Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-12-18 i Mercury

Although all eyes are now on a ruling in which the US Supreme Court heard arguments over whether to overturn US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, SMEs have already felt severe pain. US media indicate that judges are now debating their decision, having wrapped up arguments last Monday. This will likely be scant relief for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa, given that they lost two-thirds of Black Friday demand as US tariffs hit hard, a new report shows. Over the past few weeks, several major companies – including Costco, Revlon, Bumble Bee Foods, and the producer of Ray-Ban – have joined small businesses in petitioning the US Court of International Trade to secure refunds if the Supreme Court overturns Trump’s tariffs. However, website Politico reported that companies…

JSE-listed miner fails to secure a new power supply deal with the country’s electricity provider Eskom could yet step in to save South32’s Mozal Aluminium smelter in Mozambique from being mothballed, after the JSE-listed miner failed to secure a new power supply agreement with the country’s electricity provider. South32, which also has manganese and aluminium assets in South Africa, controls 63.7% of Mozal Aluminium. The Mozambican operation is of significant interest for South Africa as the Industrial Development Corporation controls 32.4% of the entity while Maputo holds the remaining 3.9%. On Wednesday, South32 said that although it had continued to engage with the Mozambican government, power supplier Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB) and Eskom to seek sufficient and affordable electricity supply for Mozal beyond March 2026, it had not managed…

As we head into 2026 there is a lot of concern about equity market valuations. Comparisons are being drawn with the dotcom bubble of 1999-2000 due to significant investments being made by the hyperscalers into data centres and cloud infrastructure. At the same time many AI start-ups are loss making, with their valuations being boosted by vendor financing. Against this backdrop we’ve heard talk about canaries in coal mines, cockroaches (where one emerges there are usually many) and staying at the party for one last dance. But let’s leave analogies to one side and focus on our options. Firstly, equity valuations are expensive. They have been more expensive in the past and are not at extremes yet, but you could argue for taking some risk off the table. For example,…

Jubilee Metals Group has forecast copper unit production for its full 2026 financial year to be within 4 500 tons to 5 100 tons, depending on the extent of the rainy season, which is more than double the 2 211t produced in the 2025 year. The group that is focused on mining copper in Zambia, and is in the process of disposing of its chrome and platinum interests in South Africa, said Wednesday that earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation fell 7.1% to $27.7 million in the year to June 30, 2025, during a period of significant change as the group transitioned to focus on its copper interests. "The financial year to end-June was one of momentous change. Very soon, the company will become a pure play copper producer,…

Legal experts have criticised National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Advocate Shamila Batohi, saying her conduct has tainted her reputation and the integrity of her office in the eyes of the public. They believe the National Prosecutions Authority (NPA) was already seen as an organisation plagued by incapacity and her conduct reinforced that view. Batohi, walked out of the Nkabinde Inquiry that is investigating the fitness of Advocate Andrew Chauke to hold office. She left without even informing the chairperson of the commission, which led to the commission summoning her back and sparking a tense exchange between her and the leader of the inquiry. Her departure came after her public stature as the chief prosecutor of the country had taken a beating as she struggled to answer questions under intense…

The MEC for Education in the North West Province must pay slightly more than R2.8 million to the mother of a child who was stabbed in the eye by a fellow learner at school. The North West High Court, sitting in Mahikeng, earlier ruled that the education authorities are 100% liable for the child’s injuries as there was inadequate supervision by the teachers when the incident occurred. The matter was now back in court to determine the amount of damages to be awarded. A host of medical and other experts submitted reports to the court regarding the boy’s injuries and his prognosis. The court was informed that the child, who was injured while attending Seraleng Primary School, was a smart boy who consistently achieved high academic marks. His injury, however,…

The Department of Home Affairs has arrested seven Kenyan nationals for illegally working in South Africa while in possession of tourist visas, following an intelligence-driven operation in Johannesburg. According to a media statement issued yesterday, the operation was conducted in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies after intelligence reports indicated that Kenyan nationals had recently entered the country on tourist visas and taken up employment at a centre processing applications for “refugees” to the US. In October, it was reported that amid the diplomatic row with Pretoria, the US had upended decades of refugee and humanitarian policy. In a formal Presidential Determination dated 30 September 2025, published in the Federal Register, President Donald Trump set a ceiling of 7,500 refugees for the 2026 fiscal year – the lowest limit in…

Enzo Maresca said he appreciated the backing of Chelsea's fans after they sang his name during Tuesday's 3-1 win at Cardiff in the League Cup quarter-finals. Chelsea moved into the semi-finals thanks to Alejandro Garnacho's double and a Pedro Neto strike, after David Turnbull had equalised for League One leaders Cardiff. The Blues did not have it all their own way in a hard-fought clash, but reaching a third semi-final in 18 months provided further evidence of Maresca's impact since he arrived from Leicester in 2024. It was a well-timed victory after Maresca admitted following Saturday's 2-0 win over Everton that the previous 48 hours had been his worst at Stamford Bridge because he and his team lacked "support" from "many people". The Italian's comments had fuelled speculation he was…

While it was all fun and games watching the Proteas Women put together their highest ODI total at St George’s Park in Gqeberha earlier this week, the cricket on display was mediocre, and probably their worst game this year. A quick glance at the Proteas Women scorecard during the second limited overs match against Ireland on Reconciliation Day would leave many with smiles on their faces. Proteas Women captain Laura Wolvaardt brought up her 12th One Day century, top-order batter Sune Luus brought up her second career century, while former captain Dane van Niekerk blasted 88 off just 47. These are numbers that would lead many to believe that the squad is continuing from where they left off in this year’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, where they reached the…

Parkhill BC’s monthly Friday morning Ladies Trips has firmly established itself as one of the most enjoyable and well-supported competitions on the district calendar. Known as the Smith Guerra Ladies Trips, the 2025 competition regularly attracted an impressive 22 teams, including many of Port Natal Bowls’ top district players. Sponsored by Cameron Smith, an enthusiastic Parkhill social member, the competition is held on the last Friday of every month and offers the perfect balance of friendly rivalry and serious bowls. Its popularity lies not only in the strong fields it attracts, but also in a format designed to keep every game competitive. Teams play three sets of seven ends, with two points awarded per set and four points for the overall result, ensuring that focus and teamwork are rewarded throughout…

Tongaat Hulett's business rescue practitioners won’t be able to avoid paying sugar levies after the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that these payments are a legal requirement. The sugar producer and its property arm voluntarily entered business rescue at the end of 2022, after the board found the companies in financial distress due to a working capital shortfall of around R1.5 billion. Since then, the implementation of the rescue plan has faced several challenges, including missed funding deadlines. Each month, the business rescue practitioners repeat that they believe the company can still be rescued. They say they continue to advance the Amended Business Rescue Plan, which was approved by the required majority of creditors at the end of January 2024. As part of the process, the practitioners tried to pause…

Annual consumer price inflation (CPI) eased slightly to 3.5% in November, down from 3.6% in October, reinforcing expectations that inflation is moving closer to the South African Reserve Bank’s (Sarb) new 3% target and increasing the likelihood of interest rate cuts next year. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) released the latest data on Wednesday, showing that price pressures continue to moderate, supported by lower fuel prices and a stronger rand. Nicolaas van der Wath, senior economist at the Bureau for Economic Research (BER), said the decline was encouraging. “The 0.1% month-on-month drop is also good news, and inflation is heading in the right direction towards the 3% target announced by the Sarb. We have seen petrol prices remain relatively lower, which has contributed to the drop in inflation,” he said.…

South Africa’s electricity reform programme has reached a point that few would have predicted five years ago. Market rules are being finalised, grid access frameworks have been approved, a market operator has been licensed, the Independent Transmission Programme participation shortlist has been published and new generation continues to connect at pace. From a purely technical perspective, the system is beginning to stabilise. Yet this moment of progress carries a less discussed risk. Electricity reform can succeed on paper and still fail to deliver the economic outcomes the country urgently needs. Availability alone does not guarantee growth. A system can keep the lights on while remaining too expensive, too rigid, or too poorly aligned with industrial demand to support recovery. For more than a decade, South Africa’s electricity debate was dominated…

Bhutan said Wednesday it will invest $1 billion from national cryptocurrency reserves to develop a "Mindfulness City", which it hopes will become an economic hub for the tiny Himalayan nation. Buddhist-majority Bhutan, squeezed between giants India and China, champions a policy of prioritising "Gross National Happiness" over growth. But that has not helped the government deal with widespread unemployment, forcing thousands of young people to leave the country. As part of broader efforts to reverse that trend by soliciting foreign investment, the landlocked kingdom in 2023 announced much-hyped plans for its "Gelephu Mindfulness City" (GMC), a special economic zone close to the Indian border. Carbon-negative Bhutan has also aggressively promoted hydropower projects, earning substantial revenue by exporting electricity to energy-hungry India. At the same time it has utilised the cheap…

Global food prices declined for a third consecutive month in November, driven by lower international prices for most major food commodities, according to the latest Food Price Index released by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations. FAO said the Food Price Index averaged 125.1 points in November, representing a 1.2% decline from its revised October level. The index now stands 2.1% lower than in November 2024 and is 21.9% below its peak reached in March 2022. The overall decline was led by lower prices for vegetable oils, meat, dairy and sugar, while cereals were the only major category to record an increase during the month. FAO added that the Cereal Price Index increased by 1.3 percent during the month. “Despite a generally comfortable global supply outlook…

In a heartfelt tribute to her slain husband, Leanne van der Merwe, the wife of Marius van der Merwe, remembered her husband as a loving, caring father, and superhero to his children. Van der Merwe, the former Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) reservist, also known as Witness D at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, was gunned down on the driveway of his Brakpan home on Friday, December 5, just after 8pm. His tragic assassination came just weeks after his testimony at the Madlanga Commission, with speculation still rife on the reasons behind his alleged hit. “Where do I begin? Our story started online with you and the boys. I knew then that our lives would be fated. We have lived our best and worst times, and through good and bad,…

Traffic authorities arrested 1,478 motorists for drunk driving in recent nationwide operations, as the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and AWARE.org launched a zero-tolerance campaign ahead of South Africa’s busiest travel period. The arrests were among 2,719 made during the period between December 1-13 which represents an 8.7% overall increase compared with the same period last year. The highest number of arrests for drunk driving were recorded in the Northern Cape, North West and Eastern Cape. KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Limpopo, the Western Cape, Free State and Mpumalanga followed. The figures come as authorities warn that the festive season remains the deadliest period on South Africa’s roads. During the 2024/25 festive season, nearly 10,000 motorists were arrested for drunk driving, while 1,589 people died in 1,286 fatal crashes between 1 December 2024…

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has announced a recall of certain Domestos Lemon and Summer Fresh 750ml cleaning products after a packaging defect was identified that could cause bottles to leak. According to the NCC, the affected products were manufactured between August and September 2025, and some bottles may have a pinhole at the base, which can lead to spillage and potential skin or surface contact. “According to Unilever, some bottles may have a pinhole defect at the bottom, which can cause leakage when pressure is applied. This may result in product spillage and potential skin or surface contact,” the consumer watchdog. “The suppliers have begun removing affected stock from stores and warehouses and are collaborating with their packaging supplier to prevent the defect from recurring.” Consumers who have purchased…

In a victory for consumer rights protection, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruled that a woman who had returned the 2012 Ford Ranger she had bought for her son but had the wrong gearbox fitted was within her rights to do so. FirstRand Bank, which financed the vehicle under a credit agreement, objected and said she had waived her right to cancel the financing agreement by first sending the vehicle for repairs. It argued that the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) did not apply to the transaction. The High Court earlier agreed with the bank and ruled against purchaser Aletta van Niekerk. She subsequently turned to the SCA, which in turn ruled that Van Niekerk did not waive her common law rights. It found that her reliance on the legal…

Sometimes it takes one decisive leader to make a difference CHURCH bells rang in unison, at midday on Friday, from Cape Town to George, Bloemfontein to Mdantsane, crescendoing in Soweto at Holy Cross Anglican Church right over the iconic Hector Pieterson Memorial site. The church and the memorial site are separated only by a small street as a reminder that wherever there is pain, the church is near to bring a balm of healing, to speak hope in times of doom, to reconcile during times of division, to lift up the heads of those who are bowed down, to speak life when death visits, and to hold up the lamp of God’s word when the truth eludes us. Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA) mobilised more than 700…

In South African cricket, we could have a world-class player scoring runs and taking a bunch of wickets every season in domestic cricket, all for them to never don the green and gold. Some go on to play for South Africa but find themselves back in domestic cricket, as it is incredibly difficult to be a regular in the Proteas setup. This is not a matter of mismanagement, but a matter of the abundance of talent. Had the likes of Colin Ingram hailed from countries such as New Zealand or even England, they probably would have had longer international careers. However, at the time, there were the likes of AB de Villiers, JP Duminy and Jacques Kallis making up the top- to middle-order in white-ball cricket. Proteas wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton…

Men’s tennis world No 1Carlos Alcaraz announced yesterday that he has split from his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero after seven hugely successful years together, with assistant coach Samuel Lopez set to take over. Alcaraz has won six Grand Slam titles among his 24 tour-level trophies under the guidance of fellow Spaniard Ferrero, including this year’s French Open and US Open. The 22-year-old ends the season as world No 1 after claiming eight tournaments in 2025, highlighted by his dramatic victory over Jannik Sinner in Paris. “It is very difficult to write this post,” Alcaraz said, on social media, alongside photos of the pair embracing. “After more than seven years together, ‘Juanki’ and I have decided to end our story together as coach and player. Thank you for making the dreams…

Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin and Botswana clash in a mix of giants and underdogs at Afcon 2025. Senegal head into the tournament as favourites, DRC bring a talented squad to challenge, while Benin and Botswana will be looking to cause surprises and make their mark on the continental stage. SENEGAL CAF Ranking: 2nd Coach: Pape Thiaw Player to watch: Nicolas Jackson Best performance: Champions 2021 Tournament prediction: Semi-finals The Lions of Teranga are hot favourites to win a second title, going into the tournament with an impressive world record run of 22 unbeaten matches. This could well be Sadio Mané’s swansong on the biggest continental stage, and the former Liverpool superstar would love nothing more than to bow out in glory. It is doable, given just how strong…

Tsebo Solutions Group has acquired Flick Pest Control for an undisclosed sum as part of its strategy to build a fully integrated, compliance-driven national service platform. The acquisition strengthens Tsebo’s Cleaning, Hygiene and Pest Control division and significantly expands its capacity to deliver pest management solutions across both commercial and domestic markets. It comes at a time when organisations face increasing regulatory and public scrutiny around hygiene standards, food safety and environmental compliance. As part of the transaction, the workplace management provider has acquired Flick’s established brand portfolio, including Pestmaster KwaZulu-Natal, Fumigation and Marine Services (FMS), and Contractokil Environmental Services in the Western Cape. Flick’s expertise spans a wide range of pest risks, including rodents, termites, cockroaches, flies, bed bugs and birds. The addition of FMS’s fumigation capabilities further strengthens…

US President Donald Trump has issued a sweeping new proclamation expanding and tightening restrictions on the entry of foreign nationals from dozens of countries, arguing that persistent failures in screening, vetting and information-sharing pose unacceptable risks to national security and public safety. The proclamation, signed on Tuesday and set to take effect on January 1, 2026, builds on earlier measures taken during Trump’s first term and reinstated early in his second administration through Executive Order 14161 and Proclamation 10949. Trump said the updated restrictions follow extensive interagency reviews and continued engagement with foreign governments that, in many cases, failed to address long-standing deficiencies. “It is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from terrorist attacks and other national security and public safety threats,” Trump said, adding that…

More South Africans are moving between jobs, unemployment, and economic inactivity than they did five years ago, according to Statistics South Africa, pointing to a labour market that is becoming less settled. Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey shows that 91.8% of people who were employed in the third quarter of 2024 were still employed in the fourth quarter. In 2019, the figure was 94.0%. While the decline is small, it shows that fewer people are staying in the same job status from one quarter to the next. A similar pattern is seen among people who were not economically active. In 2024, just under nine out of ten people who were not working and not looking for work remained in that position three months later, down slightly from 2019.…

Anglo American and Teck Resources have detailed commitments they made to the Canadian government, including plans to spend about R121.7 billion over 15 years, as part of their receiving approval from that government for their merger under the Investment Canada Act. The merger, announced first on September 9, is expected to provide "exceptional and enduring benefits for Canada, founded upon establishing a global critical minerals champion headquartered in Canada," a statement from the group said Wednesday. Anglo America's share price gained 2% on the JSE Wednesday around midday to R851.71, which with a 53.6% gain in the price over 12 months, is evidence of investor support for the deal. Anglo American and Teck committed to spend at least C$4.5bn (about R54.8bn) in Canada in 5 years, including for the Highland…

Findings from the preliminary investigation into the four-storey building collapse at Redcliffe, Verulam point to “serious lapses” in construction, including concerns over structural integrity, substandard materials, and possible regulatory violations, Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson said yesterday. It is understood that an extension under construction at the New Ahobilam Temple of Protection at River Range Ranch collapsed last Friday afternoon while concrete was being poured. Five people died. The municipality has previously said that the structure did not have approved building plans. Vic Panday, founder of the New Ahobilam Temple of Protection, senior devotee Vasudeva Datta Das, electrician Jayseelan Perumal and an unidentified worker died in the collapse. The Post newspaper reported that Kishore Hurribhujan, a local farmer also died in the incident. Macpherson, who stressed that the findings were…

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) unanimously passed the Immigration Amendment Bill yesterday, paving the way for its submission to President Cyril Ramaphosa for final assent. This legislation comes in response to a ruling by the Constitutional Court in June 2017, which mandated Parliament to amend the Immigration Act within 24 months due to its unconstitutional elements. The court had held that the Act was unconstitutional because it did not require an automatic judicial review of a detention before 30 calendar days expired. It had also noted that the Act did not require that a detainee be informed of his or her rights, in particular, the right to legal representation by a lawyer of their own choice or to be assigned one at State expense if substantial injustice would otherwise…

KwaZulu-Natal police and municipal crime prevention units have recorded a series of drug-related arrests in Durban, Verulam, and Umzinto over the past week, resulting in the seizure of cocaine, heroin, and crystal meth valued at more than R1.6 million. In Durban, Metro Police Tactical Support Unit members arrested a 59-year-old Nigerian national during routine crime prevention operations at Blue Lagoon. According to the Durban Metro Police Service, officers “observed a Nigerian national behaving suspiciously” during patrols. “A search led to the arrest of a 59-year-old Nigerian male for possession of approximately 100 grams of cocaine, with an estimated street value of R40 000,” the statement said. The suspect was handed over to Durban Central SAPS for further investigation. Metro Police said the arrest formed part of its ongoing crackdown…

Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has conceded that rising electricity prices are placing a heavy burden on households and businesses across the country. Ramokgopa said this in a parliamentary response to African National Congress (ANC) MP Fasiha Hassan, who asked him what the government was doing to reduce electricity costs and address energy poverty. Hassan also asked him what concrete actions and policy measures had been developed to bring down electricity costs and protect vulnerable households following recent tariff increases. Ramokgopa said the government is taking a range of measures to address rising electricity costs and energy poverty. “The Department of Electricity and Energy acknowledges that the rising cost of electricity presents a serious challenge to households, businesses, and the broader economy,” he said. “The Department remains committed…

SOUTH Africa once again finds itself at a familiar crossroads. Growth versus transformation. Investment versus principle. Urgency versus process. The immediate spark is Elon Musk’s Starlink, along with reports that the government may soften Black Economic Empowerment requirements to fast-track its entry. But this debate is far bigger than satellite internet. It goes to the heart of constitutional governance and asks a simple but uncomfortable question: are our laws binding, or are they negotiable for those with enough power and influence? In a constitutional democracy, ministers do not make or unmake laws. They execute them. Parliament legislates. The executive implements. This separation is not academic theory. It is the guardrail that prevents arbitrary governance. If a minister uses policy discretion to rewrite BEE ownership requirements, that is not flexibility but…

South African derbies in the United Rugby Championship (URC) rarely hinge on moments of individual brilliance alone. When the Sharks and Bulls meet, the outcome is usually shaped by whose forwards are dominating the scrum and line-out, the breakdown battle and the kicking game. This weekend’s clash at Kings Park in Durban (6pm kick-off) will be no different. Here, we look at five key areas that could determine the outcome. Scrum ascendancy No local derby starts anywhere but in the tight exchanges up-front. The scrum remains central to the Bulls’ playing style. Their ability to generate penalties and apply scoreboard and territorial pressure through set-piece dominance is one of their most reliable weapons. Early scrum success allows them to dictate the tempo, often forcing opponents into a reactive mindset. For…

Bafana Bafana appear to have covered most of their bases as they head into the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), which gets underway this Sunday in Morocco, with optimism steadily building around Hugo Broos’ side. Fresh off a 1–0 friendly victory over a second-string Ghana outfit, South Africa arrive at the tournament in encouraging form and with growing belief. While the friendly served mainly as a tune-up, it underlined the sense that Broos and his squad are well prepared, both tactically and mentally, for the challenge that lies ahead. After finishing third at the previous AFCON, Bafana now carry a reputation as one of the continent’s more settled and competitive sides. There is also renewed talk of emulating the class of 1996 and possibly even going a step further. With…

As 2025 draws to a close, the Premiership table reflects a season of highs, lows, and surprises. From clubs battling relegation to those chasing silverware, the year has delivered drama, standout performances, and lessons for the months ahead. Here, we take a club-by-club look at how each side performed in this year, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and what fans can expect as the league resumes in 2026. 16 Chippa United Chippa’s reputation for living on the edge has resurfaced once again, with the Chilli Boys rooted to the bottom of the table. They are one of three teams to have reached the halfway mark of the season and find themselves paying the price for ongoing instability. Vusumuzi Vilakazi is the latest man tasked with guiding them to safety, becoming the…