Table of contents for 2025-04-29 in Star

The Prudential Authority (PA) has taken decisive action against Absa Bank, imposing administrative sanctions totalling R10 million following an inspection in 2022. This enforcement is part of the authority's ongoing mandate to ensure accountable institutions adhere to the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FIC Act) of 2001. The PA on Friday said that the sanctions arose from serious breaches regarding compliance with customer due diligence regulations aimed at preventing financial crime. During its investigation, the PA identified significant shortfalls in Absa's adherence to essential provisions of the FIC Act. The violations included inadequate customer due diligence practices on certain client files, particularly concerning foreign prominent public officials (FPPOs) and politically exposed persons (PEPs) associated with state-owned enterprises. Specifically, the bank failed to conduct thorough reviews on four FPPO files and…

The renewable energy sector in South Africa faces potential upheaval as the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) reviews 82 tariff codes, a move which has been flagged by industry experts as having more penalties than incentives. As various stakeholders await the final review, expected by the end of the year, the implications of the proposed changes could reshape the landscape for manufacturers and importers in the renewable energy value chain. XA Global Trade Advisors CEO Donald Mackay on Friday the review looked to increase tariffs on 82 tariff codes in the renewable energy value chain, which was a really big deal. “I am not proposing for a second ITAC. It will automatically increase tariffs on everything. But if they were to increase it to the rate they want to take…

Tongaat Hulett is unquestionably one of South Africa’s most vital sugar producers. Tongaat Hulett continues to operate effectively and is firmly on the road to recovery in anticipation of the successful implementation of its business rescue plan. Business rescue is, by nature, a complex process that requires a careful balancing of competing interests while providing a lifeline to companies teetering on the brink of collapse. In the case of Tongaat Hulett, this lifeline has not only sustained the business and those who rely on it but also positioned the company to play a crucial role in securing the long-term sustainability of the sugar industry. This achievement is even more remarkable considering the company’s dire situation just three years ago, when it lost R12 billion in value due to…

In the wake of last week's alarming report from Anthropic—the AI safety company founded by former OpenAI researchers and creators of Claude, a leading AI assistant competing with ChatGPT—I find myself increasingly concerned about our collective capacity for discernment in this accelerating AI era. And this comes from someone who considers Claude his favourite AI tool, one that can positively augment all kinds of important work. The report by Anthropic researchers Ken Lebedev, Alex Moix and Jacob Klein reveals a disturbing evolution: a financially-motivated "influence-as-a-service" operation that leveraged Claude to orchestrate over 100 distinct social media personas across X and Facebook. This sophisticated network engaged with tens of thousands of authentic users while promoting narratives that, among other things, "supported or undermined European, Iranian, UAE, and Kenyan interests." Slow-burn manipulation…

NBCUniversal has officially signed a multi-year collaboration with Snoop Dogg’s Death Row Pictures. The agreement comes after years of productive partnerships with the rapper, which have paved the way for the expansion of creative ventures across television, film and live entertainment. The partnership will allow NBCUniversal to have first-look rights on film and television concepts from Death Row Pictures, which will now make its home at Universal Studios. “Not everyone has the courage and vision to see what Death Row Pictures can bring to the table, but Donna and the NBCUniversal team have always understood, which is why I am proud to call NBCUniversal my new home. “The Dogg has officially moved into the neighbourhood, ya dig?” shared the hip hop icon and seasoned entrepreneur through a statement. One of…

EFF President Julius Malema has joined the chorus calling for Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, along with his Director-General, Duncan Pieterse, to resign over the VAT battle. The Red Berets leader made the call during a media briefing after the Western Cape High Court’s full bench set aside the adopted 2025 Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals and suspended the implementation of the VAT increase from 15% to 15.5%. The EFF and the DA had approached the court to have the VAT increase announcement by Godongwana as well as the adoption of the finance committee’s report by both houses set aside. The DA, part of the Government of National Unity alongside the ANC, initially called for Godongwana’s resignation. Malema stated that the court’s decision represents a victory for the people of South…

THIS year marks 31 years of South Africa’s freedom from apartheid. The advent of democracy in 1994 was characterised by euphoria and ecstasy. This was expected, especially among those who had been excluded from voting. The apartheid regime used its ‘divide and rule’ strategy through what it called the ‘Tricameral Parliament’ which somewhat accommodated coloureds and Indians through the House of Representatives and the House of Delegates. It was only in 1994 that all South Africans of voting age cast their votes. There were high hopes and optimism about the future of post-apartheid South Africa. Among the anticipated changes were the creation of jobs, reduction and eventually ending of poverty, embracing racial equality, and many such developments. In a way, those who held such high hopes were vindicated when Reconstruction…

Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Fabian McCarthy believes leadership gaps and inconsistent performances are at the heart of the club’s defensive woes in what has been a turbulent 2024/25 Betway Premiership season. Chiefs’ defensive frailties were once again exposed over the weekend as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Marumo Gallants, a result that further dented their hopes of a strong finish this season. With that defeat, Amakhosi’s defensive record took another blow, pushing them into the unwanted position of being the third-highest conceding team in the Betway Premiership. Only Gallants (37) and AmaZulu (33) have allowed more goals, with Chiefs conceding 31 in their 26 outings. Despite numerous changes to the backline throughout the campaign, coach Nasreddine Nabi has struggled to find a solid defensive unit. He has rotated…

South Africa’s United Rugby Championship (URC) teams bagged a full house of victories at the weekend and are sitting pretty as the tournament approaches the playoffs stage. The 16 teams have completed 16 of the 18 league rounds and after taking a break for this week’s Challenge and Champions Cup semi-finals, there will be a frantic fortnight of games before the top eight is settled and the quarter-finalists identified. The Bulls and Sharks are guaranteed quarter-final spots, and the Stormers are just about there, thanks to a strong surge up the table in recent weeks. The Lions ended a five-match losing streak by well beating Connacht at Ellis Park, but they might have left their push for the play-offs too late. They are in 13th position and technically could still…

IMF warning comes as South Africa is grappling with measures to raise revenue The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that the spectre of escalating trade tensions, combined with rising financial costs in developed economies, will complicate the economic landscape for sub-Saharan Africa. IMF director of the African Department, Abebe Selassie, said on Friday the sentiment surrounding sub-Saharan Africa was cautiously optimistic six months ago, marked by the region's gradual recovery from the economic repercussions of past global upheavals. However, Selassie said a new wave of global policy uncertainty has emerged, posing serious threats to this fragile recovery just as policymakers began to see the fruits of their hard work. He said recent forecasts projected regional growth at a robust rate exceeding expectations, particularly for 2024 but external forces have…

South Africa’s consumers received a sliver of hope this week as Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) announced a significant drop in inflation from 3.2% to 2.7% in March, marking the lowest level seen in five years. While this decline was seen as a promising development, experts warned that many households were still grappling with rising costs that continue to exert pressure on their budgets. Neil Roets, CEO of Debt Rescue, welcomed the news, suggesting it might bolster the case for a potential interest rate cut. “This brings a glimmer of hope to struggling South African households and strengthens the case for a potential interest rate cut. Lower inflation reduces pressure on the Reserve Bank, and while a cautious approach is likely, we’re hopeful that rate relief will come before…

Intelligent driving features are the new battleground in China's merciless car market, with competition spurring brands to world-leading advances -- but a recent fatal crash has seen the government intervene to put the brakes on runaway enthusiasm. Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) help with tasks ranging from cruise control to parking and collision avoidance, with the ultimate aim being a fully self-driving car. Automakers are pouring investment into their development, especially in the world's biggest car market China, which skews young and tech-savvy. "Ten years ago, only 15 percent of customers said they would change car because of an intelligent cockpit -- today it's 54 percent," Giovanni Lanfranchi of EV firm Zeekr said. Almost 60 percent of cars sold in China last year had level-two ADAS features -- where the driver…

Impala Platinum Holdings was one of the worst performers on the JSE on Thursday, following a production report that revealed a 5% decrease in its 6E Group production volumes to 2.60 million due to operational challenges and maintenance. The share price dropped 6.20% to R110.14 on Thursday, although it remains higher than R59.70 a year ago. The report indicated that managed volumes of the six platinum group metals—platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and gold—declined by 5% to 2.10 million. Joint venture (JV) production decreased by 2% to 430 000 ounces, while third-party receipts fell by 3% to to 144.000 ounces, compared to the previous year's production for the 9 months to March 31.. Despite these challenges, gross 6E refined and saleable production, as well as 6E sales volumes, increased by…

A growing sense of alarm surrounds the disappearance of three South African Police Service (SAPS) constables who went missing under mysterious circumstances while travelling from Bloemfontein to their deployment site in Limpopo. The case is the latest in a string of unexplained disappearances that have ignited concerns over the possible existence of a covert “third force” targeting security personnel, activists and journalists in South Africa. Constables Cebekhulu Linda (24), Keamogetswe Buys (30) and Boipelo Senoge (20) were last seen on Wednesday near the Grasmere toll plaza on the N1 highway, where their vehicle, a white Volkswagen Polo (registration number JCL 401 FS), was tracked to an Engen fuel station. Since then, their vehicle’s tracking device and their mobile phones have gone dark. SAPS national spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, confirmed the…

Disgraced ex-police officer Frederick Soldaat, who was convicted last month for the rape of a 15-year-old girl, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. It took nine years to convict the former warrant officer. The incident took place in Montagu in August 2016 and was investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid). He also resigned from the police service in 2017. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the Montagu Regional Court has sentenced Soldaat to 25 years direct imprisonment after the court deviated from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment due to the accused’s medical condition. “During the trial, State Advocate Heinrich Koert led evidence that revealed that the victim’s mother brought the victim to the trauma room following a disagreement with her daughter at home.…

The Vatican has confirmed that the papal conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis will commence on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. This date follows the recent death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, and adheres to the Church’s protocol, which allows for a conclave to begin up to 20 days after the papacy becomes vacant. The conclave will take place in the Sistine Chapel, with about 135 cardinal-electors under the age of 80 eligible to participate. These cardinals, representing 71 countries, will gather to select the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. The conclave is expected to last several days, with multiple ballots held daily. A two-thirds majority is required for the election of a new pope. Traditionally, the outcome of each ballot is signalled by the…

Liverpool centre-half Ibrahima Konate revealed manager Arne Slot told the team last summer they could win the Premier League title this season. The Dutchman replaced Jurgen Klopp in July 2024 and duly put an end to Manchester City's record run of four consecutive league triumphs when he guided Liverpool to a 20th English top-flight title on Sunday following a 5-1 demolition of Tottenham at a jubilant Anfield. "I think he brings something new, like the style of playing," 25-year-old Konate said. "Just before we started the season he showed us why we didn't win the league the year before, some details, and he said if we change that and improve on that we have a big chance to win the league. "And that's what we've done since the start of…

Napoli coach Antonio Conte said it was time to savour the moment after his side went three points clear in the Serie A title race with victory against Torino on Sunday with the win also securing their return to Europe's elite club competition. Two first-half goals from Scott McTominay helped Napoli to a 2-0 home success, sending them above defending champions Inter Milan in the standings after Simone Inzaghi's side stumbled to a shock 1-0 home loss against AS Roma. "It's not the first time we're in the lead, we've been in the lead more than anyone else," Conte said after the match. "However, there are fewer and fewer games and you can pay for any type of mistake in a big way. We are mathematically in the Uefa Champions…

The home crowd support at the Sun City Superbowl in Rustenburg has been credited with fanning the North West Flames in their strong start to the Telkom Netball League 2025. The raucous crowd also roared Tshukudu, a Division 2 side from the province, to a convincing win over the Limpopo Lilies in an intense match on the second day of competition. The Tshukudu supporters brought the house down with their energetic cheering and vibrant spirit, lifting the team. Their passionate backing clearly fuelled the players' confidence, helping Tshukudu maintain momentum and finish strongly. Flames coach Elsunet du Plessis highlighted the significant role the crowd had played in their shock 60-57 win over the Jaguars from Gauteng in a thrilling and fast-paced match. “I think it is amazing to have the…

Hundreds of companies are up in arms over a “mismanaged” audit process, worth R515 million, launched by the Department of Labour and Employment (DEL) to probe potential theft of benefits provided to workers across South Africa during Covid-19. The Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (TERS), administered by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), was implemented to assist employers to pay employees who were employed but not working because of the lockdown. The TERS program, administered by UIF, paid out R57 billion to 13.4 million workers through 1.1 million companies during the pandemic, according to minutes from a November 2021 Standing Committee on Public Accounts Parliamentary Committee Meeting. These benefits, research by UNU Wider states, saved at least two million jobs. However, Corruption Watch, summing up various investigations by law enforcement officials, stated…

Chinese equities entered 2025 with positive momentum. Years of policy overhangs were finally beginning to lift. The combination of renewed stimulus, stabilising property markets, and a tech-sector rebound had markets pricing in a turning point. That optimism was tested in March, when the United States imposed sweeping new tariffs on Chinese imports — with Beijing responding in kind. The tariff war rattled sentiment. But despite the trade war escalation, Foord remains cautiously optimistic. The Chinese policy stance has turned meaningfully pro-growth. Since September 2024, the Chinese government has rolled out significant fiscal and monetary support for the world’s second largest economy. The first quarter of 2025 saw record government bond issuance, targeted rate cuts, and renewed infrastructure investment — all designed to offset persistent domestic weakness and the growing drag…

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has welcomed Tanzania’s decision to lift its recent import ban on South African agricultural products. Announced on Saturday, the resolution reflects the effective dialogue established between Lamola and his Tanzanian counterpart, highlighting the enduring strength of the relationship between the two nations. “We agreed to facilitate the resolution of all outstanding issues,” Lamola said. “This outcome demonstrates that the diplomatic route remains the most effective path to resolving challenges. Together, we prove that cooperation and mutual understanding can unlock shared opportunities.” The announcement comes as Tanzania commemorates its 61st anniversary of unification—a significant milestone celebrated on 26 April, the day in 1964 when Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the United Republic of Tanzania. Lamola hailed this occasion as a “beacon of…

As governments around the world face increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, the need for robust cyber resilience is more urgent than ever. In South Africa, the public sector has become a prime target for cybercriminals, with an alarming 3,312 ransomware attacks recorded each week. This underscores the critical importance of strengthening cyber defences to safeguard sensitive data and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential services. The challenges are not insignificant. Government entities often rely on basic antivirus solutions that, while helpful, are no longer sufficient to defend against modern cyberattacks. As threat actors become more sophisticated, utilising AI-driven tools to orchestrate attacks, the public sector is finding itself increasingly vulnerable. However, with the right approach and technology, government institutions can overcome these challenges and significantly enhance their cyber resilience. The evolving…

The agricultural industry in South Africa has given mixed reactions to the reversal of the proposed 0.5 percentage points increas in the Value-Added Tax (VAT) by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana that the proposed on Thursday. Francois Rossouw, CEO of Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai), on Friday said that the reversal of the proposed VAT increase was positive news for the agricultural sector and the consumers. “A VAT increase would have put additional financial pressure on farmers, particularly smaller-scale and emerging producers who are often not VAT-registered and therefore unable to reclaim increased input costs. It would also have negatively impacted consumer affordability of essential agricultural products,” he said. Rossouw added that while the VAT remaining at 15% would alleviate immediate cost pressures, the sector was still faing significant challenges, including…

South African jazz vocalist and professor Miriam Altman has released her highly anticipated debut jazz single, The Train. The song is currently being aired on radio stations and is available on all major music streaming platforms. Altman, a captivating musical storyteller, draws listeners into her personal and profoundly felt world. Her journey has been marked by diverse experiences, incorporating a rich tapestry of cultural influences and musical inspirations. Originally trained as a classical soprano, Altman has emerged in the jazz genre after a considerable hiatus. “In my youth, I trained in classical and opera, quit when I was 21 ... But I felt this pull ever since then to come back to it, but not so much to classical, more in the lane of jazz. I have been quite literally…

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has confirmed that Riverlea High School was rocked by a fire on Sunday, which destroyed 11 classrooms and left the school community reeling as authorities scramble to determine the cause. Provincial education spokesperson Steve Mabona explained that the blaze broke out around 6pm in an unused classroom and quickly engulfed an entire block, ultimately destroying 11 classrooms. “These 11 classrooms have been completely burnt down along with their furniture. Of the affected classrooms, 4 of them were actively being used by Grade 8 learners, while the remainder were unoccupied. Furthermore, the entire boys’ toilet block was destroyed in the fire, which will affect all boy learners at the school.” He added that the GDE is working swiftly to put measures in place to ensure…

Various organisations, including unions and civil rights groups, have refused to celebrate Freedom Day due to socio-economic challenges 31 years into democracy. They argue that the social backlogs democracy promised to overcome have instead deepened. Freedom Day marks South Africa’s first post-apartheid election on April 27, 1994, when a new path was paved, and the idea of a rainbow nation was cemented. This was the first democratic national election where all people could vote irrespective of their skin colour. Despite this gain, South Africa faces multiple interconnected socio-economic challenges, including high unemployment, inequality, and poverty, exacerbated by corruption, poor infrastructure, and limited access to basic services. The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) stated that while the political right to vote was achieved in 1994, economic liberation has been…

Saturday’s much-anticipated Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at the legendary FNB Stadium is facing a significant hurdle after it emerged that the pitch would not be in optimal shape, potentially hampering preparations for this iconic clash. Throughout the current season, several PSL matches, especially those attracting full-capacity crowds, have been marred by complaints over inadequate playing surfaces. Despite these growing concerns, the PSL has sidestepped accountability, often dismissing the issue by claiming they do not own the stadiums. Nonetheless, as the governing body of South African football, they are responsible for ensuring that all playing surfaces are fit for purpose. They must set standards, conduct regular inspections, and, when necessary, provide guidance on how to maintain pitches to ensure they are safe and up to standard. Over…

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will have to beat one of the most influential figures in his football life when the Gunners face Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain in the Uefa Champions League semi-finals. Arteta’s side host PSG in the first leg on Tuesday as the Spaniard aims to lead Arsenal to only the second Champions League final appearance in their history. Standing in his way is a close friend who, along with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, played a major role in his compatriot’s impressive transition from the pitch to the dug-out. Luis Enrique was a senior star at Barcelona when Arteta started his playing career at the Camp Nou, a period that had a major impact on his managerial philosophy with Arsenal. “He was extremely supportive with the young players,…

No sooner had the final whistle sounded at Anfield, confirming Arne Slot’s historic title feat at Liverpool, did the doubters start trying to downplay the achievement. Koppites celebrated late into the night after the 5-1 win over Tottenham, painting the town red (Bok captain Siya Kolisi was part of the throng). But the debate has already started about where Slot’s triumph ranks among the great debut seasons by a Premier League manager. Dilly ding, dilly dong ‘Special One’ Jose Mourinho is thrown into the mix for his first-season heroics at Chelsea. Claudio Ranieri’s dilly ding, dilly dong season at Leicester is still the stuff of Foxes fairytales. While Slot’s championship pales in comparison to Leicester’s for shock value, no one also saw it coming. The Dutchman was supposed to struggle…

Mamelodi Sundowns will have little time to revel in their hard-fought victory over Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League semi-finals over the weekend. They will turn their attention to the domestic scene as they gear up for two clashes in the Betway Premiership this week. The champions are eager to maintain their momentum in a league where every point counts. The South African champions will face Richards Bay at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday. Sundowns enter the match with an impressive nine-point lead over rivals Orlando Pirates, who are hot on their heels with two games in hand. This position, while advantageous, does not afford coach Miguel Cardoso and his players the luxury of complacency. As the league nears its conclusion, with just eight games remaining in the…