unleaded, representing substantial savings compared to last month’s prices of R22.34 and R22.09, respectively.
CONTINUE READING: Fuel price drop: Here’s how much it will cost to drive to your holiday destination this Easter
Here are five more stories of the day:
- Soshanguve shooting: Seventh victim dies in mass murder case
- ‘Missing pages’ and ‘bruised faces’: Joshlin Smith trial witness under scrutiny
- WATCH: Has 300 years passed? Mashaba says he’ll accept Cabinet post if Ramaphosa asks
- Johannesburg fire trucks: R400 million allocated to improve firefighting
- Justice for Cwecwe: AfriForum slams ‘social media detectives’ as outrage swells
Yesterday’s News recap
READ HERE: #JusticeforCwecwe marches | Petrol price drop | SA’s R440bn electricity programme
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