Table of contents for 2026-03-30 in Mercury

Under the prolonged war scenario, global inflation could rise to 7.7%, close to the 2022 peak A prolonged conflict in the Middle East, centred on Iran, could tip the global economy into a rare and synchronised recession, while already triggering fuel supply concerns in South Africa. According to new modelling by Oxford Economics released on Friday, the world economy faces a sharp slowdown if disruptions to energy flows persist, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil trade. “Under our prolonged war scenario, global inflation would rise to 7.7%, close to the 2022 peak,” said Ben May, director of global macro research at Oxford Economics. “The magnitude of this price spike triggers large non-linearities that magnify the economic impact, resulting in a rare contraction in global…

South Africa and Angola have taken a major step toward strengthening economic and tourism ties, agreeing to remove capacity and frequency restrictions on both passenger and cargo flights between the two countries. The breakthrough, reached during a high-level visit by Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille to Luanda on Friday, came into effect on 24 March 2026 and is seen as a significant move to unlock growth in travel, trade and investment across the region. De Lille’s visit included bilateral engagements with Angola’s Tourism Minister, Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation across multiple sectors. The agreement effectively liberalises air access between South Africa and Angola, allowing airlines greater flexibility to increase flight frequencies and expand cargo operations without previous regulatory constraints. This is…

In the face of escalating financial pressures, many South Africans are preparing for what could be a severe economic downturn. With a potential record-breaking petrol price hike on the horizon and an electricity tariff increase set to take effect in early April 2026, millions may be left struggling to make ends meet. The South African Reserve Bank's (Sarb) recent decision to maintain the current repo rate has dashed hopes for a reprieve for those drowning in debt. Neil Roets, CEO of Debt Rescue, expressed deep concern over the implications of these developments for the already burdened consumer. “The Monetary Policy Committee’s (MPC) decision to hold the repo rate steady is particularly distressing for heavily indebted households,” he stated. “The combined financial repercussions of rising fuel and electricity prices, along with…

The first signal is rarely geopolitical. It is practical. It shows up in a freight invoice, in a transport fare, in a procurement team suddenly repricing assumptions it made only weeks earlier. That is how systemic risk enters ordinary economic life in import-dependent states: not first as spectacle, but as cost. The Strait of Hormuz crisis has followed that pattern with precision. Its significance lies not in a simplistic story of absolute closure, but in the emergence of a more fragile operating environment in which energy still moves, though under sharper political discretion, tighter routing constraints and greater price volatility. That distinction matters. Iran has publicly said the Strait remains open to all except “enemy-linked” vessels,while recent reporting shows that some ships have in fact been allowed through after diplomatic…

Jeannie Sarno, owner of Burnham House B&B in Umhlanga North of Durban, in an interview with the Business Report, said that she has owned the establishment since 2009 and has had to navigate challenges in making the establishment successful in the tourism sector. Sarno said that she was born in Seychelles. “Tourism is in our blood, and we understand the importance of tourism and guest services. I immigrated to America and worked in a travel agency in client services where I was the end of the line when it came to dealing with customers and their problems, but once you experience South Africa, there is nothing that can hold you back. I returned to Durban because I loved nature and lifestyle, and here I became a B&B owner. It’s during…

It’s easy to feel like our health is just a matter of luck or DNA. But the truth is much more empowering: you have more control over your future than you might think. While chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension are currently the leading cause of death in South Africa, claiming over 164 000 lives every year, most of these cases are preventable. Your health isn’t just about genetics, it’s built through the small, daily choices you make regarding food, movement, sleep and stress. The lifestyle you choose today determines your tomorrow. It’s the difference between hiking with your grandkids or watching them from the sidelines. “Knowing what to do and actually doing it is different. The secret to lasting change is consistency – and consistency thrives when small wins…

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has written to the presidency and the office of the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, to raise his concern over a purported increase in hoarding of fuel stock by some suppliers. Winde identified fuel suppliers as those at fault for not releasing fuel to customers after isolated reports of shortages in the Western Cape emerged. He said that while the province has recognised the very real concerns raised about the impact of the Middle East conflict on the fuel supply, there is no cause for concern. According to the latest data from the Central Energy Fund, diesel prices could rise by between R9.86 and R10 per litre, depending on the grade, making it the biggest increase among all fuel types. Petrol, meanwhile,…

AN investigation has been launched after a Grade 3 pupil died after a section of wall at a school in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, collapsed on Thursday. As the first school term came to a close on Friday, Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane confirmed the death of a boy pupil from Lerutle Primary School in Daveyton, Ekurhuleni. Chiloane expressed profound shock and sadness following the tragic death. According to the department’s statement, a section of the school wall reportedly collapsed while pupils were on break. “Preliminary information indicates that a section of the school wall reportedly collapsed during breaktime on Thursday, falling onto six learners and leaving them with severe injuries. Emergency services responded swiftly, and all six learners were transported to various medical facilities for urgent medical treatment. “Tragically, one of…

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has “strongly condemned” a telephonic interview conducted between eNCA and inmate Jermaine Prim at the Johannesburg Correctional Centre, confirming that an investigation has been launched to determine how the incident occurred. In a statement issued on Saturday, DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said the interview took place without the approval of National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale. “This engagement, conducted without the approval of the national commissioner, represents a clear violation of established Standard Operating Procedures.” He added that media houses are required to formally apply for permission to interview offenders to ensure that security, legal processes and victims’ rights are not compromised. “No such application was received or approved,” he said. Nxumalo said that the extended and uninterrupted nature of the interview raises serious concerns about…

In KwaZulu-Natal, nearly one in two people live below the lower-bound poverty line — a grim statistic that now ranks the province worst in the country. At this threshold, families are forced to choose between putting food on the table and paying for basic necessities. This is in the context of 23.2 million people in South Africa, representing 37.9% of the population, living below the lower-bound poverty line, according to the latest figures from Statistics South Africa’s Income and Expenditure Survey (IES) conducted in 2023. During KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli’s Premier’s Coordinating Forum (PCF) on Friday, Bongani Radebe of Statistics SA noted that in terms of poverty, the IES of 2023 indicated that 68.8% of South Africa’s income is derived from work. In KZN, it is 63.8% while 12.5% is…

SADC leaders need a common, integrated economic agenda African nations are currently facing a new triple blow to their development agenda – one more extractive and exploitative that straddles the entire economic value chain and social life of Africans- from minerals to digital data. Despite the laudable communiqué of ‘Africa’s G20’ in 2025 on Sustainable AI and Green industrialisation et al, African nations face Ground Zero in realpolitik with the extractive ‘Free Trade Agreements on steroids’ Trump administration in 2026. The (mis) use of Section 301 trade tools against 60 countries is also in motion. The latest being the new US-Zambia and US-Zimbabwe trade deals, are attracting considerable pushback. A leaked draft of a five-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two countries, seen by The Guardian, reveals that Zambia…

Bulls coach Johan Ackermann says his team’s charity to the opposition in not taking gift-wrapped opportunities has to stop. The Bulls narrowly escaped losing to a resurgent Munster on Saturday. The Irishmen outscored the Bulls five tries to four in their 34-31 defeat, and the Bulls had Handre Pollard’s deadly boot to thank for the win. The Bulls banked five log points and have moved up from eighth to seventh, but their old malady of making life difficult for themselves continues. “We could have put them away on several occasions, but we didn’t purely because of execution and errors such as knock-ons and other basic errors,” he said. “As a team, we create opportunities and then we just don’t finish them. That’s the part we keep reviewing and working on,…

CAF president Patrice Motsepe said yesterday he will “respect” the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decision on Senegal’s appeal against being stripped of its Africa Cup of Nations title. “I will respect and implement the CAS decision. My personal opinion regarding the matter is irrelevant,” Motsepe said in Cairo, after a meeting of CAF executives. The Senegal appeal came after the CAF appeals body overturned a 1-0 win by Senegal over hosts Morocco in the Cup of Nations final last month. Many Senegalese players, head coach Pape Thiaw and his staff walked off the pitch in Rabat after Morocco were awarded an added-time penalty. After they returned, Brahim Diaz missed the penalty. Pape Gueye scored in extra-time to win the title decider. A CAF disciplinary committee later fined various…

South Africa’s policy uncertainty has risen sharply in early 2026, reflecting growing global and domestic economic pressures linked to the escalating Middle East energy crisis. The Policy Uncertainty Index, compiled by the North West University (NWU) Business School, climbed to 77.8 in the first quarter of 2026, up significantly from 64.9 in the fourth quarter of 2025. The increase signals a reversal of the previous quarter’s modest improvement and highlights a renewed deterioration in business sentiment. According to NWU Business School economist Raymond Parsons, the rise was largely anticipated given the intensifying global economic fallout from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. He said the earlier dip in the index had suggested a possible turning point in South Africa’s business cycle, but that optimism has now been overshadowed by global…

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen, has welcomed the arrival of the first official shipment of South African table grapes to Philippines, marking a major milestone in agricultural trade between the two nations. The inaugural consignment, which landed on Thursday, follows the granting of market access in 2025 and is the result of years of technical negotiations and regulatory alignment between the two governments. Steenhuisen said the shipment represents more than a routine export, describing it as the beginning of a new trade corridor built on cooperation and shared standards. “This inaugural shipment represents the culmination of several years of sustained technical engagement between the South African and Philippine governments, underpinned by close collaboration with industry stakeholders and regulatory authorities,” he said. “It reflects a shared commitment to science-based phytosanitary…

The Gauteng North High Court in Pretoria has declined to grant urgent relief to agricultural groups seeking to challenge government control over the distribution of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines, setting the stage for a continued legal battle later in April. The application was brought by Sakeliga, Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai), and Free State Agriculture, who aimed to interdict the Department of Agriculture from restricting private-sector procurement and administration of vaccines. In its ruling last week, the court opted not to grant urgent relief, instead postponing the matter to allow the department time to finalise a formal vaccination scheme. Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen welcomed the outcome, saying it provides a “defined and reasonable timeframe” for government to publish the framework in line with existing legislation. “The department has been…

The recent issuance of the Consolidated General Report on National and Provincial Audit Outcomes 2024-25 by Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke is more than a statistical update; it is a funeral dirge for the South African taxpayer. With R42 billion misspent and a "culture of impunity" now fully normalized, Maluleke’s lamentations echo through the hollowed-out corridors of state departments. Yet, to understand why the AG is left holding a heavy "monkey on her back" while the executive enjoys a "daily free meal," we must look back at the structural toothlessness of the very instruments designed to protect us. The Longitudinal lived truth of one of the twenty year delay of democracy. Here is a Forensic Template designed to audit a housing project delayed by 20 years, utilizing the 2,752 instruments of Lehohla…

The UK’s financial regulator is moving closer to finalising a consumer compensation scheme for motor finance customers, including those of the FirstRand group, with payouts expected to begin in 2026. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is developing an industry-wide redress framework covering historical commission arrangements on vehicle finance deals, including cases where customers may not have been fully informed. It reviewed 32.5 million motor finance agreements that consumers entered into between April 2007 and October 2024 and estimated that 44% would be considered unfair and disadvantageous to consumers. FirstRand was brought into the case through its MotoNovo unit in the UK, which it acquired in 2006, which has a market share of about 10%. Beyond reasonable Last October, the listed banking group said a proposed UK redress scheme for motor…

Forget the gruelling revision marathons and the kitchen-table battles! What if we told you that levelling up your child’s brainpower takes less time than boiling a kettle? Between the chaos of the school run, packed lunches and work deadlines, finding study time often feels like just another exhausting chore. The experts at online institution, Silicon Valley High School, have a secret: The 5-minute brain boost. “Most parents want to support their child’s education but feel like they don’t have the time,” shares CEO David Smith. “The truth is, even 5 minutes of the right kind of mental activity each day can have a meaningful impact on focus, memory, and how ready a child feels to learn.” What is the 5-minute brain boost? Think of it as a stretch for the…

Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has been elected unopposed as the first female provincial chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) in Limpopo. Her election follows a ruling by the High Court in Polokwane, which dismissed an urgent application to interdict the provincial elective conference held at the weekend. A unity slate reportedly emerged at the ANC Limpopo conference, with all candidates nominated at the branch level elected without opposition. Ramathuba replaces outgoing provincial chairperson Stanley Mathabatha. She was elected in the early hours of Saturday at the Polokwane Cricket Club. Polokwane Municipality Mayor John Mpe was elected unopposed as deputy chairperson. Reuben Madadzhe was re-elected as provincial secretary, also unopposed. Pule Shai was elected deputy provincial secretary, and Eddie Maila as provincial treasurer. The province’s top five officials are:…

For a “cold-blooded, calculated killing ”, a Durban man has been sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment by the Verulam Regional Court. Nkululeko Philip Maphumulo was sentenced last week for the robbery and killing of Mbongeni Ndlovu on June 19, 2019. The incident occurred near Cornubia when Maphumulo robbed Ndlovu and his girlfriend, Busisiwe Zulu, at gunpoint, taking Ndlovu’s Toyota Run X and a cellphone before killing him. Maphumulo was subsequently on the run after committing these crimes. Magistrate Betty Rawheath sentenced Maphumulo to 10 years' imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances and 15 years for murder. These sentences were ordered to run separately, totalling 25 years. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. The court found no compelling circumstances to justify deviating from the minimum prescribed sentences. Magistrate…

The 9th China-South Africa Bi-National Commission meeting between the two countries took place in Cape Town on March 26, amidst global trade and energy supply chain disruption. On November 23 last year, South Africa’s Vice-President Paul Mashatile met with China’s Premier Li Qiang and expressed South Africa’s readiness to expand all-round value-added exports and attract greater Chinese investment in beneficiation, renewable energy, manufacturing and digital technology. The 9th Bi-National Commission could not have come at a more pivotal moment, as the war in the Middle East is disrupting global energy supplies, placing South Africa’s emerging economy at grave risk as it tries to reshape and rebalance its economic and development strategies. Reshaping and rebalancing is a strategic move reinforced by China’s recent announcement to implement zero tariffs on imports from…

The latest injury setback to Springboks lock RG Snyman, confirmed by his club Leinster after their United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against Glasgow Warriors, is undoubtedly disappointing. The towering lock, affectionately known as “The Viking”, has endured a stop-start international career due to injuries. This latest development could see him missing most of an important 2026 international rugby season. Yet, for all the initial alarm and headlines pointing to a lock crisis, this is not a situation that should unsettle the world champions as they continue building towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Snyman’s unique skill set – the offloading game he has mastered, his athleticism, and presence in open play – adds a different dimension to the Springboks’ pack and their evolving attack under Tony Brown. However, the success…

Stormers head coach John Dobson lamented his side’s impatience against Edinburgh on Saturday evening after it took them until late in the clash to put their visitors away. While they claimed a 33-14 United Rugby Championship (URC) victory to remain second in the standings, they failed to capitalise on their dominance in the first half. It took two tries around the 60th minute to finally pull clear of the Scottish visitors, but before that, the 20 000-plus supporters inside DHL Stadium would have been somewhat uneasy. However, two spectacular tries ultimately sealed both the victory and the bonus point, keeping the Cape side in touch with the Glasgow Warriors, who currently sit top of the table. “There is a lack of patience within the team,” director of rugby John Dobson…

Tottenham Hotspur have parted company with coach Igor Tudor by mutual consent yesterday after just seven games in charge as they battle to stay in the Premier League. Tudor lost five of those matches to leave Spurs out of the Uefa Champions League and hovering just one point above the relegation zone. The 47-year-old did not appear in front of the media after last weekend’s damaging 3-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest after learning of his father’s death just after the game ended. “We can confirm that it has been mutually agreed for head coach Igor Tudor to leave the club with immediate effect,” Tottenham said in a statement. “We also acknowledge the bereavement that Igor has recently suffered and send our support to him and his family at…

The South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) has announced a significant decision to hold the repo rate at 6.75%, a move unfolding against a backdrop of rising global inflationary pressures induced by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. This unanimous decision by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) reflected growing concerns about the impact of elevated oil prices and a depreciating rand on the nation's economic landscape. According to Lara Hodes, an economist at Investec, the volatile situation in the Middle East has not only pushed oil prices beyond $100 per barrel but has also led to a substantial depreciation of the rand, placing additional strain on the economy. While the MPC pointed out that we are still in the early phases of this conflict, the upcoming months will play a…

A new legal battle is brewing in South Africa’s livestock sector, with the Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) warning that impending court action by private veterinary groups could disrupt efforts to contain the ongoing outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). The development follows last week’s ruling by the Gauteng North High Court in Pretoria, which declined to grant urgent relief to agricultural organisations seeking to challenge government control over vaccine distribution. Now, fresh litigation threatens to further complicate the rollout of a national vaccination programme at a critical stage. RMIS on Friday said it became aware of the planned court action only on Thursday, cautioning that any delay in vaccination would have far-reaching consequences across the agricultural value chain — from producers and feedlots to abattoirs and consumers. “This is…

On 1 April, South Africa will face one of the most devastating economic blows in living memory with fuel prices skyrocketing over R5 per litre for petrol, R10 per litre for diesel and R11 for paraffin. These hikes are the direct result of the war of insanity unleashed in the Middle East and its impact upon international oil and gas supplies and prices. They will inflict massive damage on South Africa, already battling weak economic growth averaging 1% over the past decade, 41.1% unemployment and entrenched levels of poverty and inequality. Workers drowning in debt, supporting an average of 7 relatives and many of whom spend up to 40% of their meagre salaries on transport; have no space to cope. Working class families will be forced to choose between buying…

Valterra Platinum has reported a sharp rise in earnings and cash generation for 2025, underscoring a strong financial performance in its first full year as an independent company following its separation from Anglo American plc. The Johannesburg-based platinum group metals (PGM) producer on Friday said adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (Ebitda) jumped 68% to R33.4 billion in 2025, while headline earnings surged 98% to R16.7bn, reflecting both operational resilience and disciplined cost management in a volatile commodity price environment. The company ended the year with a net cash position of R11.5bn, a significant milestone that enabled it to return substantial value to shareholders. A final dividend of R11.5bn brought total dividends for the year to R12bn, highlighting management’s confidence in the group’s financial strength and future prospects.…

The summons issued against National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, to appear before the court has raised concerns over 'a strategy to protect those implicated in corruption'. The Activists and Citizens Forum (ACF) has described the summons as 'a fightback by those hellbent on capturing the police services and the entire criminal justice system'. At the same time, Change.org issued a petition calling for the removal of Advocate Andrea Johnson as head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC). Masemola was served with a summons last week to appear in court on April 21. While he has not been charged with corruption directly, he reportedly faces four counts related to his alleged failure to comply with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). This is after twelve other senior police officers were…

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has welcomed a court judgment in its favour after an application seeking to interdict the rollout of the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) was struck off the roll on Friday. The Pietermaritzburg High Court further instructed the applicants to pay the costs of the application. The matter was brought to the court by school nutrition providers who are aggrieved over a recent tender process for the NSNP. These providers were not appointed under the new process and have lodged appeals. Last year, the providers had alleged that there was tender fraud related to the award of new contracts to provide food to schools in the 12 districts in the province. But the department has previously denied any wrongdoing and said the process was conducted in…

The Gauteng arm of the Legal Practice Council’s (LPC) is of the opinion that lawyer Douglas Shaw not only brought the legal profession into disrepute but committed a criminal offence when he appeared in the High Court without a Fidelity Fund Certificate. The Investigating Committee of the LPC, after investigating the matter, recommended that an urgent application be brought to suspend Shaw from the roll of legal practitioners. In a report filed with the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, Gauteng director of the LPC, Ignatius Briel, said the fact that Shaw has tried to rectify “his transgressions” after the fact does not assist him as the “offending conduct” is a matter of public record. The report by the LPC followed an order delivered by Judge Leonie Windell in February, which was…

With the United Rugby Championship (URC) taking a break over the next two weeks, making way for the Champions Cup knockouts, it gives the four South African franchises a chance to look at their positions and prioritise their next match in the race to the knockouts. Following another unbeaten weekend for the Stormers, Lions, Bulls and Sharks, they consolidated their spots on the official URC log. However, the inability of the Durbanites to bag a bonus point against Cardiff could come back to hurt them. We take a look at the state of play for the SA teams with four matches left. STORMERS Second | Played 14, Won 11, Drawn 0, Lost 3, Points Difference 139, Points 51 1. Connacht | Saturday, 18 April @ DHL Stadium 2. Glasgow |…

The Lions may have finished the match with four late tries, but coach Ivan van Rooyen admits Saturday night’s home United Rugby Championship clash against the Dragons was a “street fight” that ultimately underlined the side’s growing maturity and mental resilience. Van Rooyen was quick to credit the visitors for dragging his team into a physical arm-wrestle. The Dragons’ defensive breakdown work and intensity disrupted the Lions’ usual rhythm for long periods, putting pressure on their structure and testing their patience. “They’ve got the ability to be really physical. Their defensive breakdown is world-class,” Van Rooyen admitted afterwards. “Their physicality is up there with the top two, three teams in the competition. “They’ve got this ability to get you out of your rhythm. We saw it against the Stormers last…

Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli vowed to “keep raising the bar” after winning yesterday’s Japanese Grand Prix to become the youngest driver in Formula One history to lead the championship standings. The 19-year-old Italian took advantage of a mid-race safety car to jump into the lead after a dreadful start from pole position, crossing the line ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Antonelli’s Suzuka victory came two weeks after the first grand prix win of his career in China, and sent him top of the championship standings after three races, nine points ahead of teammate George Russell. Mercedes are struggling to contain the excitement building around their young driver, even if Antonelli said he was “not thinking too much about the championship”. “Of course it’s great but it’s still…

Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be without South Africa batter Dewald Brevis for their IPL 2026 opening match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) today, after they confirmed he suffered a side strain while training, according to head coach Stephen Fleming. “Brevis is out. He had a side injury during training. So again, he is rehabbing. CSK are hopeful he will be fit again soon,” said Fleming, in the pre-match press conference at the ACA Stadium yesterday. Brevis’ absence compounds CSK’s injury woes; fast bowler Nathan Ellis has already been ruled out of the season, while former captain MS Dhoni is expected to miss the first two weeks of the competition due to a calf strain. It is understood that Dhoni has not travelled with the team to Guwahati and…