Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-05-26 i Mercury

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) said Friday it will not be taking any action regarding the alleged share price manipulation of JSE-listed Mantengu Mining. The FSCA stated that its investigation into the alleged prohibited trading practices uncovered no evidence to support the allegations of price manipulation. On February 19, 2024, Mantengu reported to the JSE and the FSCA that a certain group of individuals were involved in the manipulation of the company’s share price. Mantengu further claimed that the FSCA had found a prima facie case warranting further investigation. “The FSCA wishes to clarify that claims that it found a prima facie case for further investigation are incorrect. The Authority received a complaint from Mantengu alleging prohibited trading practices and insider trading. Given the serious nature of the allegations…

As South Africa grapples with an increasing dependence on fuel imports, the National Petroleum Refiners of South Africa (NATREF) refinery in Sasolburg has raised alarm bells over its future sustainability. Sipho Mkhize, chairman of the South African National Petroleum Corporation (SANPC), on Friday outlined the financial strain faced by the only inland crude oil refinery, which is reliant on material transported via the Single Buoy Mooring (SBM) in the Indian Ocean off Durban. The backdrop to this crisis is the shutdown of Durban's local refineries, which has severely reduced SBM utilisation by 80%, leading to soaring operational costs for NATREF. Mkhize warned that if these financial pressures continue unabated, NATREF may have to cease operations, which would place an overwhelming burden on South Africa's petroleum supply chain "These financial strains…

The tourism and hospitality sector have praised the sport of golf in boosting the economy and bringing international tourists to KZN and South Africa. This comes after golfing legends Ernie Els and Retief Goosen were invited as part of President Cyril Ramaphosa's delegation to meet US President Donald Trump at the Oval Office in Washington on Wednesday. Rosemary Anderson, national chairperson of the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa), said on Friday that golf was a powerful driver of tourism and hospitality, especially in South Africa where we boast some of the world’s most scenic and high-quality golf courses. “From the Garden Route to the highveld, South Africa offers championship-standard courses at a fraction of the cost compared to those in Europe, North America or China,” Anderson said. “This…

Whilst a White Genocide is fake news spurred by race baiters on social media, crime is a real problem for all South Africans, in particular African and Coloured working-class communities, and especially women. South Africa is a nation that has struggled with high levels of crime for decades. During the dark days of colonial and apartheid rule, the lives of Black communities were subjected to the most brutal forms of violence unleashed by the state, including forced removals, assassinations, torture, detention and state sponsored vigilante attacks. During this time, the role of the police was to subject not protect communities. Much has been done since the advent of democracy by government led by the African National Congress to deracialise and transform the police into a police service focused…

Quantum Foods said the risk of a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak in South Africa is high, given outbreaks in many other parts of the world, and the group has adapted its strategy to lessen its risk to the disease. The JSE-listed diversified feed, poultry, and egg business operating in South Africa, Zambia, Uganda, and Mozambique said on Friday it is placing less of its layer hens in areas that have a higher risk of HPAI, and is sourcing hatching eggs from geographically diverse breeder farms due to the escalating risks of an HPAI outbreak. “The risk of an HPAI outbreak is regarded as very high for the remainder of the 2025 financial year, with an increased number of outbreaks reported in recent months in the US, Europe, North…

We’ve all heard the saying: “He died of a broken heart.” Usually, it’s whispered in a sad story about an elderly couple who’ve been together for a long time, one passes, and the other follows soon after. It sounds poetic, but here’s the thing: it’s real. And the science says it hits men even harder. Losing someone you love is a pain no one prepares you for. Whether it’s death, divorce, or the kind of breakup that shatters your whole sense of self, that emotional pain feels physical because sometimes, it is. There’s an actual condition called Broken Heart Syndrome, and it’s not just about feeling dramatic while crying to Adele. It’s medically known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and involves a sudden, temporary weakening of the heart muscle, usually triggered by…

Unethical practices, poor accountability, a broken social contract with communities and the weak integration of traditional governance systems are among the challenges facing South African municipalities. This is according to a discussion document released as part of the review of the White Paper on Local Government. The Department of Cooperative Governance has commenced the process of reviewing the White Paper on Local Government, which is expected to be completed next year. The review process will examine the funding model of municipalities and could lead to the closure of municipalities that are failing to provide services. The discussion document notes that there is reasonable concern and widespread doubt about the ability of most municipalities to perform effectively. “Manipulation and methods aimed at maintaining power and/or rapid enrichment have spread, resulting in…

Entrepreneur and innovator, Dr Iqbal Survé, chair of Sekunjalo Investment Holdings and Independent Media, has been honoured with a special Global Trailblazer Leadership Award. The award was bestowed on Dr Survé at the Future of Jobs Summit, a flagship event of the T20, the official think tank initiative under South Africa’s G20 Presidency. In his acceptance speech, he said: “All of us in our journeys are where we are because of the people that we work with and so I want to honour the 8 500 people in our group. I want to thank them for their contribution towards this award. And I think this award is really in honour of them.” He said he viewed the award as recognition for the role he played within the country and globally…

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is set to bolster its debt collection capabilities significantly, announcing plans to hire 1700 debt collectors in the 2025/26 financial year. This strategy is part of a concerted effort to improve revenue collection and recover debts in light of ongoing fiscal challenges. Commissioner Edward Kieswetter announced this while addressing the joint committees of finance and appropriations on Friday. “We have already employed 500, used the month of April and early May to train them, to induct them, to get them going, and they will now start collecting debt. In addition to that, next week, June 1, we will bring in a further 250 and continue to ramp that up,” he said. Kieswetter also said their commitment was that they expected to yield at least…

Internal competition among leading states delays progress IN AN ERA marked by accelerated geopolitical shifts and increasing multipolarity, it is imperative for African states to develop a clear understanding of their strategic interests and adopt sophisticated, long-term approaches to global engagement. The stakes are high, as decisions made today will determine whether Africa continues to occupy a peripheral role in global affairs or asserts its rightful position as a leader in sustainable development, peace, and innovation. History, particularly in the post-independence era, reveals a persistent pattern. One where Africa has frequently struggled to articulate a unified and coherent position on issues of critical importance to its own development. While global diplomacy is often likened to a game in which outcomes are determined not only by strength but also by…

AmaZulu defender Sandile Mthethwa has called on his teammates to keep believing in their potential after Usuthu sealed a Top 8 finish for the first time in three seasons. A 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday was enough for the KwaZulu-Natal outfit to end the campaign in sixth place – securing their return to the MTN8 competition next season. Mthethwa, who walked away with the Player of the Match award, has grown in stature since his arrival in December, becoming a crucial part of coach Arthur Zwane’s defensive setup. The 27-year-old joined AmaZulu midway through the season alongside Bongani Zungu, at a time when the team was rebuilding after a poor start under former coach Pablo Franco. With Zwane now steering the ship, Mthethwa has…

The CAF Champions League final is hanging on a knife-edge, and the coaches of the two protagonists are in agreement that nothing can be taken for granted just yet. Even with the away goal advantage they gained from that last-minute equaliser to draw 1–1 with Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, Pyramids FC coach Krunoslav Jurčić was not prepared to consider his team champions just yet. The Egyptian side need only prevent Sundowns from scoring in the second leg, which they will host on Sunday, to be crowned continental champions for the first time. But the Croatian knows better than to count his chickens before they’ve hatched. “This is only the first half,” he said in the post-match media conference. “We still have one more match to play, and…

Sibanye-Stillwater has confirmed that all 260 of its employees were safely brought back to the surface on Friday following a potentially hazardous incident at the Kloof 7 sub-shaft at its South African gold operations. The miner said there was never any risk of injury to the employees during the event, which unfolded when the skip door of the sub-shaft rock winder malfunctioned at the loading point on Level 39, subsequently affecting Levels 40, 41, and below. Sibanye said comprehensive safety inspections were promptly carried out immediately following the incident, along with a shaft integrity assessment. This meticulous approach was deemed necessary before any employees could ascend safely to the surface. Sibanye said the first group emerged at approximately 13:30 CAT, while the remainder returned safely around 19:30 CAT. Management deemed…

Business sector remains optimistic that new law will accomodate Elon Musk The business sector has remained cautiously optimistic amid the possibility of a new law that could accommodate South African-born but US-based tech billionaire, Elon Musk, to operate his internet company in South Africa. This comes after the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, on Friday announced in a policy directive the proposed relaxing of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies in the ICT sector. The proposal would allow Musk’s satellite internet service to operate in the country without the usual requirements for 30% ownership to historically-disadvantaged groups, instead focusing on local investment and rural access. “This move was designed to break a long-standing deadlock and signal South Africa’s openness to innovative solutions, even as broader negotiations remained stuck,”…

Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu on Friday firmly rejected claims of a genocide against white farmers in South Africa. This comes as crime statistics from the fourth quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year, covering the period from 1 January 2025 to 31 March 2025, indicated six farm-related attacks with attacks not being on race. Mchunu said that the National Rural Safety Strategy was designed to create a safe and secure environment in rural areas. “In the fourth quarter, six attacks on rural communities were recorded. We do not categorise people by race, but in the context of claims of “genocide of White people”, we need to unpack the killings in this category. “The two farm owners that were murdered during the fourth quarter were African and not White. Further to…

As South Africa approaches the 2025 agricultural season, the outlook for staples like maize, wheat, and soybeans is complex and critical for food security and consumer prices. Although strong harvests are expected, unpredictable climatic conditions such as droughts and excessive rainfall pose risks to crop yields. Rising input costs for fertilisers, seeds, and machinery add financial strain on farmers, which may lead to higher consumer prices, affecting vulnerable populations. Additionally, global market dynamics, including changes in trade policies and commodity prices, further complicate the situation. While there is optimism about harvest yields, these interconnected factors create uncertainty for agricultural stability and food prices. Stakeholders—including policymakers, farmers, and consumers—must remain adaptable to address the challenges ahead and ensure food security.Maize: A Double-Edged SwordThe Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) forecasts a commercial maize…

A new wealth fund has been proposed for KwaZulu-Natal, aimed at ensuring the availability of finance for key catalytic projects that have the capacity to create employment. The fund will primarily service projects that are partnerships between the government and the private sector and ensure they are completed on time and not hamstrung by financing. This wealth fund will provide those involved in the partnership with quicker funding and lower interest rates than those offered by commercial banks, potentially reducing the need to apply for project funding through the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). According to KZN Finance MEC Francois Rodgers, the wealth fund will not rely solely on government contributions as private entities will also contribute. He added that a bank has already committed to participating in the…

A Durban paint company, who was ordered to pay a former worker more than R700 000 after the Labour Court found that it had unfairly discriminated against the pregnant woman by sending her early on maternity leave without pay, is set on appealing the ruling and will argue that the court has made several erroneous findings against it. The Pinetown company had been ordered to pay the chemist working for the company, R724 000 in compensation, which is equivalent to 11 months’ salary. The paint company has meanwhile filed an application for leave to appeal the ruling. As her job entailed the development of products and research, she became concerned about the chemicals with which she had to work when she became pregnant. After telling her employer that she was…

In yet another blow for Desiree Liebenberg, wife of diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg, the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, turned down her appeal against the earlier refusal to grant her bail. The Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court in November refused bail as it found that she is a flight risk. The lower court also found that she wasn’t open about where she would stay if bail was granted. On Friday, Judge Mashudu Munzhelele found that the magistrate did not err in refusing bail. Apart from being vague as to which address she will reside at if she was released, the State had a strong case against her the judge found. She was arrested in October last year, alongside her husband, relating to charges including racketeering, money laundering, fraud, theft, and corruption. In opposing…

Manchester City, Chelsea, and Newcastle secured places in next season’s Uefa Champions League as Liverpool lifted the English Premier League trophy following a 1–1 draw against Crystal Palace on a dramatic final day of the season on Sunday. A record-equalling 20th league title for Liverpool, and relegation for Ipswich, Leicester, and Southampton, had long since been decided, leaving the focus of attention on the battle for European qualification. Liverpool and Arsenal had already confirmed their Champions League spots by finishing in the top two, while Tottenham will join them after winning the Uefa Europa League on Wednesday. City ensured a disappointing season did not end in disaster by qualifying for Europe’s top competition for the 15th consecutive year, thanks to a 2–0 victory over Fulham that secured third place. Ilkay…

Lando Norris celebrated his first Monaco Grand Prix win from pole position yesterday, cutting McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri’s Formula One championship lead to just three points in a race more defined by strategy than outright speed. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished second in his home Grand Prix – a race he won last year – with Piastri third and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in fourth. All four drivers finished in the order they started. For the first time, the afternoon featured two mandatory pit stops, raising expectations for more drama around the harbourside circuit, but those hopes largely fell flat. Drivers throughout the field adopted a cautious, tactical approach, with Verstappen delaying his final stop until the penultimate lap. Most behind him followed suit, biding their time and avoiding unnecessary risks.…

Shares in technology group AYO Technology Solutions Limited (AYO) leapt 20% after Sekunjalo Investment Holdings (Sekunjalo) on Friday confirmed that it has made a firm offer to acquire all remaining ordinary shares in South Africa’s largest black-owned and managed ICT investment group not already held by it or its related parties. Sekunjalo currently holds a 45% majority shareholding in AYO. Sekunjalo has also submitted a proposal for the voluntary delisting of AYO from the JSE. "Sekunjalo will acquire the Offer Shares, being a maximum of 155 331 790 shares, in respect of which valid acceptances are received prior to the closing date of the Offer, for a total maximum Offer Consideration of R80 772 531," AYO said. It said the Offer will be subject to the condition that the proposed…

“Houston, we have a problem.” The iconic Apollo 13 line feels oddly fitting for South Africa’s latest headache: the “Afrikaner genocide” narrative making waves in US-South Africa trade talks. This exaggerated claim, fueled by images of crosses symbolising farm murders, paints a distorted picture of crime in South Africa, ruffling feathers globally. It's a headache for the country's reputation overshadowing its “Rainbow Nation” legacy. To navigate this storm, South Africa must confront the misinformation head-on while addressing the root causes - crime, unemployment, and governance failures - with decisive action. The “Afrikaner genocide” narrative gained traction during the recent White House meeting, where US President Donald Trump presented video clips of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema chanting “Kill the Boer,” an apartheid-era struggle song. The South African delegation,…

Despite all the attention on the RSA (Ramaphosa) and Trump(US) standoff to gain political points at the news conference last Wednesday, as well as the “don’t want to cut the national government salary account” third national budget, financial markets in South Africa seem to react on the real issue of the US/SA negotiations, South Africa’s promising inflation data and foreign investment interest, that pushed the Rand/$ exchange rate to a new record level for 2025 and the ALSI to a new all-time record. The ALSI closed Friday higher for the fourth consecutive week at an all-time high of 93 529. This is a weekly rise of 1.0% and now has gained 10.8% since the beginning of the year and 18.0% over the last year. Once again, this movement is in…

In a striking demonstration of fiscal resilience, South Africa's metals packaging group Nampak has recorded a remarkable turnaround in its financial fortunes for the six months ending March 31. The company reported a profit of R3 billion, a stark contrast to a loss of R135 million reported during the same period last year. This turnaround has not only bolstered its's position, but also highlighted the impact of strategic management amid a tightening consumer environment. CEO Phildon Roux shared insights on the results, noting that earnings a share surged to 35 842.2 cents — a robust recovery from a loss of 1 123.5 cents in the first half of the previous year. “The first half yielded a rewarding financial outcome,” Roux stated, attributing the momentum to a concentrated focus on margin…

AS Our relationships are often tested by time constraints, work pressures, and societal expectations, couples are finding creative ways to strengthen their connection. The dynamics of modern dating often reflect a desire for a deeper connection amidst the chaos of everyday life. For many couples, this means finding simple yet meaningful ways to bond. Interestingly, one of the most underrated yet effective bonding activities is binge-watching TV shows together. While the idea may seem trivial, recent research and behavioural studies reveal surprising emotional and relational benefits of this shared pastime. According to marriage.com, when couples sit down to watch TV shows together, it becomes more than just a passive activity. It transforms into a shared adventure filled with laughter, emotions, and even moments of reflection. 1. Creating shared experiences that…

Five KwaZulu-Natal municipalities have been flagged amid concerns that they are on the verge of financial collapse. The office of the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) has expressed significant doubt about the ability of Ugu District, Endumeni, Mpofana, Uthukela District Municipality and Umzinyathi District Municipality to continue as going concerns. The Mercury reached out to the municipalities, three did not respond to requests for comment. Their precarious state was detailed in a report by the AGSA KwaZulu-Natal office during a recent meeting with members of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa). The AGSA tabled a comprehensive report on the state of municipalities in the province as part of the audit for the 2023-2024 financial year. On the state of the five municipalities, it said: “There is doubt whether these…

SOUTH AFRICA is grappling with unacceptably high levels of violent crime. This was said by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu as he released South Africa’s fourth-quarter crime statistics which, while showing a national decline in murders, reflect the ongoing threat of violent crime, particularly in provinces like KwaZulu-Natal. Hours after the statistics were released, four people were shot dead in the Mzomusha area of Dundee on Friday evening. According to the stats, 5 727 people were murdered, 10 688 people were raped and 4 571 kidnappings occurred between January and March this year. A total of 11 111 common robberies and 35 374 commercial crimes were reported in the same period. “Although 13 of the 30 police stations with the highest number of murders recorded decreases, the overall figure remains worrying,”…

National Treasury director-general Duncan Pieterse said the work to be done by his department on spending reviews will soon be presented before the Cabinet. Pieterse said there were historical spending reviews and that they have embarked on a new wave of them. “Some of the new spending reviews are complete, like the work on active labour market programmes and public employment, and that we will be tabling to Cabinet and elsewhere soon,” he said. He made the statement while he was with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and the National Treasury team unpacking the 2025/26 Budget on Friday. In his Budget speech, Godongwana said the National Treasury has undertaken expenditure reviews looking at more than R300 billion in the government's spending since 2013 to identify duplications, waste, and inefficiencies. Pieterse…

The three convicted in the case of the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith, will know their fate this week. The sentencing proceedings for Jacquen Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn, and Joshlin’s mother Racquel “Kelly” Smith is set to take place over three days. The Western Cape High Court will once again sit at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville for the matter. The proceedings are scheduled to get underway tomorrow with the sentences expected to be handed down on Thursday. Judge Nathan Erasmus transferred the matter back to Saldanha and the accused were transferred to Langebaan and Malmesbury holding cells until this week. The transfers followed a brief high court appearance by the accused on Friday, where Judge Erasmus criticised police after the matter was delayed by an hour due…

Proteas coach Shukri Conrad’s contagious smile will be just a bit broader this week after David Bedingham returned from injury for his English County Championship side Durham. The middle-order batter had fractured his toe at the start of the County season and was in a race against time to be fit for the Proteas’ all-important World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s next month. He was in the Durham squad for last week’s match against Nottinghamshire, but had not yet been given the clearance from Cricket SA. However, after a six-week layoff, Bedingham played a full part in this past weekend’s seven-wicket defeat to Somerset. The 31-year-old batted in both Durham’s innings, scoring just 17 and eight. Conrad will not be too fussed with Bedingham’s contributions, but rather the…

Richards Bay head coach Ronnie Gabriel has credited the growth and maturity of his youthful squad for propelling the club to the brink of MTN8 qualification, following a spirited 2–0 victory over SuperSport United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium yesterday. The win – sealed by second-half goals from Yanela Mbuthuma and Thulani Gumede – elevated the Natal Rich Boyz into eighth place on the Betway Premiership table heading into the final round of fixtures. However, their place in next season’s MTN8 is not yet guaranteed. Richards Bay currently sit on 33 points with a goal difference of -7, and their fate now hinges on Golden Arrows’ final result. Should Abafana Bes’thende win their last match by a margin of more than six goals, they would overtake Gabriel’s side and snatch…

After the Springboks had spectacularly beaten the Wallabies in the opening match of the 1995 World Cup on Thursday, May 25, several pool matches ensued the next day. South Africa were in Pool A, with Romania, Canada and Australia, and on the Friday it was the turn of the eastern Europeans and the hardy Canucks from North America. Canada had a handy team in that period. The game was still amateur and they could reasonably compete, as the Boks would discover later in the tournament when they had to fight for their lives in Port Elizabeth. Canada had world class players – some of whom were based in Europe – in captain and lock Al Charron, prop Rod Snow and the very good flyhalf Gareth Rees. The latter two played…