Innehållsförteckning för 2025-10-29 från Mercury

Engineering and construction group Murray & Roberts Limited (MRL) has confirmed that the Gauteng High Court granted a final liquidation order for its parent company, Murray & Roberts Holdings (MRH), on Monday. In a statement on Tuesday, MRL emphasised that the liquidation of MRH would not affect its ongoing business rescue process, as the two entities are legally and operationally distinct. While MRH functioned as the ultimate holding company, MRL operates as a downstream subsidiary with several intermediary entities between them. The company said the liquidation of MRH does not impact the business rescue proceedings of MRL, which continue firmly on track under the supervision of the duly appointed Business Rescue Practitioners. MRL entered voluntary business rescue on 22 November 2024, following severe liquidity constraints linked to project delays and…

Anglo American pressing ahead with sweeping portfolio simplification and assets disposal Anglo American has reported steady copper production and stronger operational performance across its key mining assets as the company presses ahead with a sweeping portfolio simplification, including the disposal of its diamond and platinum interests. The diversified miner on Tuesday said improved copper grades and higher output from its Quellaveco and Los Bronces operations helped offset a temporary lower production phase at the Collahuasi mine in Chile, which is expected to recover by the end of next year. Duncan Wanbald, CEO of Anglo American, said that in copper, strong operational momentum and higher grades at both Quellaveco and Los Bronces underpinned performance, offsetting the current lower production phase at Collahuasi. Copper production for the quarter to the end of…

In the digital economy, data is often described as the new oil. Unlike oil, data cannot simply be extracted, traded, and refined without exposing nations to profound risks. For as long as South Africa’s and Africa’s data resides in hyperscale data centres owned by the United States or China, that data is not safe from infiltration by either power. The uncomfortable truth is that both Washington and Beijing have given themselves the legal instruments to pry into the data stored by their technology giants, whether that data belongs to their citizens or not. In 2018, the United States passed the Cloud Act (Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act). This legislation compels US-based technology companies including Microsoft (Azure), Amazon (AWS), Google, and others, to essentially hand over data under their…

Planet Earth is in the Anthropocene, an era during which we as a species have had a substantial impact on our only habitat. Despite the denialism and counter-information, we are in a new geological age characterised by the dominance of human activity reshaping the planet’s systems, disrupting climates patterns, altering water cycles, and straining ecosystems whilst recalibrating economic spaces and decimating human settlements. One area that everyone is paying attending to is water. Water, which remains a common dominator in the just transition, due to its multifaceted role in climate change mitigation, and its significance in adaptation strategies. In many places, our water management architecture suffers from fragmentation and uneven implementation, inequitable resource allocation and chronic capacity constraints. As an example, South Africa’s Strategic Water Source Areas (SWSAs),…

The October Health 2025 report estimates that mental health issues in South Africa are more costly than either crime or social grants. It estimates a R250 billion cost as the result of 452 million lost work hours per year. On an individual level, this lack of support results in a tragic 253 suicide attempts per day. No one is immune from mental health issues, but there are several factors that make entrepreneurs particularly susceptible. If they have employees, entrepreneurs bear the weight of responsibility for multiple livelihoods, but even if they work alone, they are responsible to their customers and families. They are time-stressed, cash-stressed, and often lack a network they can confide in. The pressure to secure cashflow and pay salaries, nth after month, can wear entrepreneurs down…

A political firestorm has erupted in the country, exposing deep ideological differences within the Government of National Unity (GNU), following the DA’s controversial launch of a billboard on Johannesburg's bustling N1 highway. The billboard, emblazoned with the provocative slogan “BEE made ANC elites rich, and left SA poor. Choose real opportunities for all! Vote DA,” has drawn the immediate condemnation of the ANC, signaling a renewed clash between the GNU’s two largest political entities. The public statement by the DA, which took aim directly at the ANC’s flagship Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy, has effectively reignited long-standing debates about economic transformation and redress in a country still grappling with the profound legacies of apartheid. Mat Cuthbert, the DA’s head of policy, defended the billboard's message. “This advertisement is telling…

THE Gauteng High Court, Pretoria is set to hand down its ruling soon in a matter argued this week regarding the publication of this year's matric results. Judgment was reserved yesterday. Matric pupils are currently writing the National Senior Certificate Examinations with marking expected to commence late in early December. Results are expected to be released to pupils in early 2026. At issue before the court is whether the media, particularly newspapers, should publish the results. In recent years, the media has published the results which only shows a pupil's unique exam number alongside the results. However the Information Regulator (IR) has argued that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) is in breach of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). It had prohibited the DBE from publishing last year's…

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) and the Department of Transport yesterday launched the entity’s renewable energy project and unveiled its 300th train set in Durban. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy said these achievements are part of a broader, determined effort by the government to rebuild passenger rail as a reliable, efficient, and inclusive mode of transportation that supports the economy, creates jobs, and uplifts communities such as those in the eThekwini region. “The Solar Renewable Energy Project launched today is one of Prasa’s most forward-looking initiatives, spearheaded by its subsidiary Intersite to transform how we power our operations. These systems will reduce the agency’s dependence on the national grid, improve operational reliability during power disruptions, and significantly lower the carbon footprint of rail operations,” Creecy said. She said…

A MAN who was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for assaulting his fiancée has had his appeal on sentence dismissed by the Pietermaritzburg High Court. The man had said in his appeal that the sentence was harsh. In 2023, the perpetrator, Philani Mcebo Zondi, went for a drive with his fiancée. They had been drinking, and he reportedly fell asleep in his parked car due to intoxication. Upon waking, his fiancée was gone, so he drove to her residence to look for her. There, he saw his fiancée getting out of a Toyota Quantum belonging to her ex-boyfriend. Zondi grabbed a wheel spanner and assaulted the ex-boyfriend. As the ex-boyfriend fled, Zondi deliberately put the Quantum in motion, jumped out and allowed it to crash into a bush, causing damage.…

There was a time not too long ago that the Proteas Women’s team reaching a major ICC tournament semi-final was an achievement. Now, it’s almost expected, with today’s playoff in Guwahati being the Proteas’ third consecutive ODI World Cup semi-final appearance against the self-same England. Laura Wolvaardt’s side have also advanced past the semi-finals in successive T20 World Cups. One of those T20 semi-final victories was achieved over England in Cape Town two years ago, which helped exact revenge for the defeats in the longer ODI format in Bristol (2017) and Christchurch (2022). “We’ve had some success in ICC tournaments, so yeah I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Wolvaardt said. “Hopefully we’re able to learn from those semi-final victories that we’ve got and maybe stay a bit calmer under pressure.”…

Who can ever forget the groundbreaking achievements that the Proteas Women have pulled off in the last three years? Two back-to-back T20 World Cup finals – one at home in 2023 and another in the United Arab Emirates a year ago – paint a vivid picture of a unit on its way to achieving even bigger things in the near future. Perhaps the biggest achievement was beating Australia in the semi-final of the 2024 T20 World Cup in the UAE. Everybody knows just how near impossible it is to beat Australia in World Cups, and moreso in the knockout stages. However, this Proteas Women’s team defied the odds and pulled off a victory that will be remembered as the turning point in South African women’s cricket. Today, Proteas captain Laura…

South African swimmer Rebecca Meder is looking forward to next year’s Commonwealth Games after the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup campaign proved she is “becoming more and more competitive against the world’s best.” The 23-year-old Olympian from KwaZulu-Natal emerged with four bronze medals from the three stops on the series that concluded with the final leg in Toronto, Canada, at the weekend, finishing 16th overall. On Saturday, she produced a strong final 25m to claim third in the 100m breaststroke in Toronto in a time of 1:04.48. The race was won by overall series champion Kate Douglass of the US in 1:02.93. Meder’s other results in Toronto included fourth in the 200m breaststroke (2:18.81), fifth in the 200m individual medley (2:05.83) and sixth in the 100m individual medley (58.81 seconds).…

Old Mutual on Tuesday said it had acquired a majority stake in 10X Investments (10X) from Old Mutual Private Equity (OMPE), part of Old Mutual Alternative Investments, and DiGAME Investments (DiGAME) for R2.2 billion. 10X is one of South Africa’s fastest-growing investment firms, with assets under management (AUM) at more than R68bn, servicing over 60 000 clients, with a market-leading position in net flows into passive products, ETFs and smart beta solutions. Old Mutual said this marked an important next step in the company’s evolution as a leader in passive, technology-enabled investment solutions in South Africa. The 10X management will retain a significant stake in the business. The transaction is subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals, with completion expected in the second quarter of 2026. In 2014, OMPE and…

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRrasa) marked a major step in its modernisation and sustainability drive on Tuesday with the launch of its Solar Renewable Energy Project and the unveiling of Train Set 300 — known as Isitimela Sabantu (The People’s Train) in Durban. Presiding over the launch, Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy said the twin milestones symbolised a new direction for passenger rail in South Africa — one that places sustainability, reliability, and community development at its core. “As we transition towards a modern transport system, sustainability must be at the heart of everything we do. The Solar Renewable Energy Project launched today is one of PRASA’s most forward-looking initiatives, spearheaded by its subsidiary Intersite to transform how we power our operations,” she said. Creecy said solar…

HSBC reported falling quarterly profits Tuesday, with the banking giant's bottom line weighed down by legal provisions related to the late Bernard Madoff's huge investment fraud. The London-headquartered lender revealed the $1 billion-plus fallout Monday amid a Luxembourg lawsuit dating back to 2009, when Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison for running a pyramid-style scheme. HSBC's chief executive Georges Elhedery praised the Asia-focused group's underlying performance during the third quarter "despite taking legal provisions related to historical matters", he said in the earnings statement. Revenue rose 5 percent to $17.8 billion on higher customer activity, HSBC said. But net profit slid 21 percent to $4.87 billion in the July-September period compared with the third quarter of 2024. Pre-tax profit was also down, falling 14 percent to $7.3 billion.…

Kumba Iron Ore, the Anglo American–owned iron ore producer, has reported improved logistics stability and operational efficiency despite slightly lower output for the third quarter of 2025. Chief executive Mpumi Zikalala said on Tuesday that the company’s performance benefited from enhanced equipment efficiency and operating stability, even as total production for the quarter to end-September declined by 2% year-on-year to 9.2 million tons. Zikalala said performance was driven by a combination of the business reconfiguration impact in 2024 and improved equipment efficiency and operating times in the third quarter of 2025. Parent company Anglo American’s quarterly iron ore production dipped by 9% to 14.3 million tons, weighed down by lower output from Kumba as well as from its Minas-Rio operation in Brazil. Over the period under review, total waste mining…

Balwin Properties' profit increased by a robust 33% to R102.4 million in the six months to August 31 after improved sentiment in the investor and homebuying market, the directors of the JSE-listed large-scale sectional title residential estates developer said on Tuesday. Revenue was up 44% to R1.2 billion. Headline earnings a share increased 29% to 20.91 cents. The number of apartments sold and recognised in revenue increased year-on-year to 928 from 640 that were recognised in revenue in the first six months of the prior financial year. There was also a recovery in pre-sold apartments not recognised in revenue to 1 028, from 743 in the first half of the financial year. Balwin Annuity added a strong bottom line contribution, after it increased revenue by 55% to R101.5m, mainly from…

South Africa’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) greylist has elicited sharply contrasting reactions within the nation's political sphere. While the ANC hails this as a major achievement, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) has adopted a guarded, even critical, stance. The ANC, in a statement brimming with optimism, hailed the announcement as a “direct outcome of decisive and coordinated action” across various government entities and the financial sector. “South Africa’s removal from the greylist is a vote of confidence in our country's reform agenda and in our determination to ensure accountability, transparency, and ethical governance,” the party wrote in a statement. The ANC emphasised that the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows must remain a national priority to safeguard democracy and ensure public resources benefit all…

The secretary of the National Freedom Party (NFP)’s national deployment committee, Zoe Mtshali, has allayed fears regarding the removal of the KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga. This comes after NFP president Ivan Barnes’s statement on Sunday, where he announced that his party was withdrawing confidence in Premier Thami Ntuli, a move that Shinga publicly distanced herself from. The NFP forms part of the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) along with the IFP, DA and ANC. Barnes also stated that his party would back the uMkhonto weSizwe Party’s (MKP) motion of no confidence against Ntuli. Shinga denied knowledge of such a decision. Mtshali also disputed Barnes' comment regarding this move, saying that there is no party resolution to abandon the GPU. She also clarified that there is no decision to…

Stellenbosch University has acknowledged that students in its Department of Animal Sciences blocked a sheep’s nostrils and mouth with their hands during a feed experiment — an act now confirmed to have violated the institution’s approved animal research protocols. The incident, which came to light following a report in Farmer’s Weekly Magazine, prompted an investigation by the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA). The magazine alleged that students at the university’s experimental farm had nearly suffocated sheep using plastic bags to make them urinate and defecate as part of studies analysing their feed intake. A whistleblower also claimed that some animals had, at times, been left without food or water. In a statement released on October 21, Stellenbosch University (SU) confirmed that its internal…

The welfare of three children has become the deciding factor in a Western Cape High Court's decision to deny bail for the third time to their father, who stands accused of murdering their mother. Acting Judge Roy Barendse emphasised that the children's best interests must take precedence in this case, where the accused allegedly shot his wife three times over suspicions of infidelity. Barendse said that, while not absolute, the best interests of a child are paramount in any case that affects a child. In the most recent bail bid, the court highlighted that the current location of the children — aged 18, 14 and 12 —was uncertain. “It is not clear where the minor children are currently living, whether a family member other than the eldest sibling is living…

With the fourth edition of the SA20 about two months away, domestic players will have an opportunity to hone their skills before the big show starts as the Cricket South Africa T20 Challenge gets under way today. The tournament will run until November, 30 which is less than a month away from the first fixture of the SA20, which will see the defending champions MI Cape Town take on Durban’s Super Giants on Boxing Day at Newlands in Cape Town. To get the T20 Challenge underway, last season’s runners-up, the Titans, will travel to Pietermaritzburg to take on the Division One newbies, the Tuskers, at the City Oval. Following what has been a dismal start to the season for the Centurion-based Titans, which saw them lose all four of their…

Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze says his side must capitalise on the momentum gained from qualifying for the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup, believing the achievement can serve as a platform to build stronger performances for the rest of the season. Amakhosi sealed their spot in the group stages of Africa’s secondary club competition with a 3-1 aggregate win over DRC outfit AS Simba. With momentum firmly behind them, their attention now turns to the Betway Premiership, where they will look to build on that success and improve their recent run of form. Chiefs travel to the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday night (7.30pm kick-off) to face Durban City in a clash that could provide another opportunity to turn progress into consistency. Having struggled to convert chances this…

BAIC South Africa confirmed on Tuesday that the all-new BAIC B30 SUV will be assembled locally at the company’s Coega facility in Gqeberha, marking another significant step in the brand’s long-term commitment to the South African market. The announcement follows the B30’s dynamic first showing at the Festival of Motoring 2025 and comes ahead of its official national launch in November 2025. It said the local assembly will begin shortly after launch, reinforcing BAIC’s strategy to build key models on South African soil and expand the plant’s production footprint. “Localising the B30 is about more than manufacturing - it’s about investing in people, skills, and a sustainable automotive future for South Africa,” said Ameena Hassan, the Brand & PR Manager at BAIC South Africa. “Our Coega facility was built to…

South Africa stands at a crossroads, grappling with challenges that have tested the nation’s spirit and integrity. Yet, within this climate of uncertainty lies a remarkable opportunity: to reclaim the country’s tradition of moral leadership on the global stage. As the country waits for the launch of King V, the next evolution in corporate governance, we are called to consider not just rules and compliance, but the deeper values that define who we are - and who we aspire to become. This is a moment to reflect on the boardroom’s power to shape a future rooted in both responsibility and hope. When the Institute of Directors in South Africa (IoDSA) unveils King V on October 31, 2025, it will not just be another chapter—it will be a defining moment in…

South Africa’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force greylist in October 2025 was widely welcomed as a key milestone for the country’s financial system and international reputation. However, for households already drowning in debt, the path to financial recovery remained uncertain. The FATF confirmed that South Africa had addressed all 22 action items required to restore global compliance with anti money laundering and counter terrorist financing standards. The global watchdog noted “sustained progress in strengthening institutions and improving enforcement,” marking the end of almost three years of heightened monitoring and risk perception. While the announcement boosted confidence across financial markets, experts cautioned that the real test would be whether struggling families experienced any meaningful improvement. Neil Roets, CEO of Debt Rescue, said the removal restored credibility, but attention now…

South Africa faces several near-term challenges that will define its energy landscape up to 2030. Global demand growth has accelerated renewable energy development, but in South Africa, electricity demand has declined steadily since 2011. Ending load-shedding alone has not been enough to reverse this trend. The electricity system has now shifted into an oversupply phase. This is evidenced by high reserve margins, the cold storage of generation units, and the curtailment of photovoltaic generation during certain hours. At the same time, renewable energy projects continue to be built at pace and will likely continue until at least 2030. Eskom’s electricity availability factor continues to improve, and no coal-fired power station decommissioning is planned before March 2030, after which closures may follow a phased approach. The question is not how to…

CRIME and policing expert Mary De Haas has rubbished claims that prominent whistleblower Thabiso Zulu refused state protection when he was being threatened. The claims surfaced recently when former police minister Bheki Cele testified before the Ad Hoc Committee. De Haas lashed out at Cele, stating that he has no credibility on the issue and should not be taken seriously. Zulu was a close friend of slain ANC councillor in Umzimkhulu, Sindiso Magaqa, who was killed for exposing corruption in the municipality. Zulu has been on a campaign to ensure that those implicated in Magaqa’s murder are held to account. As a result, his own life has been threatened, and he has faced attempted assassination. High-profile individuals have been arrested in connection with Magaqa’s murder, including ANC heavyweight and former…

Gauteng police have failed to provide updates in the social media abuse case opened by former Cabinet minister Lindiwe Sisulu against activist Goolam Vawda, alleged to be behind the controversial X (formerly Twitter) account @goolammv. Sisulu laid a criminal complaint on 21 July 2024 at the Roodepoort police station, accusing Vawda of cyberbullying, hate speech, and publishing defamatory content targeting her and others via social media. A year later, there have been no reported arrests or developments. Independent Media contacted police this week for comment. Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko referred the query to Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, who, after being provided the case number, said it was incorrect. The same case number had previously been used for media follow-ups. “The complainant in the case number you provided is not Lindiwe…

A criminal charge of perjury has been laid against embattled Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi who retracted serious allegations he made against former police minister Bheki Cele. The criminal charges were laid at Cape Town Central Police station by National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader Fadiel Adams yesterday. Adams said after the retraction was made which was done via SMS, Members of Parliament objected to the manner of the withdrawal and demanded that Mkhwanazi return to the committee and formally retract his sworn statement. Western Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, confirmed a case was opened. “The mentioned case number is a perjury case registered at Cape Town Central SAPS. The identity of those concerned are not released,” said Twigg. Enquiries to KZN police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda, probing whether they are aware of…

Shouting inappropriate language at senior management in the office when taken to task for being late to work could cost you your job, as a fundraiser at the SA Medical and Educational Foundation discovered. Kayla Jenecker, during a heated argument with the CEO of the non-profit organisation, apparently used the phrase “screw you” repeatedly towards him and in front of other colleagues. While Jenecker maintained that he uttered these words and not she, she was convicted of gross misconduct during a disciplinary hearing and fired. She fought this in arbitration but lost her case there when her dismissal was found to be fair. Aggrieved with this finding, she turned to the Cape Town Labour Court in a bid to get her job back. Jenecker began working for the employer in…

Fifa has unveiled an unprecedented compensation initiative for all clubs that release players for national teams for next year’s World Cup. This significant development could reshape the financial landscape of South African football, presenting an enticing opportunity for PSL clubs. They could benefit immensely from the distribution of an estimated $355 million (about R6.132 billion) Fifa fund, generated from its multi-billion-dollar World Cup revenues. For the first time, Fifa’s new funding structure will include all players who participated in qualifying matches, not just those who make it to the tournament’s final roster. The new arrangement means that any club releasing a player for qualifying games will receive remuneration, opening the door for clubs to be awarded payments even for players who do not participate in the finals. This reform strikes…

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus explained that the decision to give star winger Cheslin Kolbe a rare start at fullback against Japan at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday was motivated in part by the desire to give Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu a sustained run in the No 10 jersey. Regular fullback Damian Willemse sustained a hamstring injury in the Stormers' last match against Benetton in the United Rugby Championship and was not considered for the match. With Aphelele Fassi also injured and veteran Willie le Roux not included in the tour squad, the Boks have turned to Kolbe to patrol the backfield. “I think it was in 2022 in Ireland when he last started at fullback, and he has moved to fullback in games for us. He’s played at fullback a…

Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi says he is not getting carried away by the shock early exits of Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs from the Carling Knockout Cup, despite his own team marching into the semi-finals. The two heavyweights were both knocked out in the opening round – and both via penalty shootouts – with Chiefs losing to Stellenbosch FC, while Sundowns were stunned by Marumo Gallants. Their departures left Orlando Pirates as the only remaining member of the traditional “big three” still standing in the competition. However, Mngqithi, who has built his reputation on meticulous preparation and tactical awareness, says he never measures his side’s chances based on who remains in the draw. “I never look at cup competitions in that space because I always know cup competitions…

Two years ago today, most South Africans woke up with massive babelas. Some may not even have slept. Leftover braai and a beer was the breakfast of choice as they made their way back to the scene of the crime – the living room – where many also left their voices and their dignity behind. For, on the night before, far away on a crisp evening in Paris, the Springboks completed a feat of sporting willpower to secure back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles by defeating the All Blacks in a dramatic and brutal final. It was another one-point win – their third in succession – that put the nation’s collective nerves in a state. But the euphoria that followed swept the length and breadth of the country. From Soweto to…