Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-07-21 i Mercury

FlySafair is poised for significant flight disruptions in the next two weeks following a decision to lock out around 200 pilots for seven days on the back of industrial action starting on Monday. This drastic move comes on the heels of an overwhelming 90% of the airline's pilots voting in favour of a strike over a wage dispute, igniting a standoff that could see the aviation landscape of South Africa affected for up to two weeks. The turmoil began when Solidarity, the union representing FlySafair's pilots, issued a notice of a one-day strike intended to bring the airline back to the negotiation table. However, the situation escalated when FlySafair responded with its own announcement of a seven-day lockout, which could extend for an additional week if the standoff remains unresolved.…

The National Treasury has fired back that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), saying that it has allocated an additional R10 billion to its R57.2bn budget in the 2025/26 financial year. This comes after Navy Admiral Monde Lobese launched a scathing attack against the Treasury last week, accusing it of sabotaging the operational capacity of the SANDF through inadequate budget allocations. Lobese's appearance before the Joint Standing on Defence on Friday was initially intended to address ongoing disputes between the SANDF and Amscor related to constrained procurement processes. However, it quickly evolved into a broader critique of the Treasury's budgeting practices, which he claims have long stifled the SANDF's ability to fulfil its mandate. "National Treasury can't be allowed to be a super-department or a government on its own…

In a world where development finance is undergoing a profound shift, Africa’s financial institutions are quietly but powerfully redrawing the playbook. Moving beyond traditional models, African Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) are stepping forward as co-architects of an investment-led future. Their contributions are reshaping not only the continent but the very model of global partnership. The Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI) — created last year by DFIs investing a combined $70 billion (R1.3 trillion) — is helping drive this transformation through sustainable economic growth and financial self-reliance. From cross-border energy platforms to strategic transport corridors, these institutions are pioneering new growth models and credit enhancement initiatives grounded in local capital, institutional strength and global collaboration. Across Africa, now, DFIs are catalysing economic opportunity through partnerships built on co-investment, local…

General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s report card of the 6th of July to the nation was not a statistical release of crime but one which discusses what the drivers of crime and how that plunges South Africa into what would be a failed state. This came 12 days before a globally acclaimed date on the global calendar which is Nelson Mandela Day – a euphoria in which South Africa could legitimately bask, but for reasons of neglect to memorialize we are unable to even if momentarily retire in this memorable vista. Eleven years ago, I was privileged yet again to count the South African population. But this privilege was met with protestations by some communities in the country. Amongst the three that I had to spend time on was one by the…

BHP delivered record iron ore and copper production, demonstrating resilience of the business amid global volatility and uncertainty, CEO Mike Henry said on Friday. BHP’s WA iron ore operations set multiple records, including for full-year production. South Flank exceeded nameplate capacity production in its first year of operation after being delivered on time and on budget in the 2024 financial year, he said in an operational update for the year to June 30, 2025. “The efficiency of our infrastructure hubs continues to strengthen performance, with rail, port, and technology investments delivering tangible production outcomes. Our steelmaking coal business increased production by 5%, with improved truck productivity offsetting heavy wet weather and geotechnical challenges at Broadmeadow,” said Henry. BHP produced more than 2 million tons of copper across the group—its highest…

In today’s fast-paced world, staying active can feel like a challenge, especially when pricey gym memberships are out of reach. But all is not lost for fitness enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Across SA, communities are alive with free, accessible ways to work up a sweat while soaking in the outdoors. From scenic parks to local sports facilities, here’s how simply stepping outside might be the best move for your health and well-being. Embrace the outdoors Mzansi’s natural beauty isn’t just there to be admired – it’s there to be explored – parks, botanical gardens, beachfront promenades and rugged hiking trails all double as outdoor gyms. A gentle walk through a leafy park can quickly become a power walk that torches calories and lifts your mood. Many public gardens have walking…

The Water and Sanitation Department has taken another step towards addressing issues of water and sanitation security in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands with the commissioning of the Mpophomeni Wastewater Treatment Works, a project valued at R450 million. The project is a key part of the government’s efforts to ensure water and sanitation security in the uMgungundlovu District. The department stated that the treatment works complement the Vulindlela Bulk Water Supply Scheme. The Vulindlela Bulk Water Supply Scheme is currently undergoing major upgrades to allow it to supply water to hundreds of thousands of residents in the Vulindlela area under the Msunduzi Municipality, who have not had tap water for more than five years. In July 2023, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DSW) held a sod-turning ceremony to mark the start…

Former board chairperson of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas), Ernest Khosa, has lost a court case in which he wanted the court to order the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) to remove the report implicating him in corruption from its website. The Johannesburg High Court dismissed the application brought by Khosa. It was Khosa’s second attempt to get the report removed. He wrote to Outa, through his attorneys, demanding the removal of the report shortly after it was published last year. The report, which was published in January 2024, alleges that Khosa and former Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande defrauded Nsfas through kickbacks from service providers. Khosa said he would be able to respond to the dismissal by Wednesday. In his application before the court, he wanted the…

Residents of the Kennedy Road informal settlement in Durban have been given food parcels, blankets and mattresses following a deadly fire that claimed two lives in the early hours of Saturday morning. EThekwini Municipality Deputy Mayor Zandile Myeni provided the items during her visit to assess the damage on Saturday. Myeni also visited the families of the deceased, a 25-year-old woman and a toddler (19 months old), where she expressed her heartfelt condolences and encouraged the community to assist where they can, embodying the spirit of Ubuntu. She also appealed to the public to donate food, clothing, bedding, building materials and other essential items that could help those affected. Myeni also urged community members to remain vigilant and avoid leaving open fires and candles unattended. The fire destroyed more…

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has disclosed that the National Gambling Board (NGB) has recorded at least 90 online gambling websites currently operating illegally in South Africa, all of which are registered and licensed overseas. Tau revealed this when he was responding to parliamentary questions from Rise Mzansi MP Songezo Zibi, who enquired about the approaches used by the NGB to identify illegal gambling websites and the engagements undertaken by the board with South African network operators to block illegal online gambling websites in the past five financial years, among other things. Zibi had also wanted to know about the steps taken by NGB with Google Africa to remove illegal gambling websites from their search engine. In his written reply, Tau said the NGB has two personnel who…

Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton said team unity and passionate defence combined to produce “the greatest day of my life” as New Zealand were beaten 23-15 in the final of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Italy on Saturday night. It was the Baby Boks’ first victory in the tournament since 2012, when they also beat New Zealand – that time at Newlands. “I’m quite emotional, but I’m just so proud,” Norton said. “The amount of work that we put in after not a great U20 Rugby Championship … "Our backs were against the wall and we just came out and gave it everything. The group is unbelievable – the management, the coaches – we all pulled into a common idea. It wasn’t easy at times, but yes, this is…

The Third Meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) has committed to international policy cooperation, aimed at further promoting global prosperity. The gathering, which brought together finance leaders from the world's 20 largest economies, tackled critical shared challenges that have persisted in the wake of economic disruptions exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, rising geopolitical tensions, and sustainability concerns. During the discussions, which spanned two days, participants acknowledged the need for collaborative solutions that not only address immediate economic challenges but also lay the groundwork for long-term resilience and growth. The finance ministers and central bank governors recognised that only through coordinated efforts can nations effectively manage global economic uncertainties and ensure inclusive development. “FMCBG recognised the challenges posed by conflicts, geopolitical and trade tensions, disruptions to…

On August 1, 2025, South African exporters will wake up to a 30% tariff on all goods entering the United States, a decision announced by the administration of President Donald Trump. This is not a sector-specific sanction, nor the outcome of any formal trade dispute. It is a sweeping penalty imposed on all products, citing trade imbalances and regulatory barriers imposed by South Africa. But this is not the end of trade. It is the beginning of South Africa’s trade adolescence, the moment we decide to grow up or continue being disciplined by our “partners.” The justification provided by the US administration rests on the claim that South Africa runs a trade surplus with the United States. In truth, South Africa exported around R170 billion worth of goods to…

The past week there were international economic indicators and political news influencing the prospects of the South African economy. China is a key market for South African exports, and some good news is that the Chinese posted better-than-expected GDP growth for the second quarter. It grew by 2% year-on-year, which is slower than the first quarter’s 5.4%, but faster than expected. US tariffs are still in the news, but South Africa’s position remained uncertain with negotiations about the 30% tariff set for August 1 said to be ongoing. More broadly speaking, macroeconomic news from the US also influences us through the rand-dollar exchange rate and our repo rate decisions. Analysts are waiting to see some of the impact of the increased tariffs on US inflation, economic growth and employment, and…

The G20 finance ministers stressed Friday that central banks must remain independent, after months of escalating attacks by US President Donald Trump on Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell. It was the first communique under South Africa's G20 presidency and marked a rare consensus for a bloc jolted by the drastic trade policies of its richest member, the United States. "Central banks are strongly committed to ensuring price stability... and will continue to adjust their policies in a data-dependent manner," the group, whose members account for more than 80% of the world's economic output, said after a finance ministers' meeting in South Africa. "Central bank independence is crucial to achieving this goal," it said in the statement, also signed by the United States. Trump has repeatedly lashed out at Powell for…

Valterra Platinum, formerly Anglo American Platinum, directors said lower platinum group metal (PGM) production and demerger costs were the reasons for their expectation that headline earnings a share (HEPS) will decrease between 76% and 88% for the six months to June 30. Despite the sharply lower earnings forecast, Valterra’s share price surged 7.24% to R898.20 on Friday afternoon, bringing its gain in 12 months to over 47%. The increase was in line with a sharp 4.28% increase in the JSE Precious Metals & Mining Index at the same time. The share’s gain might also be reflecting the basket price increase of over 30% for PGMs, year-to-date. The group, which completed its demerger from Anglo American only this month, said in its first independent trading statement that HEPS would likely be…

Children from a church group were given a life-changing experience when they spent two nights at The Mercury Hibberdene Children’s Holiday Home as part of this year’s Mandela Day celebrations. Sherlock Sithole, who facilitates life skills at the home, said the initiative was more than just a holiday camp. “I plan programmes for visiting children’s schools, churches or orphanages. We provide activities and recreational programmes that will help them deal with challenges, but also to be entertained and sensitised, given the fact that all children have different challenges, but each one of them is able in a different way,” he said. Sithole said the holiday home hosts three free camps a year during the Easter, winter and December holidays. “Today we were hosting a group from Mthwalume and Pietermaritzburg. It…

The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs is warning of criminal conduct by individuals who are going to businesses claiming to be inspectors from the department. It said it has learnt that foreign nationals who operate spaza shops have been extorted by this group. The department said in a statement it “has noted with grave concern reports of illegal business inspections carried out in the KwaDukuza Local Municipality and other parts of the province by individuals fraudulently claiming to represent the department. “These unauthorised inspections were allegedly conducted under the guise of promoting compliance and enforcement for businesses, with the perpetrators using the department’s name and falsely citing endorsement from senior officials. This group is also accused of soliciting money from vulnerable spaza shop operators, many of whom…

MISSING 6-year-old Joshlin Smith’s mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, together with her kidnapping and human-trafficking accomplices, will appeal against their conviction and sentence in the Western Cape High Court next month. Jacquen Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn, and Smith were each handed a life imprisonment sentence after they were convicted on charges of trafficking in persons for exploitation and kidnapping of a child victim. It is believed that Joshlin was sold by her mother and her accomplices. There has been no trace of her since. They were sentenced on May 29 by Judge Nathan Erasmus after a marathon trial, which was heard over eight weeks, with two days of evidence and arguments in mitigation and aggravation of sentence. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, confirmed the appeal will be heard in…

FOR someone who has only played three T20 Internationals, Rubin Hermann is showing an impressive ability to assess both the conditions and match situation. It probably stems from Hermann having limited international experience but close to a decade of playing at every level domestically. This is certainly evident in the way Hermann manipulated the field initially before exploding during his 36-ball 63 (3x4, 5x6) that eased the Proteas to their 145-run target with seven wickets and 16 balls to spare against hosts Zimbabwe yesterday. The only blot on Hermann’s copybook was that he was not out in the middle when the winning runs were struck at the Harare Sports Club. “I think one thing we identified is that the new ball is quite tough on these wickets because there is…

Tim Wellens of UAE Team Emirates conquered the heat and hills of Stage 15 with a 45km solo charge to victory in Carcassonne yesterday, bringing home a fifth win for the dominant team at this year’s Tour de France. The Belgian, who had been part of an early breakaway, launched a decisive attack that caught his fellow escapees napping. From there, he built an unassailable lead on the approach to the walled citadel and had time to high-five dozens of Belgian fans on the run-in – the perfect prelude to Belgium’s national holiday. “It makes me happier than winning a stage myself,” said overall race leader Tadej Pogacar, who pointed to his yellow jersey and added, “He helps me keep this thing every day.” The victory completed a personal grand…

Trump’s statement triggers panic for countries trading with Russia, including South Africa The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) has sought to allay concerns regarding South Africa's trading relationship with Russia in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s recent tariff ultimatum. Following Trump’s statement that US imports from Russia could face a staggering 100% tariff if peace talks regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict do not bear fruit within 50 days, worries have mounted over what this means for countries engaging in commerce with Russia, including South Africa. Russia produces 10% of the world’s crude, and it has been able to sell oil through discounted sales to China, India, Brazil and Turkey. According to the International Energy Agency Russia earned $192 billion from oil sales last year despite western…

The KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union (Kwanalu) has intensified its calls for KwaZulu-Natal to be declared a disaster area, with concerns growing over the escalating Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak that threatens the province’s livestock sector. As the outbreak tightens its grip, affecting both rural families reliant on livestock for survival and established agribusinesses, Kwanalu believes urgent intervention is critical. In a statement released last week, Kwanalu underscored the dire situation faced by farmers across the province. Sandy La Marque, CEO of Kwanalu, said they were witnessing intense pressure across the board. La Marque said that in many rural communities, the sale of a single animal was a family’s only financial lifeline, but with movement restrictions in place, many find themselves caught between survival and legality. “Some of the country’s most…

In a world beset by geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, and economic uncertainty, equity markets have continued to surprise on the upside. For South African investors, the post - "Liberation Day" rally has revealed a hidden strength in local equities that defies the broader narrative of emerging market vulnerability. While global headlines have been dominated by tariff threats, war-driven commodity fluctuations, and the resilience of US markets, South Africa's own bourse has quietly delivered exceptional returns. Since the 2nd of April, now dubbed “Liberation Day”, the local and global equity markets have handled the turmoil like a champ. Despite, ongoing wars, oil price concerns and the renewed threat of steep tariffs from President Trump. The US equity market has continued to remain resilient and even rally since the last round of…

South African REIT, Hyprop Investments, on Friday formally entered the bidding for JSE-listed Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) retail and mixed-use property company MAS, by releasing the terms of a share and cash offer. Hyprop said its offer was better for MAS’ shareholders than the last offer by MAS’ major shareholder and joint venture partner Prime Kapital Investments (PKI) because voluntary bid participants in the Hyprop offer could expect to easily convert their share consideration into cash should they wish, after the deal is done. “This is in contrast to the unknown liquidity of the instruments being proposed for an offer to MAS shareholders in terms of the intended bid by PKI Limited,” Hyprop’s directors said. Hyprop and the PKI bids add to the MAS board's current complex workload, as…

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula yesterday defended the party against criticism that it has selectively applied its step-aside rule when it comes to the allegations raised against former Minister Senzo Mchunu, who was placed on a leave of absence by President Cyril Ramaphosa last week. Mbalula addressed the media during a short break at the ANC’s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting with the Provincial Executive Committee at the Cape Sun Hotel yesterday. The meeting forms part of the ANC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its organisational capacity and engage directly with structures of the movement across regions and districts. Mchunu, who was also present at the ANC’s NWC meeting, faces allegations of corruption and malfeasance that were made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. However, he was not asked to step…

RISE Against Hunger Africa’s Mandela Day campaign this year is a national initiative spanning 25 days with the goal of packing 2.5 million nutritious meals. This ambitious undertaking aims to support 225 Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres across South Africa for a full year, reinforcing the vital link between proper nutrition and early childhood education. The organisation said, rooted in the spirit of Nelson Mandela’s enduring legacy of service and social justice, the campaign encourages corporates to dedicate their time and resources to uplift underprivileged communities. The initiative invited South Africans to dedicate 67 minutes of their time in service, aligning with the spirit of Mandela Day and its global call to action. Corporate teams participated in coordinated meal-packing events across six major cities, directly supporting food security and education…

Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal are currently the provinces with the highest risk for cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies. In the first six months of the year, almost 100 CITs have been recorded in South Africa, according to the Cash-in-Transit Association of South Africa (Citasa). A provincial breakdown of these robberies revealed the following: Gauteng recorded the most incidents (34%), followed by KwaZulu-Natal (33%), North West (9%), Eastern Cape (8%), Western Cape (6%), Mpumalanga (5%), Limpopo (3%) and Free State (2%). Citasa head Grant Clark said there is a one percent difference between CIT robberies in Gauteng and KZN for the first six months of 2025. “CIT robbers execute CIT robberies across provincial borders,” Clark said. Clark said there had been a decline in CIT robberies, which can be attributed to several factors stemming…

manyane.manyane@inl.co.za Civil rights organisation, Amnesty International South Africa, has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to redirect the estimated R700 million allocated for the National Dialogue to more urgent needs of South Africans. The organisation has called for the funds to be invested in safeguarding and fulfilling the basic human rights of South African citizens. Ramaphosa formally announced the National Dialogue last month. It is intended to be a platform for reflection on the nation's current state, envisioning its future, and establishing the foundation for the upcoming National Development Plan. The process, scheduled for August 15, 2025, will unfold in phases, including local consultations and sectoral engagements, to provincial and national gatherings, over the period of a year. Ramaphosa also pointed out that this is a chance for South Africans to shape…

Scottie Scheffler romped to a magnificent four-shot victory to seal his first British Open title at Royal Portrush yesterday, notching his fourth Major success. The world No 1 eased to a three-under-par final round of 68, finishing on 17-under for the tournament after shooting in the 60s on all four days. It was the 10th successive time Scheffler has converted a 54-hole lead into a win. His dominance over the past two years has been such that, once he birdied the first hole, it seemed the chasing pack had already lost any belief of mounting a challenge. Scheffler, who took a lead he would never relinquish with a seven-under 64 on Friday, extended his run of consecutive top-10 finishes to 11 events. That streak now includes four wins, featuring the…

Golden Fireballs coach Dr Elsje Jordaan was thrilled to finally get the monkey off their backs with a thrilling victory over the Free State Crinums in yesterday’s Telkom Netball League final at the Durban ICC. The Gauteng side ensured the perfect end to a flawless season, having won every game en route to the grand finale, clinching a hard-fought 47-40 win over the defending champions. The result also offered redemption after falling at the semi-final stage in the past two seasons. “We’re very happy. We worked very hard for this, and to see how the players chipped in – and the management – it’s a great reward after a season of really hard work. So we’re really just grateful, thankful and proud,” Jordaan told Independent Media Sport after their titanic…