Table of contents for 2025-10-24 in Star

Crude prices spiked more than 2 percent Thursday after US President Donald Trump said he would impose heavy sanctions on two Russian oil companies. Both main oil contracts jumped more than 3 percent - having climbed more than 2 percent Wednesday - on news of the measures after Trump said Ukraine peace efforts with Russian President Vladimir Putin "don't go anywhere". The move was joined by another round of punishments by the European Union as part of attempts to pressure Moscow to end its three-and-a-half-year invasion of Ukraine. Trump decided on the sanctions after plans for a fresh summit with Putin in Budapest collapsed this week. "Every time I speak with Vladimir, I have good conversations, and then they don't go anywhere," the US president said in response to a…

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has said that Transnet is fully geared up for the upcoming retail season following the arrival of four new ship-to-shore (STS) cranes at the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) — a R967 million investment expected to significantly enhance cargo-handling efficiency, capacity, and competitiveness. Speaking at an event to officially receive two of the cranes, Creecy said the equipment marks a key milestone in Transnet’s 18-month Recovery Plan and Reinvent for Growth Strategy, which are beginning to yield measurable results across the utility’s operations. "This is affirmed by the recently concluded citrus season, where Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) recorded an impressive 19% year-on-year increase in volumes handled across its terminals, with the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2 recording a notable 28.8% increase," Creecy said on Thursday. "Volumes…

JSE-listed 4Sight Holdings delivered a robust interim performance on the sustained adoption of artificial intelligence. For the first six months of the 2026 financial year ending August 31, 2025 revenue increased by 6.8% to R578.7 million. Operating profit increased 35.7 % to R48.3m. Gross profit increased by 15.3% from R220.4m, and gross profit margin increased to 43.9% in August 2025 compared to 40.7% in August 2024. This financial performance delivered an increase in basic earnings per share of 30.3% to 6.754c from 5.184c, and increased headline earnings per share by 30.2% to 6.753c from 5.185c. Tertius Zitzke, Group CEO of 4Sight Holdings, said on Thursday, “The increase is largely due to the sales mix, whereby professional services increased by 10.4% for the comparative period.” He said AIoT – the…

Afrimat, the mid-tier industrial minerals mining group, increased headline earnings substantially by 92.3% to 101.9 cents in the six months to August 31 after measures to fix its cement business gained traction and it sold much greater iron ore volumes. “The group made several key improvements, and the results are becoming tangible,” said the CEO, Andre van Heerden. The cement business saw a big increase in sales but did not yet make a profit due to kiln reliability factors, while phosphate sales also did not translate into profits because the business was still being built up, said the CFO, Pieter de Wit, in an interview. Group revenue increased by 29.9% to R 5.3 billion. The interim dividend was doubled to 20 cents a share. Operating profit was up 29.8% to…

Former Police Minister Bheki Cele revealed before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee that Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala had told him that suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu sought funding for his presidential campaign. Cele’s testimony comes amid investigations into alleged political interference in police operations, sparked by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s recent accusations of corruption and undue influence within the police service. Cele described a meeting last year at Durban’s upmarket Beverly Hills Hotel, where he met Matlala for the first time. He recalled that Matlala, who faces various criminal charges, was not known to him in political or community circles before their encounter. “I didn’t know him before that meeting. I would normally have heard about such people, especially given my engagements in places like Umlazi, where issues about…

Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka says the Gauteng government “misdirected itself” when establishing the Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens, popularly known as AmaPanyaza. On Wednesday, IOL reported that Gcaleka had released a report following a thorough investigation, finding that the wardens were deployed illegally. Her report was made public shortly after Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced that the wardens would be disbanded and retrained to become provincial traffic officers. Speaking to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika on Wednesday night, Gcaleka said: “The complaint basically alleged that the Premier had acted outside the boundaries of the law by establishing the Crime Prevention Wardens; that this was not regulated by any existing legal framework; and that maladministration had been committed. “We then assessed the matter and found that the establishment of these wardens was not within…

Vukile Property Fund is bringing the beautiful game to its shoppers with the launch of the first-ever national Vukile DISKI FANFEST – a five-weekend celebration of soccer, fun, and community pride. The five-shopping-mall tour kicks off at Daveyton Mall from Friday, October 24, to Sunday, October 26, headlined by South African soccer legend Doctor Khumalo. In fact, Doctor Khumalowill be joining fans at each stop of the tour, creating unforgettable moments with local communities. At Daveyton Mall, supporters can meet him on Saturday, October 25, from 12:00 to 14:00. Soccer meets community Customers and communities are the heart of Vukile’s shopping centres. The DISKIFANFEST is the latest expression of Vukile’s investment in experiences that strengthen communities and make sure their malls are vibrant social hubs – spaces that foster…

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment says there has been no name change for the Kruger National Park. The department was responding to recent reports that about a proposed change to the name. It added that those spreading misinformation are urged to refrain from doing so immediately. It was reported recently that a motion was tabled on September 23 by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature in which the party proposed that Kruger National Park be renamed to Skukuza National Park and the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport be named the late former deputy president David “DD” Mabuza. The legislature had passed the motion. However the department said in a statement yesterday that no name change has been authorised for the Kruger National Park. The…

This is really something. The Proteas, holders of the World Test Championship mace, are showing they are worthy champions. For all the talk of an easy route to Lord’s earlier this year, Shukri Conrad’s side have proved they can win anywhere. In beating — nay, dismantling — the hosts yesterday in Rawalpindi, the Proteas achieved their first win in Pakistan in 18 years. It was particularly special for someone like Kagiso Rabada, who made his debut in Mohali a decade ago but had yet to taste victory on the subcontinent outside of Bangladesh until yesterday. It was even sweeter due to Rabada’s sizeable contribution, with the fast bowler striking a match-winning 71 — the highest score by a Proteas No 11 — in a 98-run last-wicket stand with Senuran Muthusamy…

Hugo Ekitike scored against his old club as Liverpool got back on track with a 5-1 victory at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday, while Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich were among the night's other winners. The Anfield side came into their trip to Germany reeling after a run of four consecutive defeats, which included a 1-0 loss to Galatasaray in their last Champions League outing. They bounced back in style by coming from behind to hammer Eintracht, who suffered a second straight 5-1 defeat in Europe — having started their Champions League campaign with a 5-1 win. Rasmus Kristensen gave the hosts the lead, but Ekitike broke away to equalise against the team he left in July in a £79 million deal. Virgil van Dijk headed…

Fuels-from-coal giant first quarter update boosted by strategic announcements to core businesses Sasol became the biggest mover on the JSE Thursday after a first quarter update showed it was making good progress on delivering its Capital Markets Day plans to strengthen the foundation business amid global macroeconomic instability, global tariff and geopolitical tensions. The share price was trading 11.99% higher at R107.37 in the morning, a price that has risen sharply since as low as R53.01 in April 2025, before the fuels-from-coal and chemicals group announced strategies to revive its core businesses. “Performance across all our business segments remains within market guidance, and we are making good progress towards delivering on our 2026 financial year financial targets,” Sasol’s directors said in the update. In the Southern African business, the ramp-up…

South Africa just earned a record number of International Emmy® nominations — placing us third globally, behind only the United Kingdom and Brazil. It is a moment of celebration, but it should also be a moment of reflection. Because while we’re rightly proud of the recognition, we are overlooking the R50 billion opportunity hiding in plain sight. The Emmys are not simply a mark of artistic prestige. They are proof of what many of us have argued for years: the world doesn’t only want our minerals — it wants our stories, our culture, and our creativity. The demand is global, the appetite is real, and yet our policy frameworks and investment priorities still treat the creative industries as a side show rather than a growth sector. Look at the evidence.…

Raubex, the JSE-listed infrastructure development group, warned Thursday its headline earnings per share (HEPS) will be between 10% - 20% lower for the six months to August 31 compared with the same period last year. While this will translate in HEPS of between 227.4 cents and 255.9 cents, a decline in performance, the group’s management say they remain focused on long-term value creation, underpinned by a resilient business model and a clear strategic direction. “Despite the challenges during the first six months, the group remains confident about the outlook for the remainder of the financial year and the years ahead,” Raubex's directors said. The group also held a record order book. “We continue to see significant opportunities to further grow the order book, supported by positive developments in the South…

Netflix is pouring a little romance into the festive season with Love & Wine, a new romantic comedy set among the rolling vineyards of the Cape Winelands. The film is set to bring together Ntobeko Sishi, known for his role as Ntokozo on Gomora and Thandolwethu Zondi, from Netflix’s Go!, in leading roles, with Masali Baduza, Thando Thabethe and Bongile Mantsai completing the cast. Filled with charm, mischief and the kind of chemistry that pairs well with a summer watch, Love & Wine offers a local spin on a classic love story. Based on the Brazilian hit Ricos de Amor, the story follows Ovee, played by Sishi, a wealthy heir determined to prove he is more than his family’s fortune. Hoping to earn his place at his father’s winery, Ovee…

The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) arrested seven members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) on suspicion of kidnapping and extorting a suspected illegal miner. Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said the arrests followed an operation by the JMPD Tactical Reaction Unit (TRU), which uncovered alleged acts of corruption and extortion involving the officers. “It is reported that the members allegedly extorted a man in possession of material believed to be unrefined gold.” According to reports, the SAPS members were allegedly en route to Johannesburg to sell unrefined gold. The officers, attached to the West Rand Public Order Police Unit, were later detained at the Booysens police station. Muridili added that the alleged victim, believed to be an illegal miner, will also face charges under the Precious Metals Act.…

Tshwane’s most vulnerable residents are counting on the city’s Food Bank for essential food parcels but the facility’s ability to deliver has been stretched to the limit due to staff shortages. This was a pressing concern raised by the members of the Section 79 Community and Social Development Oversight Committee during their recent visit to the facility. Located at Tshwane Fresh Produce Market in Pretoria West, the facility serves as a storage facility and distribution hub for food parcels, operating under the city’s Department of Community and Social Development. It provides social relief to vulnerable families and supports non-government organisations (NGOs) that care for homeless individuals. Committee Chairperson Rebecca Monchusi expressed concerns over logistical hurdles hindering the Food Bank’s ability to meet growing operational demands. She said that among concerns…

A slap across the face by a Tshwane chief licensing officer, meted out to a member of the public who was trying to renew her driver’s licence at the Centurion licence office, has cost the officer his job. The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) tried in vain before the Johannesburg Labour Court to have the dismissal of licence officer Silulami Mvinjelwa, a shop steward, overturned. It all started when the officer refused to accept a certified copy of a woman’s ID document. An altercation apparently ensued between him and the woman, only identified in the labour court judgment as Ms Basson. This, according to Basson’s evidence, led to the slap, which Mvinjelwa denied. According to him, he was only trying to help her by directing her to his supervisor,…

Hugo Broos has put his head on the block and named the person he believes should succeed him as the Bafana Bafana coach after the 2026 Fifa World Cup in North America. Broos has been the apple of many eyes in South African football over the last few days. He led the team to the global showpiece for the first time since the 2002 edition, having only qualified as hosts in 2010. The event, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will not only mark a full circle for the Belgian, who competed in the 1986 World Cup with his native country in Mexico, but it will also be his last major tournament as a coach, as he’ll call time on his career. Broos’ career, which…

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels was set to start against the Glasgow Warriors tonight, but Johan Ackermann had to pull him from the team after it emerged that he is facing a suspension for allegedly grabbing the genitals of a Connacht player last week. Wessels faces a nine-match ban for his alleged part in an altercation with flank Josh Murphy at a ruck. While the Bulls are expected to appeal the ruling — there is no television evidence to back up Murphy’s contention that he had been assaulted — it does not help the Bulls for their tour finale. “There’s no news yet on Jan-Hendrik,” Ackermann said after naming a freshened-up team for the match that includes returning captain Ruan Nortje and former captain Marcell Coetzee. “He would have played, of…

As the Proteas Women gear up for tomorrow’s World Cup showdown against Australia, the team carries a wave of momentum, having won five straight matches on the sport’s biggest stage. The clash will see the team at the top of the World Cup table take on the second-placed side in what promises to be a thrilling encounter between two women’s cricketing powerhouses. For Proteas opener Tazmin Brits, who has represented South Africa in two previous T20 World Cup finals, the team’s confidence has never been higher. “Going to those two finals definitely gave us a bit more experience as a team, but not just that — it’s also the capability of the team. We have a lot more belief in ourselves that we are ranked up there with the world’s…

South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the G20 Roadmap for faster, cheaper, more transparent, and more inclusive cross-border payments by 2027, as part of its G20 Presidency Finance Track priorities. Speaking at the opening of the second day of the G20 Conference on Cross-Border Payments on Thursday, South African Reserve Bank Governor, Lesetja Kganyago, highlighted the collective responsibility to modernise and integrate regional payment systems. “Cross-border payments are the lifeblood of international trade, investment, capital and remittance flows and economic integration. Despite their critical role, cross-border transactions remain far too costly, slow and opaque, especially in emerging markets and developing economies," Kganyago said. "As part of South Africa’s G20 Presidency, we have placed cross-border payments high on the Finance Track agenda. Our goal is to enrich the global…

Diversified mining and metals company South32 has announced that its chair, Karen Wood AM, will retire from the Board in February 2026, marking the end of an eight-year tenure that has overseen significant portfolio transformation and progress on sustainability. Following a formal succession process, the board has elected Stephen Pearce to succeed Wood as chair, effective February 2026. Pearce joined the board as an independent non-executive director in February 2025 and brings over three decades of financial and commercial experience in the global resources sector. Wood joined the South32 board in November 2017 and was elected chair in 2019. During her tenure, she served on the remuneration, sustainability, and nomination and governance committees, providing what the company described as “exceptional leadership and strategic oversight” through South32’s shift towards commodities critical…

Clicks Group faces a busy 2026 financial year as it plans to open 40 – 50 stores, and 40 – 50 pharmacies, as well as 10 - 15 Unicare specialised pharmacies over a longer period. The health and beauty retailer's results for the year to August 31, 2025, showed Thursday that in the past year, its store base expanded to over 990, following the opening of a net 55 stores, and the national pharmacy network was expanded to 780 with the opening of a net 60 pharmacies. “The group once again demonstrated the resilience of its core product offering in a weak trading environment, delivering growth across its strategic pillars of value, convenience, differentiation and personalisation,” CEO Bertina Engelbrecht said. In the new financial year, Clicks’ management aims to leverage…

American alternative R&B trio Moonchild has officially announced their upcoming album Waves, set for release on February 20, 2026. The group, made up of Amber Navran, Andris Mattson and Max Bryk, shared the news on Instagram, revealing the project days after releasing their newest single Ride The Wave. “Our 6th album Waves is coming out 2/20! Waves is about grief, healing, and growth. It’s about finding strength, resilience, self-worth and community through challenges. It’s a vulnerable and personal continuation of our sound and path as a band. We can’t wait to share it with you,” the caption read. This will be the band’s sixth studio album and their first since 2022’s Starfruit. Known for their smooth mix of R&B, soul and pop, Moonchild continue to expand their sound while staying…

Gauteng Premier and ANC chairperson in Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi, remains unconcerned by the DA’s announcement yesterday that it plans to table a motion of no confidence against him. The DA attributes this decision to his “failed and costly Crime Prevention Wardens programme”, widely known as AmaPanyaza as it claims to have the necessary numbers to successfully oust Lesufi. This comes hot on the heels of Lesufi’s announcement that the AmaPanyaza programme will be disbanded in a phased approach over the next 36 months, with wardens undergoing retraining to become fully-fledged Traffic Officers. The DA views this decision as an admission of failure and a vindication of their long-standing criticisms. Lesufi’s spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, was dismissive of the DA’s efforts. “To date, they’ve not won a single motion since the establishment…

As more than 900 000 matriculants sat for their final examinations yesterday, the spotlight in Gauteng fell on the more than 200 Forte Secondary School learners in Dobsonville, Soweto. The principal, Mukosi Mudavhi, has set a target of a 90% Bachelor pass for the school this year. This non-fee-paying school, considered one of the best in the province, is once again aiming for a 100% overall pass mark. A Bachelor pass is the highest achievement a learner can earn in the matric exams, and Forte Secondary School believes this target is achievable to give their learners something to be proud of. “We have made all the preparations to be able to achieve this target. Firstly, we reopened much earlier than expected. We also did our monthly tasks and targets throughout…

In the Tembisa Hospital corruption scandal, pressure is mounting for arrests. The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has called the hospital an “active crime scene” and demanded that those responsible for the embezzlement of public funds be taken swiftly. This follows a protest held on Octobe 22, by OUTA members outside Tembisa Hospital, where officials were handed, a memorandum demanding accountability after a damning Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report exposed the looting of over R2 billion, a scandal allegedly linked to businessmen Vusi “Cat” Matlala and Morgan Maumela at the heart of one of Gauteng’s largest healthcare corruption cases. The organisation called for the immediate arrest of all those implicated in the corruption scandal, stressing that arrests alone are not enough. OUTA member Ali Gule praised the SIU for its…

The Atlantic Seaboard and social media are abuzz with rumours that the legendary South African DJ and producer Nkosinathi Maphumulo, popularly known as Black Coffee, has bought one of the most expensive homes in South Africa, nestled in Nettleton Road in Clifton, Cape Town. Nettle Road is regarded as the country’s most exclusive street, and the luxury house sold for a whopping R157 500.000 a short while back. Given its natural beauty and easy access to other parts of Cape Town, the road slopes up Lion’s Head mountain, and is known as the pinnacle of luxury living. It was reported that the home was sold to a company owned solely by Black Coffee. The alleged acquisition has come shortly after Black Coffee’s high-profile divorce from his ex-wife, Enhle Mbali. Once…

Mamelodi Sundowns are aware of their shortcomings in continental football over the last nine years, which is why they want to maintain their momentum and build their character. Sundowns last ruled the continent in 2016 when they won their maiden CAF Champions League crown under coach Pitso Mosimane. They came close to winning the title last season but lost to Pyramids at the final hurdle. Enter the current campaign. All eyes are on coach Miguel Cardoso to finally lead his troops to the promised land as that would be one of the few reasons strong enough to retain him for another season. After receiving a bye in the first round of the preliminary qualifiers, Sundowns showed their determination to reach the group stage by hammering Nigeria’s Remo Stars 5-1 in…