Table of contents for 2026-04-14 in Cape Times

The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has delivered a significant ruling in favour of a coal mining joint venture involving Glencore Operations SA and African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) Coal, overturning a decision by the South African Revenue Service (Sars) that had denied millions in diesel fuel levy refunds. The unanimous judgment, penned by SCA Judge President Justice Mahube Molemela and handed down last week, centres on whether the Goedgevonden Joint Venture (JV) was entitled to claim diesel rebates under Section 75(1A) of the Customs and Excise Act. The Goedgevonden JV is a major South African open-cut coal mining operation near Ogies in Mpumalanga, formed between ARM Coal and Glencore (formerly Xstrata). The mine produces thermal coal for export and domestic markets, with ownership split 51% (ARM Coal) and 49% (Glencore).…

Higher global oil prices, resulting from the failed peace talks between the United States (US) and Iran, along with President Donald Trump's announcement of a US blockade at the Strait of Hormuz sent markets plunging on Monday. Bianca Botes, managing director at Citadel Global, yesterday said that while what was initially reported as a constructive negotiation failed to transpire into an agreement, as the US prepared for a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. "Markets are back on edge with Wall Street futures sinking as much as 1%. The dollar and oil prices capitalised on the breakdown in talks, with oil gaining over 7% to trade at $102/barrel," she said. "Gold prices, while still at elevated levels, declined by 0.6% this morning, to trade at $4,718/ounce." In a stark…

South Africa’s agricultural sector faced a turbulent start to 2026, with a combination of animal disease outbreaks, rising input costs, and global geopolitical tensions offsetting pockets of resilience, according to the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz). In its first-quarter review, Agbiz described the sector’s performance as mixed, highlighting both encouraging developments and significant challenges that continue to strain farmers and agribusinesses. A major concern remains the ongoing spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), which has disrupted livestock farming and export markets. Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz, on Monday said the situation has been building for some time but escalated sharply following the government’s decision late last year, to vaccinate the entire national herd. Sihlobo added that at the start of the year South Africa had received vaccines, but the cost to…

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries across the globe, South Africa is experiencing a significant shift in the job market. This was revealed in the latest Pnet Job Market Trends Report for March. The report highlighted how AI skills have transitioned from niche to mainstream, significantly impacting various sectors of employment. According to Pnet’s data, the notable increase in AI-related skills from 2016 to 2019 was primarily spurred by technical roles, such as developers and data specialists. Yet, even at that time, there was a 98% alignment in the growth of non-technical talent with AI competencies. This suggested that many professionals were already beginning to familiarise themselves with AI applications, laying the groundwork for the broader adoption we see today. Since the introduction of generative AI tools like ChatGPT…

ASP Technologies, a Nasdaq emerging growth company that listed on the JSE in August with the acquisition of local gas producer Renergen, has warned that it expects to report losses for some time and that it will also require substantial future funding. The producer of enriched isotopes used in medicine, energy, and industry such as semiconductors, and a company that also plans to produce low enriched uranium in South Africa, said in its annual report on Monday that it has incurred significant net losses since inception, and further “significant net losses” were expected for the foreseeable future. “We also have a limited operating history, which may make it difficult to evaluate our prospects and likelihood of success,” the company’s directors warned in the section of the report that assesses risks…

SECTION27, together with the Life Esidimeni families, has welcomed the National Prosecuting Authority’s decision to prosecute individuals implicated in the tragedy as a significant step towards justice and accountability. More than a decade after at least 141 psychiatric patients died, the National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed that it will prosecute those responsible. The deaths occurred between 2015 and 2016 after the Gauteng Department of Health decided to move more than 1 700 mental health patients from Life Esidimeni facilities to unlicensed and ill-equipped NGOs. This formed part of a cost-cutting drive. Many patients were left without proper care, food, or medication. A court inquest in 2024 found former Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu and mental health director Makgabo Manamela liable for some of the deaths. “The charges are expected to include…

Mayoral committee member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, has defended the Metro Police’s engagement with US Marines, describing it as an informal arrangement in which staff were able to measure their fitness standards against those of another entity. Smith shared a video of the training exercise on social media, sparking backlash, including from the GOOD Party, which said the incident raised serious legal, governance and accountability concerns. “The engagement between the City’s Public Safety Training College (PSTC) and Marines based at the US Consulate in Cape Town was a fitness exercise and an opportunity for officers to experience Marine-style fitness drills. The City has, in recent years, as part of its expansion of the PSTC, placed a stronger emphasis on the physical fitness of enforcement services, with ongoing assessments…

There is a sombre atmosphere in the Stormers camp following the passing of their long-term manager, Chippie Solomon, this past Saturday. Director of rugby John Dobson also admitted they are behind where they should be in terms of planning for what awaits against Connacht this coming Saturday (1.45pm start). They have yet to select the squad for the clash and will likely only do so on Tuesday. That is understandable, though, when you’ve lost one of the biggest and most experienced figures in your team — someone the players looked up to as a second father figure, a mentor, an ever-listening ear and a shoulder to lean on in tough times. It will be a difficult week for the team, even beyond this crucial United Rugby Championship (URC) match. However,…

Midway through Manchester City’s game against Chelsea, a City fan pulled out a water bottle embellished with the Arsenal logo and drank from it in exaggerated fashion. The message was clear: their title rivals are “bottling” the championship race, having once looked a sure bet to win their first league crown in more than a decade. And it is getting harder to argue otherwise as a gap that once seemed insurmountable has now been reduced to six points, with the huge match-up between the leading contenders at the Etihad still to come. Should Pep Guardiola’s high-flying, former champions win at home on Sunday, the gap will be cut to three – with a game in hand. The Gunners aren't quite panicking, but there's an edginess to their make-up that could…

Sub-Saharan Africa’s fragile economic recovery is losing momentum, with fresh warnings that growth is failing to translate into enough jobs for a rapidly expanding population. According to the latest Africa Economic Update released by the World Bank Group, growth for the region is projected to remain flat at 4.1% in 2026, unchanged from 2025, but increasingly exposed to mounting global and domestic risks. The report, coming on the eve of the International Monetary Fund/World Bank Annual Meetings this week, highlights a combination of geopolitical tensions, rising debt burdens, and structural inefficiencies as key factors constraining the region’s economic trajectory. Chief among these risks is the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which continues to drive up fuel, food, and fertilizer prices. These cost pressures are expected to push inflation higher,…

The rising cost of fuel is driving businesses to significantly rethink their labour costs. A permanent workforce is becoming challenging to sustain, and many organisations are shifting toward more flexible staffing models to enable them to scale more easily while maintaining operational continuity. Temporary Employment Services (TES) offer a strategic solution, creating shared value and ongoing advantages for companies and workers. Agility is key to survival With the current level of uncertainty, it has become difficult for businesses to accurately predict demand. Costs are also increasing in all sectors, driven by the fuel price hikes. A large permanent workforce quickly becomes a fixed overhead that cannot adapt when conditions shift, putting pressure on margins and potentially leading to job loss down the line. Operating costs are rising, change happens faster,…

Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) is gearing up for a demanding 2026 citrus export season, building on the momentum of a strong performance last year that saw export volumes surge by 22%. The State-owned port operator said it has finalised extensive readiness plans in collaboration with industry stakeholders to ensure smooth operations during the peak export window, which runs from April to September. South Africa exports a wide range of citrus fruits—including oranges, mandarins, lemons, clementines, limes and grapefruit—to more than 100 global markets during this period. TPT said its preparations have focused on critical logistics areas such as refrigerated container demand forecasting, stack capacity management, vessel berthing schedules, and contingency planning for early or delayed cargo arrivals. These measures are aimed at minimising disruptions and maintaining efficiency across key terminals…

On April 27, 2026, a courtroom will host a dispute that feels less like litigation and more like a reckoning. At issue is not merely a contract or a corporate disagreement, but the philosophical DNA of artificial intelligence itself. Across the aisle will sit Elon Musk and Sam Altman—two figures who once shared a vision, now divided by what that vision has become. In its earliest incarnation, OpenAI was conceived as a counterweight to concentrated technological power. It was meant to pursue research in the open, to ensure that artificial intelligence would benefit humanity broadly rather than enrich a narrow elite. Musk, one of its early backers, has argued that this founding ethos has been compromised—that the organization has drifted from a public-spirited mission toward a more conventional, profit-driven model.…

Emira Property Fund has advanced its investment strategy by acquiring 53.7 million shares in Octodec Investments, or about 20.17% ownership, involving an investment of R891.8 million in a series of off-market transactions, Emira announced Monday in a statement. The shares were acquired from various asset managers, including Abax Investments, Sanlam, and Old Mutual, making this a pivotal moment for both entities. The deal underscores Emira's strategy of seeking meaningful, value-accretive opportunities within the real estate market. The aim was to increase their stake to at least 34,9%, which is below the level where an offer to the public has to be made. "We aim to create substantial value in the long term.” This acquisition was not just about enhancing shareholding; Emira aimed to engage with Octodec on initiatives…

Suspended police officer Sergeant Fannie Nkosi will spend four more nights behind bars after his bail application in the Pretoria North Magistrates’ Court was postponed to Monday. Nkosi, 42, returned to court yesterday for a formal bail application, with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) opposing his release. He was arrested on April 2 during a raid at his home in Pretoria North. Nkosi, who is suspended from the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) organised crime unit, has also testified before the Madlanga Commission. His suspension took effect on March 28. During his initial court appearance last week, the court heard that police allegedly found more than R50,000 hidden under a mattress, along with firearms, explosives and other items. Nkosi faces multiple charges, including unlawful possession of explosives, three counts of…

Sekunjalo Investment Holdings has instituted legal proceedings against the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU), claiming R628 million over what it describes as the union’s failure to honour financial commitments linked to a media venture. According to a media statement released yesterday, the dispute centres on funding commitments tied to the establishment of World of Work (WoW), a labour-focused newspaper initiative that formed part of the broader acquisition of Independent Media. Court papers filed in the Western Cape High Court show that Sekunjalo has issued a combined summons citing both SACTWU and its investment arm as defendants. Sekunjalo alleges that SACTWU initially proposed contributing R250m to the consortium acquiring Independent Media, with a specific focus on developing a union-aligned publication. The company said it proceeded to fund and…

It must have been 2016. I recall the setting: Ellis Park, perched above the lower south stand in the then-Touchdown restaurant. It was a Super Rugby clash — likely against the Sunwolves or one of the less-than-impressive Australian outfits — judging by the cavernous stands and the sparse crowd sharing the space with my cohorts and me. Save, of course, for one questionable character in an deceptively-looking expensive-fitting grey suit, entertaining equally questionable company. A “hairdresser”, she claimed to be, and that is the story we’ll be sticking to. He identified himself, quite proudly, as De Klerk’s agent, raving about the then-23-24-25-year-old. His dubious credentials only invited raised eyebrows, but who could blame him for wanting to be close to the source? It was clear even then that De Klerk…

Global markets rattled over increasing tensions in the Middle East, sending oil prices higher Global markets have been rattled after Donald Trump announced a US-led blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, sending oil prices sharply higher and intensifying fears of inflation, interest rate hikes, and a broader economic slowdown. The global price of Brent crude oil jumped 7% to $103 per barrel (bbl) following the announcement, reflecting immediate concerns over supply disruptions in one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. The Strait of Hormuz, which handles between 17 and 20 million barrels of oil daily, has effectively been constrained since the escalation of tensions between the US and Iran, limiting global energy flows. Trump escalated rhetoric further, warning that Iranian vessels and “fast-attack ships” approaching the blockade would be…

I have long believed that those who have travelled a path are best placed to guide others on it. It was at a recent masterclass at GIBS Business School where Dr Andile Sangqu, the chairperson of Transnet, reflected on the organisation’s turnaround journey. The discussion extended beyond the scale of the challenge and pointed to something deeper about governance when institutions come under severe strain. He described the organisation he inherited in 2023 as one in distress, where fundamental performance signals had deteriorated. The image he used was striking. Describing himself as a very visual leader, he likened the situation to an aircraft in rapid descent, requiring decisive intervention to avoid collapse. Turnarounds of this nature bring governance into sharp focus. They expose the limits of passive oversight and require…

A recent report by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has unveiled alarming trends in the landscape of financial cybercrime, revealing that more than one million online banking accounts were compromised in the last year. This escalation is attributed to a notable shift in financial threats towards credential theft, marking a significant departure from traditional malware practices. The findings from Kaspersky’s latest report indicate a concerning uptick in the use of infostealers, malware designed specifically to harvest sensitive information such as login credentials, bank card details, and even crypto wallet seed phrases. These malicious tools have surged, with detections rising globally by 59% in a single year. In Africa specifically, infostealers compounded the risk of financial crime, showcasing a 53% increase from 2024 to 2025, as the sophistication of attackers evolves alongside user…

Sirius Real Estate has increased its rent roll by a strong 18.4% for the year to March 31 following asset acquisitions and strong demand for space in its branded business and industrial parks in Germany and the UK. The JSE and London-listed Real Estate Investment Trust said in a trading update Monday that organic, like-for-like rent roll growth had also been strong at 6,4%. It is the 12th consecutive year where rental roll growth exceeded 5%. Thirteen asset acquisitions were made as strategy moved towards growing defence industry space requirements. “We invested £464 million into primarily resilient, income-generating assets that also offer the opportunity to create value through our platform. Around a third of this was invested into business parks that bolster our portfolio of industrial assets let to defence-related…

Beauty In Black actor, Terrell Carter, is opening up about a childhood so traumatic he says it “sounds like a movie script”. In a raw interview with host Brandi Harvey of Vault Empowers, the actor and singer detailed the shocking circumstances of his birth and the family secrets that shaped his life. Carter revealed that his mother was a child herself, only 11-years-old, when she gave birth to him. She lived with significant physical and cognitive challenges, which made her vulnerable to abuse. “She was 11-years-old when she had me. She was special needs, one leg amputated at birth. She never had all of her organs, never fully developed. And she was molested by my dad, who was in the same family, and he was 26.” Because of her health…

The world's richest man and business magnate, Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa, continues to target and criticise the country’s transformative policies, particularly the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE), which he has labelled as “extremely racist”. This is after he alleged that his satellite internet service, Starlink, was denied a licence to operate in South Africa because he is not Black, even though he was born in the country. He described the regulations as “extremely racist” and a “shameful disgrace” to Nelson Mandela’s legacy, calling for sanctions to be imposed on politicians who are protecting the B-BBEE laws. For years, Starlink was unable to obtain an operating licence from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) due to the Electronic Communications Act, which is part of the…

After more than a decade in the DA’s top leadership structures, Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism MEC Ivan Meyer has been left in the cold following a bruising defeat to Solly Msimanga in the race for federal chairperson at the party’s congress over the weekend. The two-day congress, attended by more than 2 000 delegates, concluded on Sunday with Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis emerging as the party’s new leader. It was reported that, following the announcement of the results, Meyer stormed out of the plenary hall shortly afterwards. When contacted yesterday, Meyer referred the Cape Times to a social media post on Sunday in which he pledged to support Msimanga. “Congratulations to our newly elected federal leadership,” he wrote. “Democracy is the winner. Thank you to all the candidates.…

Laughter Is Culture, arriving at GrandWest on Saturday, attempts something rarely done at this scale in South Africa: bringing together fourteen of the country’s leading stand-up comedians on a single stage, in one venue, for one night. Hosting the event is the legendary David Kau, who has been present for some of the most significant moments in South African comedy over the past three decades. He has seen the industry evolve from community hall circuits to international streaming platforms and Netflix specials. The line-up features Loyiso Gola, who built an international career in London and New York before returning home with a sharper, more global perspective; Mpho Popps, known for his ability to make thousands feel as though he is speaking directly to each individual; and Celeste Ntuli, who has…

Liverpool have a mountain to climb to oust holders Paris Saint-Germain from the Uefa Champions League but are hoping the Anfield factor can salvage a bitterly disappointing season. Crowned champions of England less than a year ago, the Reds sit fifth in the Premier League and fell short in both domestic cup competitions. The Champions League represents one final chance of silverware, but it is a long shot after the team were outclassed 2-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final at the Parc des Princes. Six-time European champions Liverpool are still alive in the competition thanks to PSG’s profligacy, and they have overcome greater odds in the past under the lights at Anfield. “It’s down to us to be in the best shape possible to make a special evening…

Fresh off a statement-making performance on the international stage, backstroke sensation Pieter Coetzé will arrive in Gqeberha this week as the man to watch when South Africa’s elite swimmers battle for Commonwealth Games qualification at the Bombela Concession Company SA National Swimming Championships. The five-day meet, taking place at the Newton Park Swimming Pool from April 14-18, is the country’s premier domestic event and the primary selection opportunity for Team SA ahead of this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. While national titles are on the line, the bigger prize is a place on the plane – and few come in with more momentum than Coetzé. The University of Pretoria star is riding high after a dominant showing at the recent China Open, where he completed a clean sweep of the…