Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-04-25 i Mercury

Treasury says decision follows extensive consultations with political parties, and the recommendations of Parliament South Africa's business sector has cautiously welcomed the scrapping of the proposed 0.5 percentage points increase in the value-added tax (VAT) as a crucial relief for consumers, the country's fiscal position remained severely strained. However, the business industry said that the government would have to find alternative measures to raise enough revenue to plug the national budget deficit amidst rising debt-servicing costs and other national expenditure priorities. This comes as the National Treasury on Thursday announced that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will no longer be increasing the VAT from 15 to 15.5% from 1 May, which was proposed in the National Budget to plug the R58 billion fiscal deficit. North West University Business School economist,…

The latest World Bank Group Pulse report, released on Wednesday, projects a cautiously optimistic trajectory for Sub-Saharan Africa's economic activity. According to the report, growth is forecasted to improve from 3.3% in 2024 to 3.5% in 2025, and is set to accelerate further to 4.3% in 2026-27. However, this outlook is tempered by the sluggish performance of some of the region's largest economies, specifically Angola, Nigeria, and South Africa. However, when these major players are excluded from the equation, the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to see a growth rate of 4.6 percent in 2025, potentially climbing to 5.7 percent by 2026-27. The report emphasised that these projections hinged on a backdrop of increased risks, particularly stemming from global policy uncertainties. “This outlook is subject to heightened risks arising…

While financial trauma has the power to unravel lives and cause analysis paralysis when it comes to money decisions, there are ways to address this underlying issue head-on to become financially fruitful. Being born in January, a month when money was always tight, meant birthdays felt like an afterthought. Gifts were often necessities, like a school uniform or a replacement for a lost umbrella, rather than items I truly desired. These moments, though seemingly small, left lasting imprints on my relationship with money. For people with financial trauma, stress isn’t just an occasional burden; it runs deep, shaping the way they think, feel, and make financial decisions long into adulthood. Money trauma can stem from a variety of factors, from large-scale issues, like the recent global pandemic or an economic…

A dispute has ensued over the R2.2 billion guarantee needed for Ithala Bank, with the National Treasury (NT) warning that its primary task is to protect customers and not to bail out the bank. The Treasury described its stance as a standard approach it has applied in similar situations to safeguard customers of other embattled financial institutions. This statement follows revelations that the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government has approached the Treasury to enquire about the guarantee. Senior management of Ithala recently informed members of the provincial legislature that, despite negotiations with the Treasury over the guarantee, it resolved to give the guarantee to the SA Reserve Bank instead of the province. The Mercury understands that opinions differ on what the guarantee is for and how it should be utilised. The province…

Parliaments’ Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has called on the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to accelerate the timeline for its proposed overhaul of South Africa’s migration system, urging the department to bring forward the finalisation of the Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection White Paper from 2030 to 2027. The committee received the DHA’s 2025/2030 strategic plan and its 2025/26 annual performance plan this week. Committee chairperson Mosa Chabane said the urgency stemmed from the country’s escalating migration challenges, which required decisive policy direction. “Migration challenges facing the country require urgent policy direction not only to close legislative gaps but also to ensure that South Africa is in line with international protocols and obligations,” said Chabane. The White Paper proposes a complete overhaul of South Africa’s migration system, which has…

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has indicated that electronic voting (e-voting) is improbable for the 2026 local government elections. This follows the recent IEC-hosted e-voting conference, which explored the potential transition from the current paper-based voting system to an electronic model. IEC’s chief electoral officer, Sy Mamabolo, said that while the discussions at the conference were positive, it was still too early to overhaul the country’s electoral system. “It is important to note the commission has not yet made a decision on the use of e-voting, and certainly this is not contemplated for use in next year’s municipal elections,” he said. However, he said the commission launched a discussion document to start a country discussion on the use of technology in elections. According to Mamabolo, the policy discussion…

With South Africans travelling far and wide during the upcoming long weekends, queues at the various toll gates on our journeys are assured as much as potholes will be on secondary roads. Traditional payment methods on toll roads have been inconvenient for motorists and vulnerable to abuse and fraud. With little effort fraudsters were able to abuse the system in various ways and as a result losses to fraud have been escalating year on year. Hotspot The South African Banking Risk Information Centre has identified toll gates as one of the main hotspots for card cloning. The most common method is skimming, where a skimmer is used to copy the magnetic stripe data. Shimming uses a very thin device placed inside a chip reader to read and steal data from…

AmaZulu will travel to the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale on Saturday for a 3pm kick-off against Golden Arrows in what promises to be a season-defining KwaZulu-Natal derby. Both teams will be eyeing a top-eight finish that eluded them last season. Usuthu currently sit seventh on the league table with 33 points from 26 matches, but their recent run of form paints a concerning picture. With four losses in their last five outings, their ability to finish the season on a strong note will be put to the test. As they prepare to face their local rivals, this fixture carries more than just bragging rights. With only four points separating the two teams, the stakes are significantly high. And in a campaign plagued by inconsistency, this derby becomes a potential turning…

Annerie Dercksen will always remember her Proteas Women’s ODI debut at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru last year. But not for the reasons that you may think. While it was the fulfilment of a life-long dream and she had the wicket of Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur to cherish, Dercksen’s primary recollection is standing in the field and admiring the brilliance of Smriti Mandhana. The graceful Indian opener was in the form of her life and her full array of strokes was on display during her 117. It certainly was an eye-opener for Dercksen, who hails from the small town of Beaufort West in the Great Karoo region, that she had now officially joined the big show. “I've got to say, in my debut game, I think she scored close to…

Rajasthan Royals have officially announced that their much-anticipated clash with Mumbai Indians on May 1 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur will be the #PinkPromise Match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. It will be a marquee fixture that highlights the franchise’s enduring commitment to women- Building on the momentum of last year’s success, the Royals will once again take the field with purpose, donning a special all-pink jersey that symbolises solidarity with women changemakers. But this initiative goes far beyond - it’s a testament to how cricket can drive change beyond the boundary. This year, reaffirming their ongoing commitment, the Royals will once again light up six homes in the Sambhar region with solar power for every six struck during the match. Taking the impact further, ₹100…

The Stormers must tighten up a few areas of their gameplay if they want to beat Benetton in their United Rugby Championship (URC) clash tomorrow in Cape Town as they continue pushing for a favourable knockout spot. Despite beating Connacht, certain parts of their game did not function well, and the Italians will look to exploit it even further when the duel kicks off (6.15pm) in the DHL Stadium. Independent Newspapers looks at five key areas the Cape side would’ve worked on ahead of this watershed duel. Defence It has long been a pillar of the Stormers’ gameplan, but teams have found it too easy to circumvent their rush defence. Director of rugby John Dobson could not put his finger on the problem and if it’s a system or player…

Tanzania has banned the importation of agricultural products from Malawi and South Africa, saying it was retaliation for similar hostile trade measures from both countries. The three countries all belong to a regional economic bloc, the Southern African Development Community, SADC. Tanzania had demanded that both countries rescind bans on imports of agricultural goods from Tanzania by Wednesday, but they had not done so, agriculture minister Hussein Bashe said in a video posted on his X account late on Wednesday. Malawi had recently banned imports of Tanzanian commodities like maize flour, rice, ginger, and bananas, among others, while South Africa has also proscribed the import of bananas shipped by Dar es Salaam. "I would like to officially announce that from this night ... we won't allow any agricultural products from…

The World Economic Forum said Wednesday it has launched an investigation into fraud allegations against its founder Klaus Schwab that reportedly prompted his resignation this week. The 87-year-old Schwab, who for decades has greeted presidents and tycoons at the annual forum in the Swiss resort of Davos, said there was "not a shadow of proof" for the accusations. He added in a statement to the Swiss newspaper Blick that he had started defamation proceedings. In a statement confirming a Wall Street Journal report, the WEF said its board of trustees "unanimously supported the Audit and Risk Committee's decision to initiate an independent investigation following a whistleblower letter containing allegations against former Chairman Klaus Schwab". The longtime forum leader suddenly resigned on Monday, "with immediate effect". In a statement at the…

South Africa's economic landscape is experiencing a nuanced shift, with BankservAfrica revealing that the average nominal take-home pay declined in March 2025. The figure slipped to R17 811 from February's R18 272, marking a 2.5% decrease. Despite this dip, when compared to R15 983 just a year ago, the average remains buoyed above last year’s levels—highlighting both resilience and the effects of ongoing economic pressures. Shergeran Naidoo, head of stakeholder engagements at BankservAfrica, addressed the declining nominal pay, attributing it to intensifying economic headwinds that are impacting growth and consumer confidence. "This raises concerns over potential impacts on employment and earnings in the coming months. However, Thursday's announcement to scrap the proposed VAT increase offers some reprieve," Naidoo said. Elize Kruger, an independent economist affiliated with BankservAfrica, noted a tempered…

Times are tough, geopolitical tensions are high in global markets, and South Africa is not immune. Continued pressure on- and depreciation of the rand – largely due to factors outside of our control – fuel fears and add financial strain to a struggling economy, which already needs to deal with successive VAT increases over the next two years. These developments have an impact on all business sectors, including the insurance industry. This is according to Ryno de Kock, head of distribution at PSG Insure, who unpacks how rand volatility and depreciation could be impacting your insurance cover, both from a business and personal insurance cover perspective. A weaker rand means imported goods cost more Most consumer goods in South Africa – including cars, electronic devices, and household appliances – are…

JSE-listed commodity exporter Kumba Iron Ore has reported a significant uptick in sales volumes, with a 6% increase recorded during the quarter ending 31 March 2025. This boost comes on the heels of enhanced rail performance by Transnet, marking a promising recovery for the South African bulk commodity sector, which has been grappling with operational inefficiencies over the past few years. Kumba Iron Ore’s CEO, Mpumi Zikalala, on Thursday said that Transnet’s capacity has improved in the first quarter of the year. “The 5% uplift in Transnet’s rail performance, which supported a 6% increase in sales volumes, is encouraging,” said Zikalala. Kumba’s production for the quarter period dropped by 3% to 9 million tons despite Kolomela's production increasing by 12% to 3.0 million tons. Sales volumes for the period also…

The consequences of a tragic incident more than 20 years ago, when two sets of twin girls were accidentally swopped at birth, unfolded in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, with the Gauteng MEC for Health ending up having to pay R5.5million in damages. Judge Nomonde Mngqibisa-Thusi awarded damages to the biological mother of one set of twins – only identified as Mrs M, as well as to three of the other twins. The fourth twin did not form part of the litigation, brought on behalf of the plaintiffs by the law firm O Joubert Attorneys. The plaintiffs’ claims follow a baby swop at the Heidelberg Hospital more than 20 years ago. Mrs M, a single mother, cared for what she thought were both her biological children, while another family, only…

FINANCE Minister Enoch Godongwana’s decision to reverse the 0.5% VAT increase in the 2025-26 budget and to withdraw the Revenue and Appropriations Bills has brought relief to millions of poor and middle class South Africans. However, Godongwana’s about-turn has plunged the programme of Parliament into disarray. The announcement has raised alarm among opposition parties and sparked potential legal action from the MK Party if the fiscal framework containing VAT increase was not sent back to the standing committee on finance. National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza yesterday told MPs that her office had been made aware of Godongwana’s intention to introduce a VAT rate and amendments to the Revenue Bill that will propose retaining the current VAT amount instead of an increased amount announced in March. “The minister will withdraw the…

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has launched an investigation into how the party-led KwaDukuza Local Municipality decided to secure the protection of the mayor’s house at a cost of R173 000 a month without a police threat assessment report. The party was reacting to the leaked March invoice where the Durban-based security company was billing the municipality for monthly costs of eight guards that are protecting the mayor’s house 24 hours a day. The ANC’s investigation came on the back of the council’s denial of any knowledge of a police security threat analysis being done which could have led the council to approve the protection of the mayor’s house. In a written response, the ANC provincial spokesperson, Fanle Sibisi, said that this and other allegations circulating on social and other media…

Legal Practice Council stands firm on disciplinary action against Mpofu The Labour Practice Council (LPC) has defended its decision to charge advocate Dali Mpofu SC, asserting that its national executive committee will not be used to settle political disputes between professional bodies. This statement follows a stern warning from the Pan-African Bar Association of South Africa (Pabasa), which wrote on April 17 to LPC chairperson advocate Pule Seleka SC. Pabasa cautioned the LPC to resist efforts to weaponise disciplinary proceedings against Mpofu SC for narrow personal or political reasons. Recently, the LPC announced charges against Mpofu SC, accusing him of bringing the legal profession into disrepute. Pabasa expressed deep concern, describing the charges as “spurious” and aimed at intimidating Mpofu SC and unjustly tarnishing his reputation. In his response dated…

Omoda has launched its C5 X Series in South Africa, sporting improvements to the design, practicality and driving experience. This is essentially a facelift that has not been applied to the entire range, with the new Lux X and Elegance X replacing the previous Lux and Elegance models but they do come at a significant price saving. The new C5 Lux X is priced at R425,900, which is R52,000 less than its predecessor, while the Elegance X, at R465,900, represents a saving of R42,000. At the lower end of the range, the existing C5 1.5 Street and 1.5T Style continue as before, priced at R329,000 and R364,900 respectively. The C5 X ushers in a new frontal design that’s likely to be less controversial than the large, sweeping borderless grille seen…

Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal have to get their "energy" back for the Champions League showdown with Paris Saint-Germain after a lacklustre 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace left Liverpool on the brink of winning the Premier League. Arteta's side were hoping to warm up for their first Champions League semi-final appearance since 2009 with a victory over Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. But Jakub Kiwior's third-minute header for the Gunners was cancelled out by Eberechi Eze's volley in the 27th minute. Leandro Trossard's strike put Arsenal back in front three minutes before half-time, only for Palace substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta to loft a brilliant lob over out of position keeper David Raya in the 83rd minute. Second-placed Arsenal are 12 points adrift of Liverpool, and with only four matches left…

Since pursuing a career as a professional motorcycle racer, Gqeberha-born Ruche Moodley has spent a significant amount of his teenage years overseas, especially Europe. The 18-year-old speedster is racing his Debut season in the Moto3 Class and is based in Alicante, Spain with team BOE Motorsport. The Spanish cuisine doesn't really phase him, however, as his tongue longs for the Durban flavors he and his family grew up on. Moodley's training regiment is stricter than your average 18-year-old, covering two workouts a day, all week long! In terms of food, a lot of bland chicken, starch and boiled vegetables are consumed as part of his diet. But whenever the racing prodigy has a chance, he's going for something greasy. Moodley used to be a vegetarian before crossing over to the…

ASP Isotopes, which uses its own South Africa developed technology to enrich isotopes, plans to add to its 2022 Nasdaq listing with a listing on the Main Board of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The company, owned by its CEO Paul Mann and US-based institutional global investment funds, develops technologies and processes for the enrichment of isotopes that can be used in the medical, semiconductor and nuclear industries, born out of years of research and development, originally developed in South Africa. ASPI is a US incorporated company that has been listed on the Nasdaq since 2022. It has a market capitalisation in the US of $400 million, or R7.5 billion, and it plans to list on the JSE later this year, subject to regulatory approvals. “While our investor base has been…

Moody’s Ratings has cautioned that though the US tariffs are expected to have few direct credit implications for African banks, the tariffs will have significant indirect negative implications through the financial markets' risk-transmission channel. Earlier this month, the US government authorised a 90-day pause on the implementation of most new US tariffs, reverting to a universal rate of 10% on all almost all targeted countries, including African countries. However, the Trump administration ramped up import tariffs on goods from China to 145% and the Chinese government retaliated with its own 125% tariffs on US imports, setting off a trade war between the world’s two largest economies. Moody’s on Thursday said it expected the increase in tariffs after the 90-day pause is lifted to have few direct credit implications for African…

One of the most important decisions you’ll make before getting married is choosing a matrimonial property regime. Your choice of a marriage contract can have far-reaching financial consequences, so it’s essential to understand the pros and cons of each system before tying the knot. (i) In community of property In community of property is the default marital regime where no antenuptial contract (ANC) has been signed. In the absence of an ANC, couples are automatically married in community of property – often without realising the long-term implications. One perceived advantage of this regime is that there are no upfront legal costs required to draft an antenuptial contract, although the reality is that these costs are nominal. Under this system, all assets and liabilities are merged into one joint…

Shareholders in Anglo American will vote for the demerger of its South African platinum group metals (PGM) producing unit next week, with the company also expecting to report 2025 half year financials for its steelmaking coal and nickel segments as discontinued operations. Anglo American has been restructuring its operations through the demerger of some operating units such as those producing diamonds, PGM, nickel and steelmaking coal. It intends to focus more on copper and crop nutrients. The London and JSE-listed resource group said Thursday that shareholders will now vote on the demerger of Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) on April 30. Details of the transaction have not yet been disclosed. However, Anglo American expects the demerger of Amplats to result in taxes and transaction costs of $400 000 to $500 million…

Cashbuild, the largest retailer of building materials in South Africa, said revenue increased 5% in its third quarter, and the increase was 4% if one excludes the opening of new stores, growth that barely exceeds inflation. Cashbuild’s share price slipped 1.82% to R156.06 on Thursday morning after the operational update was released, a price slightly higher than the R148.01 it traded at a year ago, but well down from the R226.98 that it traded at in December. By the end of February, the annual consumer price inflation in South Africa was 3.2%. The company had 308 stores prior to July 2023. This growth in revenue for the quarter, combined with the results for the half year to February 29, 2024, equated to a 5% increase in revenue year to date.…

The beauty and majesty of leopards (Panthera pardus) are not just a captivating sight – they also play a crucial role in the ecological balance of their habitats. However, as the world prepares to mark International Leopard Day on May 3, conservationists urged a collective commitment to combat the threats leopards face, including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching. In South Africa, leopards are classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with their population steadily decreasing. Once roaming vast areas, their habitats have been diminished to a mere 25% of their historical range. The alarming decline of these iconic apex predators signals an urgent need for concerted efforts to protect them both in the wild and in captivity. Four Paws South Africa and Lionsrock Big…

A Malvern family is piecing together their lives after a fire destroyed their home on Wednesday. Three puppies also died. Willem Uitslag, the tenant on the property, said it was the strength of God that helped him escape the fire after the roof collapsed while he was rescuing puppies from his room. Uitslag, his wife Johanna and his father-in-law, Louie, were on the porch of the old wood and iron home when they saw smoke coming out of the room. Their 15-year-old son, Willem jr, was in another room. Uitslag said that within a matter of minutes, the house was engulfed in flames. He said he immediately rushed into the house to get his son to safety. Willem said he realised that his dogs were also inside one of the…

There’s something special and alluring about a Mini. Perhaps it’s the way it has grabbed the imagination of millions around the world since it was first introduced in 1959 and started a craze for cool small cars that’s been etched into the annals of motoring pop culture. It also helped that the Mini won the Monte Carlo rally in 1964, 1965 and 1967 that made people sit up and notice that it wasn’t just a cute little car. BMW took over the company in the mid 90s and thank goodness they continue to keep that fun element and have managed to keep the mini DNA running throughout the various models, something that Volkswagen failed to do with the equally iconic Beetle. Remembering Growing up in the 80s, a friend’s mom…

Jamie Vardy will leave former Premier League champions Leicester at the end of the season, the relegated club announced yesterday, describing the lightning-quick forward as their "greatest-ever player". The talismanic striker, a key member of the side that lifted the English league title against seemingly impossible odds in 2016, vowed to continue playing even at the age of 38. The former England international joined the Foxes in 2012 from non-league side Fleetwood for just £1 million and has scored 198 goals in nearly 500 appearances. The club captain is Leicester's record Premier League goalscorer with 143 goals. He scored 24 times in the 2015/16 Premier League campaign, helping the Foxes to their first top-flight title in one of the greatest shocks in football history. Vardy was also part of Leicester's…

Bulls mentor Jake White did his best on Friday to deny that they don’t see their United Rugby Championship (URC) match against the defending champions the Glasgow Warriors as a revenge match. It’s the same Warriors who, under head coach Franco Smith, rocked up to Loftus Versfeld last season and beat the home side in the final to be crowned winners of the third edition. Friday’s duel at the Scotstoun Stadium (8.35pm kick-off) will be their first meet since that fateful Saturday in Pretoria in 2024. The Bulls pencilled 25 April in as the meet-again with the champions and they will now get their date in a crucial final away game in the third-last round-robin clash of the season. Hunting for the second place on the overall log - they…

Every so often, you get to watch a disaster unfold in slow motion right in front of you. Inevitably, you think to yourself, there must be a German word or phrase to encapsulate the experience. Like Treppenwitz – that moment when you think of the perfect comeback just a little too late – or Backpfeifengesicht, which describes the urge you feel to look down on someone with a punchable face. Perhaps the German word that best describes the Lions over the past two months, however, is Fremdscham – which literally translates to “strangely ashamed” and in English aligns most closely with second-hand embarrassment. Now, it is well established in newsprint that I am a massive Lions fan, so we won’t rehash those details. Needless to say, though, the last few…