Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-03-10 i Mercury

The DA expresses grave concern over the systemic lack of transparency surrounding negotiated pricing agreements (NPAs) between Eskom, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), and intensive energy users, because a recent report to Parliament shows that only 82.7% of Eskom customers are billed full price, but these 82.7% make up 91.5% of Eskom’s revenue. Large industrial users consume vast amounts of electricity at preferential rates, while South Africans in their homes and businesses face every-increasing electricity tariffs and relentless load shedding. Despite repeated calls for transparency, Eskom continues to conceal the critical details of its agreements to charge intensive energy users and neighbouring countries a much lower tariff than South African homes and businesses. Eskom’s failure to disclose the revenue generated from these agreements raises questions about whether…

PRESIDENT Donald Trump says he’s never heard of Lesotho and in fact nobody has ever heard of it. Addressing the US Congress, he said: “$8 million to promote LGBTQI+ in the African nation of Lesotho, which nobody has ever heard of!” eliciting laughter from some US lawmakers, according to the BBC. Lesotho’s government says it is shocked. A spokesperson for Lesotho’s Foreign Affairs Department said Lesotho enjoys “warm and cordial” relations with the US. Lesotho is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the US’s African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa),which gives favourable trade access to some countries to promote their economic growth. According to the US government, the two countries traded goods worth $240 million in 2024, mostly exports from Lesotho to the US, in particular textiles and clothing. Lesotho’s…

Leaders of some of the major municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal have come under fire for failing to improve their audit outcomes. The Auditor General of South Africa, Tsakani Maluleke, has warned that some of these outcomes reflect a failure by leaders to build capable institutions. The Auditor General detailed this while tabling her report on the municipal outcomes for the 2023-2024 audit at the provincial legislature. Maluleke said many municipalities had received unqualified or unqualified with findings audit opinions, which is a short step from a regressive qualified audit opinion. She noted that many municipalities have remained in this space for a long time and have become complacent. Among those in this category are the eThekwini Municipality, the Msunduzi Local Municipality, and the Ugu District Municipality, as well as KwaDukuza,…

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has expressed sadness over the murder of community activist Pamela Mabini, who played a vital role in supporting victims in the Timothy Omotoso rape and trafficking case. Omotoso, who pleaded not guilty to the charges along with his co-accused, will hear his fate when judgment is handed down in April. The whistle-blower was shot dead in her vehicle in the driveway of her home in KwaZakhele, Gqeberha on Friday. Kubayi’s spokesperson, Terrence Manase, said the minister condemned the killing of anyone, particularly those who assist the courts and support victims of crime. “The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development remains committed to ensuring the safety of court users, court officials, presiding officers, community activists, witnesses, and whistle-blowers,” said Manase. He said efforts…

The ongoing problems at Ithala Bank have led to some food suppliers being unable to deliver food to several schools in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. The uMngeni Municipality in Howick revealed that it was forced to use its own funds to buy food for pupils in its areas to prevent children from going hungry. This food purchase will serve as a stop-gap measure to ensure that pupils have meals this week. On Friday, uMngeni mayor Chris Pappas and the DA spokesperson on Education, Sakhile Mngadi, visited several schools in the Midlands that have not received their supplies under the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP). The DA stated that the failure to deliver food resulted from challenges faced by Ithala Bank. The Mercury has previously reported that the bank played a crucial…

Gaza City: Israel carried out an air strike on militants in northern Gaza yesterday, rattling a fragile ceasefire as it prepared for fresh talks in Doha on the future of its truce with Hamas. Despite the end of the truce’s initial phase a week ago, both sides have refrained from returning to all-out war, although there have been sporadic episodes of violence. Yesterday’s air strike was the latest of daily strikes reported by Israel since Thursday. Representatives of Palestinian group Hamas met mediators in Cairo at the weekend, emphasising the urgent need to resume humanitarian aid deliveries to the territory “without restrictions or conditions”, a Hamas statement said.…

Trade tensions between the world’s two leading economies are set to escalate today, as Beijing begins levying tariffs on certain US agricultural goods in retaliation for President Donald Trump’s latest hike on Chinese imports. Since retaking office in January, Trump has unleashed a barrage of tariffs on major US trading partners, including China, Canada and Mexico, citing their failure to stop illegal immigration and flows of deadly fentanyl. After imposing a blanket 10% tariff on all Chinese goods in early February, Trump hiked the rate to 20% last week. Beijing reacted quickly, its finance ministry accusing Washington of “undermining” the multilateral trading system and announcing fresh measures of its own. The moves will see fresh tariffs of 10 and 15% imposed on several US farm products, starting today. Chicken, wheat,…

Canada’s ruling Liberal Party was deciding on a new leader yesterday, after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in January that he intended to step down. Here are the top contenders. Former Bank Of Canada Governor Mark Carney Carney, 59, is the only major candidate who is not part of the Trudeau government. Carney’s name has been circulating for years as a potential Liberal leader, largely thanks to his financial credentials. He has cast himself as an outsider who was not part of Trudeau’s unpopular government and said he wanted to focus on the struggling economy. Carney worked for Goldman Sachs before joining the Canadian finance ministry in 2004. He was named Bank of Canada governor in 2007 and quickly had to deal with the after-effects of the global financial crisis…

LONDON: US President Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland has been daubed with pro-Palestinian graffiti, with a protest group claiming responsibility. Local media showed images of red paint scrawled across walls at the course with the slogans “Free Gaza” and “Free Palestine” as well as insults against Trump. “Gaza is not for sale” was also painted on one of the greens and holes dug up on the course. Palestine Action said it was responsible, posting on X: “Whilst Trump attempts to treat Gaza as his property, he should know his own property is within reach.”…

The South African sides are sitting pretty in the United Rugby Championship (URC) with three of the four franchises in the nockout spots as the competition heads into the final stretch. The Bulls (third), Sharks (fourth) and Lions (eighth) will have a week’s break to strategise ahead of the final six rounds to figure out how they will stay amongst the Top 8 of the tournament. For the Stormers, currently 12th on the URC log, a tough two-match overseas tour awaits in a fortnight. Although they are currently out of the play-off spots by only one point, how they fare overseas will quite possibly shape their run into the final four home games. Loftus Versfeld will welcome Leinster to Pretoria in two weeks, and the Bulls will be hopeful it’s…

We’ve all been there caught in the heat of an argument with a loved one. Your heart is racing, your emotions are boiling over and before you know it, words spill out that you can’t take back. Maybe it’s a sharp remark, an accusation or a decision made in anger. Later, when the storm settles, regret creeps in. In moments of anger or frustration, our instinct is often to defend ourselves, prove a point or retaliate. But what if I told you that one simple practice, the 24-hour rule, could stop unnecessary fights, prevent emotional wounds and strengthen your relationship? The 24-hour rule is a conscious decision to pause for a full day before reacting to a conflict. It’s like pressing a “reset button” that allows you to process your…

Losing an animal companion can be deeply heartbreaking and many people struggle to grieve. The bond between humans and their pets is profound, often equating to that of a family member. When a beloved animal approaches the end of its life, the emotional toll can be overwhelming. Recognising the need for compassionate support during these challenging times, the role of the pet doula has emerged, offering guidance and comfort to both pets and their owners. A pet doula provides emotional, physical, and spiritual support to pets and their families before, during, and after the animal's passing. Their goal is to ensure a peaceful transition, honouring the pet's life and easing the grief of those left behind. Services can include creating a plan for comfort, assisting during the transition, and offering…

IN A BID to seek relevance on the back of South Africa’s water crisis, MK Party member of Parliament, Visvin Reddy, has splashed cold water in the face of thirsty and drought-ridden citizens. Like the careful timing of the opening of a dam’s floodgates – that plays to filming spectators – Reddy’s “Pemmy must go” performance was stone-dry at best. Just as a tap is opened when there is no water, in the hope that something might happen, the MK Party keeps parading this screaming parliamentarian in a parade of the horrible. Reddy, who chaired the procurement and infrastructure cluster at the eThekwini Municipality council and sat on the then uMngeni Water board, understands best that ward-based water issues are not the headache of the national department of Water and…

All-night heat can keep me awake but it seldom does here in southern Africa. I love it. “Moving air” disturbs my sleep and so I very seldom use a fan or air-conditioner. Last night I awoke when my son sent me a text at 3am Namibian time. “Still at work,” he wrote, “and it’s snowing. Again. Dad, it’s been snowing so much. I am using your car. Mine slides.” Reporting this to a Namibian-born friend, he said he’d love to switch weathers. “I think I would love the cold and the snow,” he said. Right then the man confirmed my suspicions that he had never seen snow or had to endure its multiple inconveniences. I knew he’d not been awoken in the night with a pipe burst – at least…

The government has acknowledged that thousands of employers are flouting the Pension Fund Act by failing to make mandatory contributions for their employees’ pensions. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi recently responded to parliamentary queries, laying bare the disturbingly low rate of prosecutions against those culpable of this financial misconduct. As of December 2023, a staggering 12 600 employers were reported to have contravened the Pension Fund Act by neglecting to remit pension contributions, yet only four employers who withheld pension fund contributions were prosecuted since 2019. The Pension Fund Act imposes a statutory obligation on employers to deduct pension fund contributions on a monthly basis from employees and pay the contributions to the relevant fund. Those that fail to comply are guilty of an offence and…

A 21-year-old Zimbabwean man has been arrested in connection with the sale of explosives illegally in the North West. This follows a surge in cash-in-transit heists with over 200 such robberies recorded last year, killing three bystanders and injuring 13, according to the Cash-In-Transit Association of SA (Citasa). ATM bombings have also been on the rise, particularly in Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the North West, as have illegal mining activities. According to the police, after receiving information that the man was selling explosives, members of the National Intervention Unit (NIU) pursued the man and a chase ensued, leading to his arrest near a shopping mall. Officers found a variety of explosives inside his vehicle, including 30 blasting cartridges, capped fuses and 50 metres of detonating cord. Investigations showed that these…

A little over two months into 2025 and KwaZulu-Natal is already emerging as the highest-risk province in relation to cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies. More than 200 CIT robberies were recorded in 2024, with 27% of those in KZN, followed by Gauteng (25%), the Eastern Cape (21%), Mpumalanga (8%), Western Cape and North West (6% respectively), Free State (5%), and Limpopo (2%), the Cash-In-Transit Association in South Africa (Citasa) revealed. Since the start of March, KZN has reported at least four cash-in-transit robberies. Citasa’s incident and analytics manager, Dr Alice Maree, said the provincial distribution for CIT robberies until March 6 is: “KZN is the highest risk province with 34% of the robberies, followed by Gauteng (24%), Eastern Cape (13%), North West (11%), Western Cape (8%), Limpopo (5%), and Mpumalanga (5%).” “The…

In the face of mounting international scrutiny, particularly from the likes of US President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, South Africa stands at a crossroads. The government’s contemplated visit to the US to engage these influential figures over their misguided assertions regarding land reform and black economic empowerment (BEE) policies could prove not only futile but also deeply humiliating. Trump's insistence on framing South Africa’s land reform policies as widespread confiscation of white-owned farms is an unfounded narrative that has been bolstered by the relentless campaigns of organisations such as AfriForum and Solidarity. These groups have leveraged platforms that still carry significant weight, manipulating public perception by presenting incomplete truths about our nation and its policy intentions. Musk’s endorsement of these narratives on social media only further amplifies misinformation…

Tehran: The navies of Iran, Russia and China will hold military drills off the coast of Iran this week in a bid to boost co-operation, Iranian media reported yesterday. The three countries, which share a common desire to counter what they characterise as American hegemony, have held similar exercises in the region in recent years. The exercises will take place “in the northern Indian Ocean” and aim to “strengthen security in the region, and expand multilateral co-operation between participating countries”, the Tasnim news agency said, without specifying their duration.…

Bahía Blanca: Argentina’s port city of Bahia Blanca has been “destroyed” after being pummeled by a year’s worth of rain in a matter of hours, killing 13 and driving hundreds from their homes, authorities said at the weekend. The deluge left hospital rooms underwater, turned neighbourhoods into islands and cut electricity to swaths of the city. National Security Minister Patricia Bullrich said Bahia Blanca was “destroyed.” More casualties were expected in this city of 350 000 residents, located 600km south-west of Buenos Aires which was also hit by the storm but suffered no major damage.…

Syrian leader Ahmed Sharaa called for peace yesterday after hundreds were killed in some of the deadliest violence in 13 years of civil war, pitting loyalists of deposed President Bashar al-Assad against the country’s new Islamist rulers. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based war monitor said the clashes continued for a fourth day in Assad’s coastal heartland and had already killed 1 000 people. A Syrian security source said the fighting had slowed around the cities of Latakia, Jabla and Baniyas, while forces searched surrounding mountainous areas where an estimated 5 000 pro-Assad insurgents were hiding. Interim president Sharaa urged Syrians not to let sectarian tensions further destabilise the country. “We have to preserve national unity and domestic peace, we can live together,” Sharaa said in a circulated…

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the gang-rape of two women including an Israeli tourist and the death of a man near a Unesco World Heritage site in India, police said yesterday. A group of two women and three men were attacked on Thursday near the Group of Monuments at Hampi, an ancient village in the south Indian state of Karnataka. The case highlights the chronic issue of violence against women in the world’s most populous country, where an average of nearly 90 rapes a day were reported in 2022. “The horrific assault and rape... is a deeply heinous crime,” the state’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah posted on X. “The police have already arrested two accused and are continuing the investigation. We will take all necessary measures to prevent…

Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi is excited to have reached the Nedbank Cup semi-finals, but he’s not getting carried away, thinking the cup is theirs. Chiefs defeated Stellenbosch 3-1 in the Nedbank Cup last eight on Saturday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. The result was controversial due to referee Sikhumbuzo Gasa awarding Chiefs’ second goal after his assistant referee ruled that George Matlou had fouled goalkeeper Sage Stephens. However, that decision won’t matter for Chiefs, who have now reached their first semi-final in years, taking a huge step toward ending their decade-long trophy drought. While this achievement will give Nabi some breathing space, as he remains under pressure to deliver results while rebuilding the team, the 59-year-old coach is cautious about assuming Chiefs will reclaim their “Cup…

The clock strikes 12pm and it is time for lunch. For many, this is a regular moment to recharge, enjoy a meal and perhaps share a laugh with colleagues or friends. But for someone living with an eating disorder, this moment can bring intense anxiety, guilt and shame. Despite thinking about food all day, the “voice” in their head might tell them they don't deserve to eat or that eating will ruin their sense of control. In a society that equates thinness with happiness, there is an endless pursuit of being “thin enough”, a finish line that never seems to exist. Eating disorders are often misunderstood, with many assuming they are merely about food or the desire to be thin. But as Dr Felicity Marcus, a specialist psychiatrist with expertise…

If you kindly allow me the liberty, I wish to mention another important place where you can see wild tibouchinas at your leisure. If you drive down Edwin Swales Drive in Kloof, you will come across an open meadow owned by the Kloof Conservancy where you will see wild tibouchinas putting on a splendid display. Unlike the M13, you can pull off, walk in the meadow and admire nature’s beauty. And you’ll wonder why you waste so much time, effort and money on the roses, canna, petunias and bougainvillea. Be quick, as these flowers won’t last forever. You know, the prettier they are, the quicker they fade away.…

The poor state of Mobeni Heights Crematorium has caused significant inconvenience and distress to families. Many have expressed frustration and anger over the lack of maintenance and upkeep. One has to do an inspection to see the disgraceful condition of the Mobeni Heights Crematorium. It is time for heads to roll. It will be an idea for the eThekwini Municipality management to visit the Clare Estate Crematorium and see the professionalism in its upkeep. Thank you Visvin Reddy, MK Party Member of Parliament, for calling for urgent intervention of the Mobeni Heights Crematorium by writing to the Minister of Co-operative Governance. With the prolonged closure for a number of years, it is definitely outrageous and disappointing to see the municipality having no concern for its citizens. Their apathy towards the…

TRUCK congestion near Richards Bay continues to disrupt transport operations, with long queues of trucks parked along the N2. Stakeholders from the trucking industry, the uMhlathuze Municipality, and freight associations say the congestion stems from failures in the railway system and port infrastructure, which was not designed to accommodate such high volumes of road freight. The uMhlathuze Municipality has acknowledged the issue, saying that its traffic department has been operating on 24-hour shifts since 2023 to manage truck movement. While the municipality has implemented a Truck Contingency Plan since 2022, control of truck volumes near the port now falls primarily under Transnet and Gate 0 Management. “The traffic department is playing a supporting role by clearing any congestion that may occur,” the municipality added. Long-term infrastructure solutions are in place,…

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has deferred the payments of some allowances to thousands of its employees from January until April in a move aimed at avoiding overexpenditure on its budget. This comes as the department is prioritising the implementation of grade and pay progression payments for the 2023-24 financial year. The turn of events has prompted Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) to accuse the national Treasury of failing to reimburse the department for the cost-of-living adjustment, which plunged the department into a deficit. Responding to parliamentary questions form EFF MP Carl Niehaus, Minister Pieter Groenewald confirmed that national commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale has deferred payments of allowances for standby, night shifts and nurses’ allowances with effect from January 10. The decision was taken in order to prioritise…

The latest report by Uber Eats revealed that one customer placed 2 378 orders in 2024, more than six orders a day. The Uber Eats 2024 Cravings Report also said that another user ordered a food item 364 days of the year. In terms of big spenders, the report also found that one savvy user saved over R18 000 in 2024 on 779 orders with Uber One. The most expensive order of the year, according to Uber Eats, was cognac, for which a user forked out more than R20 000 on a single order. The report said crispy-fried chicken with pap was the most searched item on the Uber Eats app. It also found that Johannesburg and Pretoria led the midnight munchies charge with 1.2 million late-night orders between 11pm…

Power utility Eskom announced the suspension of load shedding from 10am yesterday as it said more than 3 000 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity had been recovered. “Coal operations at Kusile power station are at optimal levels. All units that were offline as of Friday are now back in service. Progress on the recovery of Koeberg Unit 2 is well under way. Eskom reassures the public that Koeberg Unit 2 remains safe.” Stage 3 load shedding was implemented from 2pm on Friday. Eskom said yesterday that planned maintenance outages aimed at preparing for winter and meeting regulatory and environmental licensing requirements would continue. “The team is working diligently to restore 4 091MW back to service by Monday (today).” Eskom said “load shedding is largely behind us due to structural improvements…

Paris: France has urged its research institutions to consider how to welcome scientists abandoning the US in response to President Donald Trump’s policies, AFP learnt yesterday. Since Trump returned to the White House, his government has cut federal funding for life-saving research and moved to dismiss hundreds of federal workers working on health and climate. “Many well-known researchers are already questioning their future in the United States,” France’s minister for higher education and research Philippe Baptiste wrote in a letter to the institutions. “We would naturally wish to welcome a certain number of them.”…

Washington: US Secret Service agents shot an armed man near the White House during the night, an agency spokesperson said yesterday, while President Donald Trump was spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. The man had been hospitalised and his condition was “unknown,” the spokesperson said in a statement that did not specify whether the White House or Trump may have been the intended target. The agents had been warned of a “suicidal” man travelling to Washington from Indiana and near midnight found his parked vehicle near 17th and F Streets, the statement said – near the White House. Officers approached the man who brandished a firearm. An armed confrontation ensued.…

Increased violence and political friction in South Sudan threatens its fragile peace process, a UN rights body said at the weekend, days after the arrests of several officials allied to the country’s vice president. Earlier this month, security forces loyal to President Salva Kiir arrested two ministers and several senior military officials allied with Riek Machar. The arrests have raised fears for the future of a 2018 peace deal which ended a five-year civil war between forces loyal to Kiir and Machar that cost nearly 400 000 lives. “We are witnessing an alarming regression that could erase years of hard-won progress. Rather than fuelling division and conflict, leaders must urgently refocus on the peace process, uphold the human rights of South Sudanese citizens, and ensure a smooth transition to democracy,”…

LONDON: A man who scaled the lower sections of Big Ben’s Elizabeth Tower at London’s Palace of Westminster early on Saturday has come down after 16 hours and was subsequently arrested, the British police said yesterday. He was waving a Palestinian flag and shouted “free Palestine”, according to British media. “We worked with other agencies including the London Fire Brigade and deployed specialist officers to bring this incident to a close as quickly as possible whilst minimising risk to life,” a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said.…