Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-10-15 i Cape Times

Ratings agencies Moody’s and GCR Ratings say a positive trend is emerging in South Africa’s economic growth trajectory, with both agencies maintaining a stable outlook as reforms begin to show progress and fiscal discipline continues to hold. At a joint media briefing on Tuesday, Evan Wohlmann, vice president and senior credit officer at Moody’s, said the agency expects real GDP growth to improve to around 1.6% in 2026, supported by gradual structural reforms — particularly in the logistics sector. “There has been some notable structural reform progress. Our baseline expects reform progress particularly on logistics to continue, but the extent of private investment in new logistics infrastructure is unlikely to be sufficient to materially raise growth potential beyond 2%,” he said. Wohlmann added that while friction within the Government of…

South Africa’s business confidence continued to improve in September, boosted by stronger financial market performance, rising commodity prices, and higher export volumes, according to the latest South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) Business Confidence Index (BCI) released on Tuesday. The BCI climbed 1.1 points month-on-month and 10.9 points year-on-year to reach 121.1 in September 2025, reflecting a notable rebound in sentiment after a dip earlier this year. SACCI said the recovery followed a sharp decline in confidence from 125.8 in February to 113.2 in June, which has since been “partly reclaimed” through steady improvements in August (120.0) and September (121.1). “In the short term, the broad financial climate supported positive business sentiment, while real economic activity was fairly stable but with negative elements,” Sacci said. “Over the medium…

Climate change adaptation refers to the plans, measures and actions that we take to adapt to the impacts of a warming world. These impacts include increased drought and reduced soil moisture, extreme heat events, intensified rainfall, sea-level rise, which in turn multiply risks to food and water security, thus resulting in economic distress well suitable to ignite civil unrest arising from the scramble for shrinking resources. Many of these impacts are already ‘baked in’ regardless of how well we mitigate by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Done well, climate adaptation can help to protect society and the economy from these impacts. If we continue to under-invest in adaptation, we will pay an increasingly high price for the unmanaged consequences. Limited resources in an unfolding crisis Currently there is an…

Seriti Green, a black-owned South African renewable energy company, on Tuesday announced that it has achieved financial close and commenced construction on the third phase of its flagship Ummbila Emoyeni wind farm in Mpumalanga. The project will ultimately deliver over 900 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity across seven phases. The company has already installed 25 wind turbines near Bethal, Davel and Morgenzon. Seriti Green said in a statement, "This marks a major milestone in South Africa’s Just Energy Transition (JET), with Seriti Green leading delivery at scale from the heart of the country’s traditional coal region. With turbines in the ground and thousands of people gaining skills and employment, the Just Energy Transition is no longer theoretical but in action." Seriti Green has successfully closed three 155MW phases…

PUBLIC Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka has weighed in on the Tembisa Hospital looting saga, saying her office had previously investigated the irregular appointment of the hospital’s CEO and found the process unlawful, which led to the official’s removal. “In that case, we found that the appointment was not in line with legal and policy prescripts. These irregular appointments often lead to maladministration and ultimately corruption,” she said. “When people want to commit corruption, they put in place people they know will execute those actions. That is a pattern we continue to see.” Gcaleka said her office would continue to work with institutions such as the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Asset Forfeiture Unit to address systemic corruption. “Corruption is an ecosystem; it is not a singular act,” she said.…

DISCRIMINATORY hiring practices, ailing infrastructure and severe staff shortages are some of the urgent issues the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has flagged following its oversight visit in some Free State schools. Committee chairperson Joy Maimela said it was “unfair” that the school language policy allowed for Grade four to 12 learners to be taught only in Afrikaans and English in the Lejweleputswa district while other languages were used for teaching in the lower grades one to three. “This means that learners whose mother tongue is Afrikaans are more privileged than the other children in these schools. We do not have a problem with Afrikaans, but we say all languages must be treated equally,” she said. A lack of black African teachers at Orion Special School also raised concerns about…

IN A shocking twist, police found two women in the boot of a hijacked City of Cape Town law enforcement vehicle. This was revealed as three men accused of the murder of Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officer Yonke Pakade made their first appearance in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Thandolwethu Toto, 21, Asemahle Pama, 20 and Asavela Ndamase, 20, made a brief appearance in front of a packed court, including the Pakade family, law enforcement, traffic and metro police officers. The suspects face charges of murder common purpose, robbery with aggravating circumstances, theft, as well as two counts of kidnapping. The court heard that the faces of the accused cannot be shown as a fourth suspect is outstanding and it could jeopardise the case. Pakade, 26, was hijacked,…

Arsenal have a great opportunity to cement their new-found status as English Premier League title favourites when league action resumes, with closest challengers Liverpool facing an extremely challenging run in their next five fixtures. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners face a trip to Fulham next up on Saturday, which will be followed by league matches against Crystal Palace at home, Burnley away, Sunderland away and a derby against Tottenham at home. Arsenal will have a point to prove, especially in the first two matches, having dropped points against Fulham and Palace last season in finishing a distant second behind Liverpool. Arteta’s side have momentum on their side, though, and demonstrated that they are a different beast this season with wins over Newcastle and West Ham that also avenged blips from last season.…

BAFANA BAFANA 3 (2) Mbatha 6’, Appollis 25’, Makgopa 73’ RWANDA 0 In the heartbeat of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit, the sun shone brightly on Hugo Broos and his Bafana Bafana boys as they successfully knocked on God’s window to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Bafana beat Rwanda 3-0 to reach the promised land – automatically qualifying for the first time since 2002 – after finishing top of Group C, thanks to goals from Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis and Evidence Makgopa. The victory was also made possible by an unexpected source – Nigeria, who beat Benin 4-0 on home soil, dethroning them from the No 1 spot in Group C. With this region of the country also boasting the Big Five, Broos and Bafana deserved to feast on the buffalo…

Gold prices have continued their record-breaking rally, driven by sustained buying from central banks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), even as South Africa’s domestic gold output continues to shrink under rising production costs and regulatory pressures. Data from StatsSA on Tuesday showed SA’s gold production slumping by 3.6% year-on-year in August, marking the second consecutive monthly decline following a 0.4% drop in the previous month. However, gold prices have rallied to levels around $4 141 per ounce despite a stronger dollar amid a looming trade war with China, a government shutdown in the US and global economic growth uncertainty. John Meyer, an analyst with UK-based advisory firm SP Angel, said on Tuesday that gold prices have “pressed higher again, climbing past record highs on sustained buying from ETFs and central bank”…

The world is entering a new energy era, one defined by technological mastery. In this emerging reality, the countries that lead will not be those with the largest fossil fuel reserves, it will be those that can produce, store, and use electricity efficiently across every sector of their economies. This is the beginning of the age of electrotech and the rise of what can be called the electro-state. An electro-state is a nation whose economy runs primarily on electricity-based technologies rather than on fossil fuels. The shift toward this model is neither ideological nor optional. It is structural, economic, and inevitable. It represents the point where physics, economics, and geopolitics intersect. This transformation is driven by technologies that make it possible for electricity itself to be classified as primary energy.…

Tharisa, the mining company dual-JSE and London Stock Exchange listed mining company reported a strong fourth quarter performance after higher mining, milling, grade and recovery metrics boosted chrome and platinum production. PGM production increased by 19.7% to 41.3 koz (thousand ounces) in its fourth quarter to September 30, 2025, compared to the third quarter, a report from the company released Tuesday showed. Fourth quarter chrome production was up 2.9% to 407.2 kt (kilotons) over the third quarter. PGM production for the year came to 138.3 koz from 145.1 koz at the same time last year. Chrome production for the year came to 1 558.2 kt versus 1 702.6 kt a year before. "We closed the year on a strong note, delivering robust production results in the final quarter. This performance…

KWAZULU-NATAL head of the Hawks, Major-General Lesetja Senona has been accused of having a close and beneficial relationship with a known criminal implicated in serious crimes, including attempted murder and corruption. This came to light when the first in-camera witness testified before the Madlanga Commission yesterday. Witness X continued from where the divisional commissioner of Crime Intelligence, Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, left off before he fell ill at the Madlanga Commission. In his testemony on September 29 and 30, Khumalo delivered evidence and set out that he would deliver chats between individuals — Brown Mogotsi, Senona, Brigadier Julius Mkhawanazi (Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department [EMPD] chief), investigator Calvin Rafadi, and businessman Suleiman Carrim. Witness X’s testimony on behalf of Khumalo was based on WhatsApp conversations on December 22, 2024…

fugitive and jailed organised crime boss Radovan Krejčíř faced a dilemma as the court earlier granted him permission to use his laptop in his cell for study purposes, but he cannot charge the device overnight, as he has no plug point in his cell. Krejčíř told the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, that correctional services are refusing to allow him to charge his laptop via an extension cord to an electrical device outside his cell. The department offered to charge his laptop overnight and give it back to him the next morning, but Krejčíř is refusing this offer. He explained that he had signed an indemnity agreement with the department that he will not hold it responsible if anything happened to his laptop. He was earlier given the green light to…

Proteas Women aim for perfection in World Cup The Proteas women have won three consecutive matches in the ongoing ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, having beaten New Zealand, hosts India and recently Bangladesh as they recovered impressively from the embarrassing loss to England in the first match of the tournament. Though coach Mandla Mashimbyi’s side has been successful, there are still quite a number of concerns about their performances. Too often, the team unnecessarily complicate matters making what should be easy games to win into close encounters. In the match against Bangladesh earlier this week, South Africa had them 78/5 in the 23rd over, but allowed them back into the game as the subcontinent team ended up setting 233 runs as a target. Chloe Tryon’s 60-odd was key to the…

“The good die young” is something we often hear these days. But nothing could have prepared me for the shock news of the passing of 42-year-old Cape Town-born rugby coach Warren Abrahams on Friday night. Rugby has lost one of its most vibrant and dedicated coaches after Abrahams collapsed next to the field at the Safari Sevens tournament in Nairobi, Kenya, while in charge of the Belgium Women’s sevens team. His death came as a huge shock to the rugby community. In response, the Belgian Rugby Federation withdrew their team from the tournament and announced immediate support for players and staff as they dealt with the loss. Abrahams had joined the Belgium Women’s sevens team as head coach in recent years, bringing with him a wealth of experience gained through…

Stellenbosch FC will return to the CAF Confederations Cup this weekend, travelling to Equatorial Guinea to face 15 de Agosto FC at the Ebebiyin Stadium on Saturday. The Cape Winelands side make their entrance in the second preliminary round after reaching the last four of last season's competition, where a narrow 1-0 aggregate loss to Simba FC denied them the chance to extend their impressive continental run. With this marking their second consecutive season in Africa’s secondary premier competition, the Maroons progress on the continental stage has been undeniable, demonstrating their growth and ambition despite being a relatively young club in top-flight football. However, the team heads into this weekend’s clash following a tough start to their league campaign. After nine matches, they have claimed only a single victory and…

IMF’s October 2025 World Economic Outlook shows that growth is expected to hold at 1.2% in 2026 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has slightly upgraded South Africa’s economy by 0.1 percentage points to 1.1% in 2025, up from a previous forecast of 1% projected in April, and up slightly from 0.5% in 2024. The IMF's October 2025 World Economic Outlook (WEO) released on Tuesday showed that growth is also expected to hold at 1.2% in 2026, signaling a slow and uneven recovery as global and domestic constraints weigh on output. The IMF’s forecast underscored the country’s fragile momentum within a volatile international environment marked by rising trade barriers, weaker global demand, and tightening fiscal positions across developing economies. While power supply stability improved following reforms at Eskom and new renewable…

South Africa is navigating an energy challenge characterised by intermittent load reduction/shedding, ageing infrastructure and limited generation capacity. The country also faces a transmission backlog that affects the seamless integration of renewable energy sources. Addressing these issues is essential for fostering economic growth and enhancing investor confidence. Although new renewable generation capacity is being developed, the current transmission infrastructure may not fully support the connection of these sources to the national grid or adequately deliver power to areas of high demand. As such, limitations within the transmission grid present an important consideration in efforts to expand generation capacity. This is where the Independent Transmission Projects (ITPs) become essential, unlocking private sector investment to accelerate the expansion of South Africa’s transmission network and enable the integration of new generation sources. The…

South Africa will host the first-ever G20 Summit on the African continent in Johannesburg in November, amid unprecedented geopolitical and economic turmoil. The threat by the leader of the most powerful country in the world, US President Donald Trump, to boycott the summit may be a bit of a downer, but Pretoria is determined to host a successful event and will be banking on support from India, Brazil and other BRICS countries to achieve the goals set out for this year’s summit. Both India, which hosted the 2023 G20 Summit, and Brazil, which was the host country in 2024, not only share South Africa’s economic aspirations for the developing world and the Global South, but all three countries are also bearing the brunt of some of the harshest US tariffs…

Bytes Technology Group’s share price slumped over 10% on the JSE Tuesday after it reported a 7% drop in operating profit as it navigated changes to Microsoft partner incentives and adjusted to a new sales structure. The share price slumped even though the UK software, security, cloud and AI services group raised its interim dividend by 3.2% to 3.2 pence. The share price traded at R85.30 around midday, a price also 22.6% lower than the R110.16 it traded at a year ago. The London Stock Exchange-listed company with a secondary listing in South Africa said headline earnings (HEPS) a share fell 5.1% in the six months to August 31 to 12.03 cents from 12.67 cents at the same time last year. Gross invoiced income (GII) increased 9.1% to £1.34 billion,…

SUSPENDED SAPS National Deputy Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya was not concerned that a civilian, controversial North West businessman Brown Mogotsi, was in possession of crime intelligence information. Mogotsi has been implicated in the alleged unlawful interference at the South African Police Service (SAPS). He has been a central figure during the Madlanga Commission’s early testimony, with multiple witnesses pointing to his proximity to high ranking SAPS officials, being an information peddler and his alleged role in corrupting the integrity of law enforcement. Sibiya was testifying before Parliament’s ad hoc committee when he was asked about Mogotsi, who he knew as an ANC activist from North West. He said he had informed national police commissioner Fannie Masemola about Mogotsi’s “strange calls” telling him to be careful about the Crime…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa’s change of tune about knowing one of the alleged Tembisa Hospital looting syndicates leaders Hangwani Maumela, has ignited calls for him to be investigated. Ramaphosa, answering questions from Members of Parliament at the National Council of Provinces, acknowledged his acquaintance with Maumela, explaining that their connection stemmed from a past marriage to Maumela’s aunt, which ended 43 years ago. He initially denied knowing Maumela in 2022 (in response to a question from DA leader John Steenhuisen), a claim he now attributes to not having “encountered him and I had never seen him and that was gospel truth.” He again denied knowing him on Sunday, saying the video showing him next to Maumela’s mansion was coincidental. However, he has confirmed seeing Maumela during morning walks in his (Sandton)…

SUSPENDED banker Raed Cupido claims that his constitutional rights were infringed after cops nabbed him with cocaine worth R18 million. Cupido and co-accused Christopher Carelse recently returned to the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court where Cupido presented a new bail application. Cupido will learn his fate on Friday after both accused were denied bail two months ago. Cupido was arrested on June 10 over 15 bricks of cocaine worth an estimated street value of R18 million, an AK-103 Rifle, Uzi Pro Rifle, five semi-automatic firearms and 130 rounds of ammunition inside a storage unit in Roeland Street. Meanwhile, Carelse is alleged to be his accomplice, with the State claiming that they are so-called “first receivers” of drugs being smuggled into the Cape. Cupido allegedly rented unit 869 while Carelse rented…

Christian Horner’s abrupt departure from Red Bull earlier this year left one of the most powerful figures in modern Formula 1 on the sidelines. After nearly two decades at the helm, building the Milton Keynes squad into a dynasty, speculation has only intensified about whether – and where – Horner could make a sensational return to the sport. The rumours have been wide- ranging, touching almost every corner of the paddock. From Ferrari to Haas, and even whispers of a fresh ownership project, Horner’s name is being floated with increasing seriousness. The key question remains: who has the need and the appetite for Horner’s brand of leadership? Ferrari? Ferrari have endured another torrid season under Fred Vasseur, with a string of strategic blunders, poor tyre management and disappointing race pace…

The Stormers boast the meanest defence in the United Rugby Championship after the first three rounds of league action. They managed to keep defending champions Leinster scoreless in their opening game and repeated the feat in last weekend’s match against the Scarlets in Wales. The only points they have conceded so far this season came in their second match against the Ospreys, when they recorded a 26-10 victory at home at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town. The Stormers pride themselves on big hits and lightning speed off the line, smashing opposition ball carriers with force. But much of their defensive success starts before they rush off the line — with the unseen graft at the breakdown. Their work at the defensive ruck has been central to their success, with…