Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-10-06 i Mercury

The Public Investment Corporation board said in a statement it has resolved to place its chief investment officer (CIO), Kabelo Rikhotso, on precautionary suspension, with immediate effect. Rikhotso’s suspension follows allegations of misconduct that were levelled against him through a whistleblower report. "Effected in line with applicable labour legislation and internal PIC policies and procedures, the suspension is intended to ensure a fair, objective and independent investigation into these allegations. The suspension does not, in any way, constitute a finding nor is it a pronouncement of any wrongdoing on the part of the CIO," the PIC said. In the interim and to ensure continuity, August van Heerden, chief risk officer, has been appointed as acting chief investment officer. The PIC said it remains firmly committed to the highest standards of…

as Postbank fights with Sassa The South African Postbank has taken issue with the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) over what it describes as a unilateral decision to extend their Master Service Agreement (MSA) by three months, arguing that the matter should instead be determined by a Ministerial Inter-Governmental Committee (IMC) directed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Last week, Sassa announced a three-month extension to the notice period for the termination of the MSA with Postbank, saying the move would provide “time and space” for the executive authority to deliberate on issues between the two entities and offer guidance. However, Postbank maintains that the decision undermines a presidential directive made after a high-level meeting between the parties and the Presidency, where it was agreed that an IMC would be established…

On Tuesday, workers will mark the International Day for Decent Work. In South Africa, workers led by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and its affiliates, will hold activities in all provinces, from marches in Cape Town to pickets in Mpumalanga, to raise the plight of millions and place a spotlight on the call for decent work. The International Day of Decent Work is a rallying point for the trade union movement to push employers and governments to do more to improve the working and living conditions of the working class. South African workers across economic sectors and workplaces have seen substantial improvements in their working and living conditions since the dark days of apartheid, and more especially since the democratic breakthrough of 1994 when workers’ rights…

Amazon.com’s cloud-computing business has helped propel its shares for almost two decades, but increasing pressure from rivals like Microsoft and Oracle is sapping some of the stock’s appeal. The proliferation of artificial intelligence has led to an explosion of demand for cloud hyperscalers, where Amazon Web Services has the biggest market share. It’s followed by Microsoft’s Azure and Alphabet’s Google Cloud Platform, with Oracle’s huge growth suggesting there’s a fourth major player on the field. CoreWeave Inc. is also garnering investor attention. The scope of Amazon’s challenge becomes clear in its dwindling stock market valuation. At roughly 25 times expected earnings over the next 12 months compared with 27 times for the Nasdaq 100 Index, Amazon is close to its biggest discount to the tech-heavy benchmark on record. Oracle,…

In a society where love and marriage once stood as the ultimate goals for many women, there’s a new chapter unfolding – one where increasing numbers of women are choosing to stay single. This movement has stirred important conversations about independence, personal choice and the evolving views of relationships around the world. A recent report by Morgan Stanley has predicted that 45% of US women aged 25 – 44 will be single and without children by 2030, up from 41% in 2018. While this statistic is particularly striking within the US, the phenomenon is also being observed on a global scale. So, what’s driving this transformation? Several factors seem to play a significant role, including career focus, cultural shifts and economic independence. Women today are prioritising their professional lives and…

A REPORT on the development of children under five has made the damning finding that children from poorer communities are falling behind even before they start formal schooling. The Thrive by Five Index was released last month by the Department of Basic Education and other organisations with an interest in the sector. This is the second such report in the past few years. The Department of Basic Education said the findings from the report laid bare the areas that should be their primary focus. The Thrive by Five Index 2024 represents South Africa’s most comprehensive effort to date to assess the developmental status of four-year-old children across the country, grounded in the Nurturing Care Framework for Early Childhood Development. The index (report) is designed to provide a clear, regular picture…

Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber has welcomed the conviction of a dismissed Home Affairs official, who was found guilty on nine counts of fraud and two counts of contravening the Births and Deaths Registration Act. Dawn Pieterson, who was employed at the Department of Home Affairs office in Calvinia, Northern Cape, committed the crimes between February 2019 and September 2022. It was found that she abused her access to departmental records by opening funeral policies in the names of unsuspecting clients, nominating herself as a beneficiary, and then falsely declaring those individuals deceased in order to cash in on policy payouts. She was found guilty last week in the Calvinia Magistrate’s Court, and she is due to be sentenced on January 26, 2026. Minister Schreiber said the case…

While the Sharks were only able to grab a share of the spoils in the 17-17 draw with Dragons in the swirling wind and heavy rain at Rodney Parade on Friday night, the performance was a vast improvement on their Glasgow Warriors clash and showed that they are on the up ahead of Friday’s final leg of their United Rugby Championship tour. The tactical improvements were particularly noticeable among the forwards, who had struggled to fend off a Warriors onslaught in the closing stages of their opening-round defeat in Wales. Coach John Plumtree will no doubt have been pleased by the way they turned things around in the driving rain, with the front row of Simphiwe Matanzima, Fez Mbatha and Ruan Dreyer dominating the scrums all night, backed by the…

Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx was at a loss for words when asked to describe what the back-to-back Rugby Championship titles means to the side. The double World Cup winner was at the centre of the Boks’ devastating scrum and commanding lineouts that provided the platform for the 29-27 victory. He also scored two crucial tries, one in the corner right after halftime, that brought South Africa back into the game. The score in the corner, off the back of a strong rolling, gave the world champions the lead for the first time in the game after trailing in the first forty. “It still feels surreal. I don’t know how to quite express my feelings,” Marx said after the win. “I am extremely grateful for everything that has happened over the…

KAIZER Chiefs are a club in a crisis. The drama surrounding the recent departure of coach Nasreddine Nabi has now escalated with Chiefs being dumped out of the Carling Knockout Cup by 10-man Stellenbosch FC 5-4 on penalties in dramatic circumstances at the DHL Stadium yesterday. Chiefs goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari, who was brought in for the in-form Brandon Petersen due to squad rotation, was called to be substituted moments before the penalty shootout with Bruce Bvuma on the touchline ready to come on. But Ntwari, in similar fashion to when former Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga infamously resisted Maurizio Sarri’s attempt to substitute him late in extra time of the English Carabao Cup final, refused assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef’s call. The blatant act of defiance saw Bvuma return to…

A new White Paper has outlined detailed plans for the development of the Port of Gauteng, a massive inland logistics hub designed to relieve pressure on South Africa’s congested Durban–Gauteng Freight Corridor and transform the country’s freight transport landscape. The document, released at the start of Transport Month, marks a key milestone for the R50 billion project — one of South Africa’s largest private-sector infrastructure initiatives. Developer Francois Nortje said the Port of Gauteng aims to become Africa’s most advanced inland trade gateway, addressing chronic inefficiencies in the national logistics system while creating more than 50 000 permanent jobs. “This premier trade gateway is set to transform Africa’s freight transport landscape by addressing critical inefficiencies in South Africa’s logistics system, while generating over 50 000 permanent employment opportunities and substantially…

The 4th Annual B Lab Africa Summit has heard that the continent is increasingly ready to take action to mitigate against climate change, provided solutions are African-led and tailored to local realities. Africa remains the continent hardest hit by the impacts of climate change despite contributing just 4% of global carbon emissions. Africa requires an estimated $277 billion annually until 2030 to implement climate solutions. Speaking during the Summit on Thursday, B Lab Africa CEO Lucy Muiga pointed to Africa’s youthful population, abundant natural resources, and entrepreneurial spirit as key assets in addressing the climate crisis. “Is Africa ready? Yes. Do we still have a long way to go? Yes, but the solutions for Africa are with Africans,” Muiga said. “The question before us is not whether Africa can rise…

Heavily subsidised sugar from countries including Brazil and India is currently displacing locally grown sugar from local suppliers, and this is putting thousands of South African jobs at risk. South African growers produce enough sugarcane that can be processed to supply all of our country’s sugar needs, but for every ton of imported sugar in South Africa, local growers lose a significant amount of income, threatening to lead to job losses and devastation in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal's rural economies. In just June and July this year, 90 000 tons of sugar were imported, leading to a loss of R684 million in revenue for the South African sugar industry. This means that local growers have less to invest in their operations, to pay wages, and to support their local rural communities.…

South Africa has now crossed more than 140 consecutive days without loadshedding. For many, this represents a reprieve, a breathing space after years of rolling blackouts that drained an estimated 3 percent of GDP annually and eroded investor confidence across every sector of the economy. It is also a signal to markets that reform and improvement are possible, though still fragile. Yet the Supreme Court of Appeal’s recent decision to overturn Eskom’s authorisation for a 3 000 MW gas plant at Richards Bay is a reminder that our energy future remains exposed. The court did not reject gas as an energy pathway. It rejected the procedural and governance shortcomings that shaped the project. This points directly to South Africa’s central dilemma: why, in a continent rich with gas reserves and…

Tharisa, the JSE and London stock exchange listed mining and metals company, said transitional capital for its dual underground development project over 10 terms would likely come to $547 million (R9.42 billion). The company said on Friday in an update of its underground mining expansion plans for its flagship Tharisa open-pit mine near Rustenburg, that this capital was expected to be financed by internal cash and external funding lines, utilising balance sheet flexibility. The update was provided as the basis for a presentation to investors on the day. “The phased approach to portal development enables early access to reef, with the bord and pillar design supporting safe, cost-effective ramp-up and long-term operational efficiency. As we continue to innovate with purpose, we are setting the benchmark for multiple generations to come,”…

For the first time, doctors have successfully treated Huntington’s disease, one of the most devastating genetic conditions known to medicine. Often described as a cruel combination of dementia, Parkinson’s, and motor neurone disease, Huntington’s gradually destroys brain cells, robs people of their independence, and ultimately proves fatal. Now, a pioneering gene therapy has offered patients a future once thought impossible. The trial, which involved 29 patients in Japan and Europe, showed that the new treatment slowed the progression of the disease by an average of 75%. In practical terms, the decline expected in just one year would instead take four. Researchers believe this could translate into decades of better quality life for those affected. The treatment The treatment involves highly complex neurosurgery lasting up to 18 hours. During the procedure,…

The long-standing legal wrangle between the ANC and Ezulweni Investments, a marketing company, is far from over after lawyers representing the company threatened to obtain writs of execution for the movable assets at the party’s provincial offices in a bid to recover a debt of over R85 million. This comes after the company’s legal representative, attorney Shafique Sarlie, obtained a writ of execution dated October 3, 2025, to attach the ANC's assets, including movable goods and incorporeal property, at Luthuli House, the ANC’s headquarters in Johannesburg. The writ, which was leaked in a social media post, has since been slammed by the ANC as an attempt to sensationalise the legal dispute between the two parties. The writ authorises the seizure of the incorporeal property, which refers to intangible assets, like…

A Russian cargo aircraft, which has been blacklisted by the US, and landed in Upington on Thursday was offloading transport general cargo, civilian helicopters and acrobatic aeroplanes, the Department of Transport confirmed yesterday. The aircraft belongs to Abakan Air, which was blacklisted by the US in June 2024, for transporting Russian military equipment and supporting Russia’s defence industrial base during its war against Ukraine. The landing of Abakan Air in South Africa has raised concerns that this could exacerbate the already prickly relationship between South Africa and the US. According to media reports, the Ilyushin IL-76 cargo aircraft landed heavily loaded before it was later spotted empty when it stopped for fuel at Lanseria Airport. The last recorded position on Flightrader24 (FR24) for the aircraft shows that before the…

Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke has made damning findings against the South African Post Office (SAPO) when it obtained yet another disclaimer of audit opinion for the sixth year during the 2024/25 financial year. This happened as the group recorded a net loss after tax of R117 million, and its revenue declined from R1.6 billion to R1.2 billion in its annual report. Maluleke was unable to express an opinion on the financial statements. “I was unable to obtain sufficient appropriate evidence to provide a basis for an audit opinion on these consolidated and separate financial statements,” she said. She blamed the sad state of finances on the accounting authority for not exercising adequate oversight regarding compliance and related internal controls. In her audit report tabled in Parliament this week, the A-G found:…

A group of South Africans detained in Israel after joining a Gaza-bound aid flotilla are safe, healthy and will soon be on their way home. The International relations and Co-operation department (Dirco) confirmed yesterday that its specialist team had met with the detainees at the Negev prison facility in Israel. Dirco spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said, “Today our specialist team met with the SA delegation at the Negev Israeli prison facility. “The delegation has confirmed the detainees are in good health and in high spirits. “The necessary procedures for their safe passage and return home to SA are advancing steadily.” The South Africans were among international activists aboard a flotilla carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza. The vessels were intercepted by Israeli forces on Thursday before reaching their destination. The flotilla, organised…

Decline of the ANC presents both a crisis and an opportunity The state of politics in South Africa today reflects profound disillusionment. As the next local government elections approach, the prevailing mood is one of fatigue and withdrawal. Voter apathy has deepened due to a growing perception that political participation has failed to yield tangible improvements in the quality of daily life. South Africans are not asking for grand transformations or utopian projects. We want running water, reliable electricity, punctual public transportation, clean streets, safe communities, a criminal justice system that is effective and incorruptible, and an economy that favours the poor and marginalised. These are the most fundamental functions of government. Yet, despite the significant increase in access to basic services over the past three decades, efficiency remains elusive…

Hugo Broos’s pre-weekend worries could well have been realised, with two of Bafana Bafana’s key players failing to complete their club matches. The silver-haired Belgian had openly expressed concerns ahead of the Carling Knockout first-round fixtures, even questioning the necessity of South Africa’s League Cup. “This has nothing to do with superstitions,” he said, laughing off suggestions about the final World Cup qualifier against Rwanda being at Mbombela Stadium – the site of the 2011 ‘Dance of Shame’ when Bafana celebrated qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations, only to later learn they had not qualified. “But I am worried because there are still games. Yes, the risk is there that on Saturday and Sunday we might have injured players.” Before Sunday’s matches, there were already two injury concerns. Orlando…

Zebre (12) 22 Tries: Bautista Staville, Matteo Nocero (2); Conversions: Roger Farias (2); Penalty: Farias Lions (3) 20 Tries: SK Kotze, Eduan Keyter, Morne Brandon; Penalty: Chris Smit; Conversion: Smit The Lions slumped towards the bottom of the United Rugby Championship points table yesterday when they lost to the team that usually occupies that sad position – Zebre – who snatched a 22-20 win in Parma. The Lions lost 33-20 to Cardiff last week, and this latest result means they have now lost three matches in a row, going back to the Currie Cup final defeat to Griquas. Last year, the Lions started strongly in the URC before losing their way and failing to qualify for the play-offs – something they have never achieved. So is this to be another…

The feisty relationship between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris came to a head at the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday, overshadowing McLaren clinching their second consecutive constructors’ championship. Piastri was left fuming after Norris made a superb start from fifth on the grid and forced his way past in the opening complex of bends. Sparks flew as the McLaren teammates collided wheel to wheel, with Norris going on to finish third and Piastri fourth. “So, are we cool with Lando just barging me out of the way there?” Piastri complained on his team radio. Norris denied he had been too aggressive in an incident that could have put both cars out of the race. “I think if you fault me for putting my car on the inside of a big…

Major poultry producer Astral Foods has welcomed the Competition Commission’s Poultry Market Inquiry (PMI), saying it provides an important opportunity for constructive engagement on the structure and competitiveness of South Africa’s poultry value chain. In a statement on Friday, the JSE-listed company said it supported the inquiry’s objectives and would use the platform to highlight the role of integrated poultry production in strengthening food security and driving sustainable employment. Astral emphasised that the PMI “is not an investigation into anti-competitive behaviour,” but rather an assessment of how the market functions and whether any structural issues distort competition. "Astral will, as a listed poultry producer, engage constructively with the inquiry process. Astral will also participate as a member of the industry body, SAPA," said CEO Gary Arnold. "Astral will continue to…

The Department of Agriculture (DoA) has announced that all pesticide registration applications will move to a fully digital system by April 2026, marking a major step in modernising agricultural regulation and improving efficiency across the sector. In a statement last week, the department said the transition follows years of preparation to replace the manual, paper-based registration system that has long frustrated applicants seeking approval for products such as insecticides, herbicides, nematicides, and rodenticides. The registration and sale of these products are governed by the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act No. 36 of 1947), which requires the department to assess, register, and monitor all agricultural remedies used in South Africa. “Previously, applicants had to travel to DoA offices to file paperwork manually, a lengthy and…

South African financial markets had one of their most positive months since Covid last month. The uncertainty in the US due to surging inflation against unemployment that remain under pressure not only boosted precious metal prices, the Rand and bonds, but also increased the expectations of another US rate with the expected US non-farm payrolls that was to be published on Friday. The All Share index on the JSE recorded record levels for four consecutive weeks up to October 3, 2025. Last week the index increased by 3 008 points, or 2.9%, breaking easily through the 108 000 and 109 000 levels for the first time, testing the 110 000 level at the close (109 778). From the beginning of the year the index is up by 28.5%. All the…

Africa’s oil and gas industry could be entering a new era of exploration, underpinned by breakthroughs in seismic imaging, enhanced subsurface datasets, and faster permitting processes, according to experts speaking at Africa Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 in Cape Town. Emmanuelle Garinet, Vice President of Exploration Africa at TotalEnergies, said advances in seismic and subsurface technologies were transforming the continent’s exploration outlook, particularly in frontier basins such as Namibia. “When we decided to drill the Venus well, it was frontier, but we had a probability of success of more than 50% because of the seismic data and direct hydrocarbon indicators,” Garinet said. She noted that Namibia’s success illustrates how modern data tools can reduce exploration risk and unlock new hydrocarbon provinces. In the Republic of Congo, she…

Most Nigerian leather, often semi-finished, is exported to Europe and Asia and turned into luxury items bearing international brand labels, with zero trace of its origins. But with her homegrown brand, Isi Omiyi creates high-end pieces to try to reclaim Nigeria's leather identity. In her apartment in the Lagos metropolis, she has created a boutique corner where bags, wallets and shoes are carefully displayed on shelves, some carrying price tags of up to $1 500. "Leather is part of our heritage. I can't just stand by and watch others receive all the credit for work that we started here," the 56-year-old designer said. Her mission is to amplify "Made In Nigeria" craftsmanship. She "would like these foreign brands to indicate on their products: 'originally from Nigeria' and 'made in Italy',…

Every October, pink ribbons remind us that breast cancer is not just another headline; it’s a reality that touches countless South African families. Breast Cancer Awareness Month isn’t just about wearing pink; it’s about spreading knowledge, breaking stigma, and saving lives. And in a country where 1 in 27 women will be diagnosed in their lifetime, according to the National Cancer Registry, the message is simple: early detection matters. “Breast cancer is far more treatable when it’s found early,” says Dr Salomine Theron, a radiologist and the head of the Tygervalley Mammography Centre. “Please don’t wait until you notice a lump or pain, book your screening and talk to your doctor. It’s one of the simplest, most powerful steps you can take to protect your health.” The reality of breast…

The Springboks return to South Africa today as Rugby Championship winners for the second year in a row, thanks to an unshakeable belief that they will win matches, according to captain Siya Kolisi. The Boks beat Argentina 29-27 in London at the weekend to win a tournament that started badly for the South Africans. “After the way we started (with a shock loss to Australia at Ellis Park), you would not have said we would be here now with the trophy,” Kolisi smiled. “But the belief we have in ourselves is because of what coach Rassie (Erasmus) has instilled into this team. The mindset he has created means you don’t feel in any moment that you are going to lose.” Kolisi and his teammates are the first Springboks to win…

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has welcomed the Office of the Tax Ombudsman’s (OTO) draft report on alleged cases of eFiling profile hijacking, assuring taxpayers that it has already been working on many of the recommendations raised. The draft report, released for public comment this week, highlights concerns over compromised eFiling profiles and the risks they pose to taxpayers. The report revealed incidents where taxpayers’ security details were altered, bank account information was manipulated, and fraudulent tax returns were submitted to generate refunds that were directed to the fraudsters. While acknowledging the findings, SARS emphasised that most of the proposals align with its ongoing modernisation drive. “SARS remains committed to strengthening the critical areas that have been highlighted. These include enhancing its authentication protocols, improving fraud-risk detection, optimising refund-verification…

Build One SA (BOSA), the GOOD Party, and RISE Mzansi have announced their unification under a single banner, Unite for Change — a new political party aiming to transform South African politics ahead of the 2026 local government elections. The three parties, once operating separately, said they have now joined forces to offer voters an alternative to the status quo. In an announcement yesterday in Johannesburg, Unite for Change promised “one name, one platform, and one purpose” and will contest the 2026 municipal elections as a unified movement. The new party will be registered with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) and is actively welcoming like-minded political parties, civil society groups, and individuals to join the initiative. “This is not a coalition of convenience,” the founding statement reads. According…

WHEN South Africans hear Big 5, we picture elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards, and buffalo, famous safari animals. But a different “Big 5” has just emerged, thanks to testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. Instead of pride and tourism, this new Big 5 brings fear, corruption, and violence. The group called the Big 5 Cartel, allegedly led by Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and Katiso “KT” Molefe, doesn’t operate in a wildlife reserve. Instead, it operates across government tender boards, WhatsApp messages, and political circles. Three other senior members remain unnamed, but evidence suggests their involvement in a network of crime stretching from Gauteng to KwaZulu-Natal and beyond. According to Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo, head of SAPS Crime Intelligence, this isn’t your ordinary gang. The cartel operates like a diversified company. Its product…

While the Springboks clinched back-to-back Rugby Championship titles for the first time on Saturday afternoon at Twickenham in London, the way they scraped through against Argentina shows there’s still plenty of work to be done. Despite losing two games in the tournament, they held their nerve at Twickenham to beat Argentina 29-27, making history under head coach Rassie Erasmus. Thanks to their powerful scrum and rolling mauls, the Boks found their attacking rhythm in the second half, scoring three tries to take the game away from the Pumas. A desperately needed try was also rounded off late in the first half to kick-start the Boks’ fightback. Erasmus stated that while they were pleased with the victory and reaffirming their position in the southern hemisphere, they recognise that hard work lies…

Legendary Blue Bulls flyhalf Naas Botha famously said: “The Currie Cup isn’t won in May.” Equally ,World Cups aren’t lost in the opening game, ask Argentina’s football maestro Lionel Messi, which is why the Proteas Women’s team will attempt to move on quickly from their embarrassing tournament opener when they face New Zealand in Indore on Monday. If there are any positives to take from being bowled out for a record-low 69, before being thrashed by 10 wickets with 215 balls remaining, is the simple fact that it can’t get any worse. “I think because it’s such a long tournament, I think for us as a team and also as a batting unit, it’s just to accept what has happened,” said Proteas wicket-keeper Sinalo Jafta, who was the only Proteas…

Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi played down talk of his side being among the favourites for the Carling Knockout Cup after their emphatic victory over Sekhukhune United at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday. The result booked Abafana Bes’thende a spot in the quarter-finals, marking their third successive win in all competitions and extending a run of impressive form that has seen them climb up the Betway Premiership table. Following a shaky start, Abafana Besthende are now eight on the league standings and have destroyed one of the division’s most in form sides in Babina Noko. But true to his measured nature, Mngqithi refused to get carried away, insisting that his team is still in a delicate phase of development despite the growing confidence and consistency within the camp.…