Table of contents for 2025-05-06 in Mercury

South Africa’s economy continues to be threatened by illegal trade, specifically in sectors such as alcohol, tobacco, food items, pharmaceuticals, agri-chemicals, counterfeiting, mining, and wildlife trafficking. Illicit trade in tobacco and alcohol alone is estimated to cost government R30 billion a year in lost revenue. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s recent reversal of a 0.5 percentage point VAT hike will leave the fiscus with an estimated shortfall of R75bn. This is according to the South Africa Illicit Economy 2.0 Report, launched by the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade (TRACIT) in conjunction with Business Unity South Africa. “Illicit trade continues to pose a serious threat to South Africa’s economic stability, governance, and international standing,” the report said. This comes at a time when the country is endeavouring to get itself removed…

The South African rand strengthened on Monday to its highest levels in five weeks, after state utility Eskom said it was optimistic about the power outlook over the southern hemisphere winter, aiming for no electricity cuts in the next four months. Africa's most industrialised nation has experienced recurring power cuts for more than a decade that have constrained economic growth. Despite Eskom's efforts to significantly reduce outages from the record levels seen in 2023, investor confidence remains shaky due to 14 days of power cuts in January-April this year which Chief Executive Dan Marokane described as a temporary setback. At 1110 GMT, the rand traded at 18.2850 against the dollar , roughly 0.7% stronger than Friday's close. The greenback last traded slightly weaker against a basket of currencies as investors…

As a young professional, I walked into my first board meeting armed with a flagged and highlighted board-pack, binders of governance codes and well-studied charters, convinced that compliance was enough. In my mind, corporate governance was a sophisticated checklist; if we ticked all the boxes of compliance, we were doing a good job. I was wrong. That illusion shattered when an irregularity came up for discussion. Technically, the issue could have been swept under the rug without breaking any laws. It took one seasoned director who wisely advised, “Good governance isn’t about what you can get away with, but it’s about doing the right thing.” At that moment, I realised that governance is not just about compliance, but rather a matter of character. Too often, boards and executives reduce corporate…

Technology has been a force for good and bad. Sadly, we have hyped mostly the good and shied away from highlighting its negative elements. As a result, our society is less informed about the real impact of technology. Leaders and communities often adopt technologies without fully understanding the true cost, risks and implications of embracing technology. Throughout my career as a technologist, storyteller and analyst I’ve always felt the need to have conversations with an intention to better inform our society. I have a view that society often adopts tech without fully understanding its real implications. This is partly because the technology ecosystem is offered in a way that grants you limited freedom to choose. It creates an impression that you have a choice, however that choice is often…

MTN South Africa said it will offer 1.2 million of its prepaid customers 4G smartphones for as little as R99 ($5.42) to support digital adoption for low-income households, as the country gears up to switch off 2G and 3G technologies. The initiative will be executed in three phases, starting this month until the end of 2026. In phase one, 5 000 "carefully selected" customers, based on usage profiles, spending patterns, and tenure, will be offered 4G smartphones, mainly in Gauteng province, MTN said in a statement on Monday. In phase two, more than 130 000 customers nationally will be offered the devices and then in the third phase, more than 1.1 million MTN customers across the country will benefit. The initiative comes as South Africa plans a total shutdown of…

Peabody Energy has taken a significant step in its planned acquisition of steelmaking coal assets from Anglo American Plc by formally notifying the latter of a Material Adverse Change (MAC). This pivotal development stems from complications related to the Moranbah North Mine, which has remained inactive since a gas ignition event occurred on March 31, 2025. Last month, Anglo American confirmed that it was engaging Peabody Energy in discussions to finalise the disposal of its Australian steelmaking coal assets to the United States-based company for $3.7 billion. In a statement on Monday, Peabody’s President and CEO, Jim Grech, expressed the company's challenge. "While we have remained on track to complete the steelmaking coal acquisition from Anglo, the issues at Moranbah North have created significant uncertainty around the transaction," Grech said.…

In a significant move to combat the widespread practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), the World Health Organisation (WHO) has released new guidelines aimed at preventing this harmful custom and providing better care for survivors. As the global community targets the abandonment of FGM by 2030, urgent measures are needed to address the concerning trend of the “medicalisation” of this traditional practice, which sees health workers performing these dangerous procedures. According to research by the WHO, over 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM in regions where the practice is prevalent, with more than 4 million girls at risk each year, many of whom are cut before they reach 15. The ramifications of FGM extend beyond the immediate dangers; it poses numerous long-term health risks that can…

I CANNOT resist “putting pen to paper”, as it used to be called, to bring attention to the ridiculous comments made by Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, ANC spokesperson. The Government of National Unity (GNU) should be exactly that, a coalition of the various parties in this country to debate, argue and eventually to agree on a point. In this case, the discussion on the VAT increase went on for weeks after the Finance Minister unilaterally announced a 2% increase. What did he expect? That the other parties would bow down meekly to something they did not agree with, and were not even consulted on? The ANC does not rule the roost any longer… it is in a GNU. Does the ANC not understand what that means? It appears not. Eventually, through…

A FINANCIAL report has laid bare the deepening financial crises faced by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education, painting a picture of an entity drowning in debt. The department owes close to R250 million to the eThekwini Municipality for water delivered by water tankers, as detailed in the financial report released by the municipality last week. This comes as the department is already battling to service a debt owed by Section 21 schools to the municipality for services. It was not immediately clear over what period the debt has been accumulated, but the report covers the latest period from January to March and details all debts owed to the municipality, including by consumers, business, and government. The financial state of the department is a concern to political parties and the South…

IN what is sure to become a highlight for South African tourism, the country has been recognised as one of the world’s most desirable countries to visit in the esteemed 2024 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards. While not claiming the top spot, South Africa’s impressive 7th place ranking puts it ahead of travel hotspots such as Brazil, South Korea, and Peru, affirming its allure in the global tourism market. The Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards are determined by the voices of avid travellers, with over 3 million votes cast by 168 000 globetrotters this year. This marks the 23rd annual event, celebrating destinations, tour operators, and travel brands across of 22 categories, which include the most desirable countries and cities worldwide. South Africa shone particularly brightly in the wildlife and nature…

KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has sounded the alarm over the growing number of people in the province who have been defaulting on life-saving antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, revealing that more than 200 000 individuals are believed to have stopped taking their medication. Simelane is calling on them to urgently return to care as the province intensifies its efforts under the Close the Gap campaign which is a national initiative aimed at re-enrolling more than 1.1 million South Africans who have stopped HIV treatment. The KZN health department has committed to tracing and bringing back 117 616 ARV defaulters by December. “We are really determined to bring people back on treatment,” Simelane said during a recent Department’s KZN Health Chat programme. “No one should die because they’ve stopped taking medication…

WHILE the latest data for South Africa showed an easing in inflation, food prices in the country saw a sharp increase. Data released by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity (PMBEJD) in its April 2025 Household Affordability Index showed that the price of a basic food basket increased by almost R100 month-on-month. In April, consumers had to fork out R5 420.30 to fill up a basic food basket. That means the average cost of the Household Food Basket increased by R90.94 (1.7%), from R5 329.36 in March 2025. The average cost of the Household Food Basket increased by R83.99 (1.6%) year-on-year, from R5 336.31 in April 2024 to R5 420.30 in April 2025. In April, of the 44 foods tracked in the basket, 24 foods increased in price, and…

A groundbreaking initiative that aims to promote the use of traditional medicine while also supporting conservation efforts has been announced for the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea) has announced the establishment of the Empilweni Herbs Distribution Pharmacy in Mtubatuba. MEC for Edtea Musa Zondi made the announcement recently, highlighting the importance of traditional medicine. Zondi said traditional health practitioners (THPs) are vital in delivering culturally rooted and accessible healthcare to many communities in KZN. “In recognition of this, and in alignment with our commitment to biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource use, we are proud to announce the establishment of the Empilweni Distribution Pharmacy for Traditional Health Practitioners, located at the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve.” The initiative is led by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.…

The Blitzboks haven’t fired on all cylinders this season, but this past weekend they delivered an outstanding performance that brought them the SVNS World Championship title in Los Angeles. Defeating Spain 19-5 in the final in the early hours of Monday morning (SA time) at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Springboks Sevens brought the curtain down on a season with ups and downs by claiming the spoils of the final tournament. They took the tough road to the title but won it in style. Their performance, especially on defence, was reminiscent of the Blitzboks side that dominated the World Series when current head coach Philip Snyman was still the captain. Snyman’s troops showed over the weekend why they shouldn’t be written off even if the season did not entirely go…

With Liverpool’s dominance having turned the race for the English Premier League title into a doddle, at least the dash for Uefa Champions League football next season has given footie fans something to get excited about in the run-in. Surprise package Nottingham Forest had the potential to join Newcastle United (fourth) and Chelsea (fifth) on 63 points with victory over Crystal Palace on Monday night. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men seemed to have blown their chance with a recent dip in form, but they are still firmly in with a shout, no matter last night’s result. Their remaining fixtures are against relegated Leicester, struggling West Ham and Chelsea, which could be a straight shoot-out for a Champions League spot. The Blues were arguably gifted three points as part of Arne Slot’s…

Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of the season, describing it as the “hardest decision” of his life ahead of a widely expected move to Real Madrid. Alexander-Arnold is out of contract at the end of June, and the England right-back’s future has been the subject of intense speculation throughout Liverpool’s Premier League title charge this season. “After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season,” the 26-year-old posted on X. “This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life.” Reports suggest contract negotiations over a free transfer to Real Madrid are at an advanced stage. He will depart as a Premier League champion,…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a stark warning in its April 2025 outlook, highlighting the critical issue of rising global debt. As nations grapple with increasing public finances, the IMF suggested that a re-evaluation of fiscal frameworks was imperative to navigate an uncertain economic landscape. According to the IMF, existing major policy shifts—particularly recent tariff announcements by the United States, which have prompted retaliatory measures from other countries—were driving financial market volatility and weakening growth prospects. This backdrop of escalating uncertainty was exacerbated by already high levels of debt in multiple countries, further strained by the necessity of accommodating indelible increases in spending, including defence budgets. The IMF projects that global public debt will surge by 2.8 percentage points in 2025, more than double the estimates for the…

South Africa's Democratic Alliance party is going to court to challenge a new employment law that sets racial targets for large employers in an attempt to address the economic inequality that is a persistent legacy of former racist white minority rule. The Employment Equity Amendment Act, which came into effect in January, allows the labour minister to set targets per sector for the number of non-white people and women who should be in management-level and professionally qualified roles. The DA, the second-biggest party in government, will argue in court on Tuesday that it is unconstitutional, party officials said on Monday, in a case that is causing further friction with its bigger coalition partner, the African National Congress. The topic is especially heated since U.S. President Donald Trump condemned South Africa…

Louis Brandeis famously coined the phrase, “Sunlight is the best disinfectant”. Given the repeated willful misrepresentations peddled by the steel mini mill companies of the Electric Steel Producers Association (ESPA), it is in the public interest not only to set the record straight regarding their unfounded claims, but to reveal the inconvenient truth behind their operations. Before doing so, it may be useful to provide some context regarding the steelindustry. A sustainable steel industry in South Africa will be able to contribute to economic growth and job creation, support infrastructure development and contribute to the country’s decarbonisation goals, while at the same time creating an opportunity for the development and export of greener steel. Unfortunately, the sustainability of the steel industry has been threatened due to national constraints such as…

As ransomware attacks become increasingly common, businesses must understand the difference between traditional Disaster Recovery (DR) and Cyber Recovery strategies. While DR centres on restoring IT operations following events like natural disasters, hardware failures or accidents, Cyber Recovery is specifically tailored to address intentional cyber threats such as ransomware and data breaches. Traditionally, DR included elements of cyber response to attacks. However, in recent years, cyberattacks have become so sophisticated and severe that they are now differentiated from DR for several reasons. A significant factor is the changing nature of attack vectors. Today's cyberattacks employ various methods, resulting in greater complexity compared to traditional DR, which has now undergone significant classification changes in the past decade. DR generally focuses on natural disasters, equipment malfunctions and accidental events, so when these…

South Africa's real estate sector continues to defy global and local market volatility and retail property in particular reflects a "remarkable recovery," according to Standard Bank Real Estate Coverage senior vice president Simon Fiford. “We've witnessed significant movements across global markets, shifting geopolitical dynamics, and ongoing volatility driven by persistent macroeconomic headwinds,” he said in a note on Monday. Anchor Capital CE Peter Armitage and co-chief investment officer Nolan Wapenaar said recent weeks, notably the first few weeks of April, were dominated by the more aggressive than expected approach by US President Donald Trump on import tariffs and fractures in South Africa’s Government of National Unity following Treasury’s bungled attempt to raise VAT. Currently, all global asset classes had slightly lower than expected returns on their outlooks, due to the…

Singer and entrepreneur Rethabile Khumalo has opened her very first mobile kitchen. Born from a dream once shared with her late mother, legendary singer Winnie Khumalo, this is a project close to her heart. During the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, Rethabile and Winnie had plans to start a food truck together, with a focus on burgers, but just as they were preparing to launch, tragedy struck. Winnie sadly passed away suddenly after a short illness, shattering not only the family’s world but also their business hopes. Rethabile, however, refused to let the dream die with her mother. In honour of Winnie’s memory, Rethabile pushed forward with the idea and launched her burger kitchen on her own. “We bought a food truck and we wanted to sell burgers,” she…

How many hours do you think you spend on your phone every day? From endless notifications and all-day access to your emails, to watching TikToks all night long, we really don’t realise just how much constantly being on our phones impacts our well-being. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s a good time to have a look at just how much digital overload impacts our mental health and what we can do to protect our minds while still staying connected. What is digital overload? Digital overload, also known as digital fatigue or information overload, happens when we consume more digital content than our brains can effectively process. While you might think that constantly being connected is harmless, it can, in fact, lead to stress, anxiety, sleep disturbances, decreased productivity,…

DA federal chairperson Helen Zille believes the proposed Employment Equity Amendment Act would drive more people out of jobs. Zille, who was addressing journalists ahead of the DA’s court case against the proposed Act, said South Africa needs jobs and growth – not race-based laws that block employment opportunities. She said this would drive unemployment up and increase economic decline. In a move that could further strain the Government of National Unity (GNU), the party approached the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, to challenge the constitutionality of the Employment Equity Amendment Act, which introduces rigid national race quotas in the workplace. The party believes this will destroy jobs, undermine the economy, and violate the constitutional rights of all South Africans. The matter is expected to be heard tomorrow. The ANC has…

Former South African ambassador to the US Ebrahim Rasool, who was expelled from Washington in March after accusing US President Donald Trump of promoting white supremacy, has warned that a new global conflict is under way, not over oil, but over critical minerals. Speaking at a Jumu’ah lecture at Masjidul Quds Institute in Cape Town recently, Rasool said: “Let me give you an example… the United States has identified 50 critical minerals for its immediate future if it is going to remain the leader and not cede leadership to China in the tech revolution. Of the 50, they are 100% dependent on other countries for 12. “They are more than 50% dependent for 29 of those 50 minerals. And they are dependent on China for 13 of those. And China…

THE trial of five men accused of killing former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates star goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa resumed before the High Court in Pretoria yesterday, where it was postponed again. Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng has adjourned the matter to May 19 for further cross-examination of the lead investigating officer in the murder case, Brigadier Bongani Gininda. Last week, it was reported that the trial had struggled to resume following the death of defence advocate Thulani Mngomezulu. He succumbed to illness on December 10 last year. Mngomezulu represented Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, and following his death, one of the other defence lawyers, Advocate Charles Mnisi, announced that he would be representing the murder-accused Sibiya. Last month, after a hiatus of almost three months, Mnisi asked Judge Mokgoatlheng to postpone the matter again. The…

The EFF has demanded that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana bear the costs associated with the R2.3 million wasted on his ill-fated Budget Speech in February. The Red Berets MP Omphile Maotwe made the call almost a week after the EFF and the DA took Godongwana to the Western Cape High Court over his first attempt to increase the VAT. The minister settled out of court with the DA and the EFF, setting the VAT hike aside, with the court subsequently ratifying the agreement. Maotwe, whose party had called for Godongwana to step down due to the Budget delivery fiasco, described the R2.3m, which was spent preparing for the Budget, as wasteful expenditure. “All of this was avoidable had the minister simply listened to the millions of South Africans who rejected…

The general manager of the Premier Soccer League and his wife appeared in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court in Cape Town yesterday on fraud and money laundering charges. Andile ‘Ace’ Ncobo, a former international referee, and his wife, Salome, 47, face charges related to donations amounting to R15 million for school construction projects in the Eastern Cape. The pair made a brief appearance in court and were granted bail. Ncobo was granted bail of R50 000 while his wife was granted bail of R30 000. The State alleges that Ncobo and his wife embarked on a scheme to obtain money from Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa SOC Limited (PetroSA) in a fraudulent manner in favour of themselves, their family members, and/or entities in which they had a vested…

McLaren continued their dominant run in the 2025 season with a brilliant one-two finish at the Miami Grand Prix. The Surrey-based outfit are now the undoubted favourite to reclaim the constructors’ championship, despite only six races having been completed. They hold a commanding 106-point lead over second-placed Mercedes (141 points), with Red Bull trailing further behind on 105 points. Though Oscar Piastri has carved out an early lead, the world drivers’ championship remains wide open, as fierce wheel-to-wheel battles stir memories of the electrifying 2021 duel between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Here, Obakeng Meletse unpacks three key talking points from an action-packed Miami GP weekend. Playing catch-up Lando Norris’ hunger to reignite his season backfired once again, as his aggressive duel with Verstappen cost him valuable track position and…

At the young age of 27-years old Damian Willemse will reach 100 caps for the Stormers when he takes to the field on Saturday afternoon against the Dragons. The double World Cup winner will celebrate his birthday on Wednesday and will hope to cap off the week with a victory when he brings up his century of games for the Cape side in their second-last United Rugby Championship (URC) round-robin match. Since his injury return, Willemse, alongside Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, breathed a breath of fresh air into the attacking game plan of the inaugural URC champions. He hopes they can continue with that running style on Saturday as they look to claim a place in the URC quarter-finals. Willemse, Willemse, who made his debut at 18-years old, says he’s been privileged…

The autumn sun shone brightly over Kaizer Chiefs’ base in Naturena yesterday morning, as midfielder Gaston Sirino soaked it all in. The Uruguayan addressed the media with confidence. His responses were articulate – impressive for someone who has only just learned English. It was as though he had anticipated the questions, hardly hesitating as he expressed himself. Sirino has shown that same character since his arrival in South Africa, where he achieved domestic success with Mamelodi Sundowns, winning every trophy available. At one stage, there were even calls for him to be naturalised and represent Bafana Bafana – though that never materialised. His unexpected move from Mamelodi Sundowns to Chiefs last season surprised many, given his success with the Tshwane giants. However, despite Sundowns’ recent dominance, Chiefs remain arguably the…

Power utility outlines comprehensive plan to ensure a more stable electricity supply Eskom is entering the winter of 2025 with a renewed sense of optimism, reporting significant improvements in its performance metrics while acknowledging ongoing operational challenges. In the latest winter outlook from 1 April to 31 August 2025, the power utility on Monday outlined a comprehensive plan aimed at ensuring a more stable electricity supply during the colder months. According to Eskom CEO Dan Marokane, the winter preparations were a testament to the hard-earned victories achieved over the past year. “Against this progress, we have seen some setbacks in operational excellence, as evidenced by the recent loadshedding requirements between January to April 2025,” Marokane said. “A targeted plan has been put in place to reinforce operational discipline and accelerate…

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has proposed the establishment of three dedicated war rooms focusing on pivotal areas: the economy and jobs, poverty and hunger, and clean governance. Speaking at a business breakfast session and launch of the Transformation Fund at Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum in Pretoria, Mashatile on Monday said the country currently faced one of the highest levels of economic inequality globally, with a Gini co-efficient of 0.63 and a poverty rate of 17.82% highlighting the significant disparity in income and wealth. "The war rooms will not follow the normal Cabinet process but instead, they will take a deliverology approach, which is the discipline of getting things done. We will do stock takes, deep dives, and intervene decisively where there is no progress," Mashatile said. He said…

The Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) has revealed a brighter outlook for South Africa's maize farmers, forecasting a commercial maize crop of 14.664 million tons for 2025. This represents a significant increase of 0.72%—or 105 200 tons—over the previous estimate of 14.559 million tons. Farmers and agricultural experts alike are heralding this news as a positive sign for the sector, noting the forecasted crop's 14.12% leap compared to the 2024 harvest, which amounted to 1.814 million tons more. According to the CEC's findings, the yield is set at 5.65 tons per hectare, with the three primary maize-producing regions—Free State, Mpumalanga, and North West—projected to contribute 81% of the total 2025 crop. The report breaks down the maize production further, estimating that white maize will account for 7.757 million tons, a gain…

Gold Fields has clinched the deal to acquire full control of Gold Road Resources after offering terms worth A$3.7 billion, higher than the A$3.3bn offer that the Australia-listed mining group initially rejected. Gold Fields said Monday the R44bn agreement had been reached between them at A$3.40 per Gold Road share. Gold Road’s share price notched up 9.4% on the Australian Stock Exchange to A$3.25 per share on Monday, while on the JSE, Gold Fields’ share price surged 5.55% to R416.35. Gold Fields’ subsidiary, Gruyere Holdings, had entered into a binding scheme to acquire 100% of the share capital of Gold Road that it does not already own by way of an Australian scheme of arrangement, a statement from the Johannesburg-based global mining group said. “The consolidation of our ownership in…

A group of people braved the cold morning air for a demonstration highlighting the killing of innocent people in Indian administered Kashmir last month. Amid the traffic at the corner of Joyce and Inanda roads in Parlock, Newlands West, they held placards and waved flags in protest against the attack. On April 22, gunmen opened fire on tourists, killing at least 26 people at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam. Pravesh Naipal said they decided on Sunday, when they held a mass prayer, that before a strike happens, they should do something to create awareness that terrorism is not acceptable. Naipal said the entire world has spoken out against the terrorism happening in India, the Hinduphobia, and the killing of people because of their beliefs. He said the victims were asked to…

A 68-year-old Limpopo-based pastor is expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court, facing a charge of furnishing false information to the police. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the pastor allegedly went to the Westenburg police station on Friday to open a case of hijacking. That incident had apparently happened on the R37 road. He allegedly told police that he was driving to Polokwane in a Daihatsu Terios when he noticed two men who were hitchhiking. The pastor said he offered the two men a lift to Polokwane. “The suspect (pastor) alleged that while on the way, the two hijacked him at gunpoint. He further alleged that on the same day he found his vehicle on the R37 road, without a gearbox,” said Ledwaba. An investigation led police…

While targeted interventions are showing progress in some areas, South Africa continues to grapple with the scourge of rhino poaching, with 103 rhinos killed across the country in the first three months of 2025. This alarming figure was revealed by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, who described the losses as “a stark reminder of the relentless threat to our wildlife”. According to statistics released by the Department, between January and March 2025, most of the 103 rhinos poached were killed within national parks managed by SANParks. KwaZulu-Natal recorded 16 cases, followed by Limpopo with 10, Free State with 5, North West with 4, and Mpumalanga with 3. However, no poaching was reported in the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Western Cape or Gauteng. “The absence…

The Judicial Conduct Tribunal hearing into the sexual harassment complaint lodged by a judge’s clerk, Andiswa Mengo, against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge resumed yesterday. The first witness called yesterday was Francois Möller, who gave evidence related to forensic data retrieved from two cellphones belonging to Mbenenge and Mengo. Möller is a digital forensic investigator and data analyst. He said 95 deleted messages were retrieved from Mbenenge’s device, but these did not relate to this matter. From Mengo’s device, 275 deleted entries were retrieved. According to Möller, 855 chat messages which were exchanged between Mbenenge and Mengo were retrieved. Evidence leader in the tribunal, Advocate Salome Scheepers, asked Möller about screenshots of pictures and conversations sent between the devices of Mengo and Mbenenge. In relation to two WhatsApp stickers…

Proteas’ bowler Kagiso Rabada has been cleared to return to action, and will be eligible for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia next month. The 29-year-old seamer dropped a bombshell on Saturday when he revealed he had been serving a provisional suspension after testing positive for a banned substance – a non-specified recreational drug. However, IOL Sport reported yesterday morning that Rabada had since returned to India and was free to play for Gujarat Titans in the IPL. Yesterday afternoon, the South African Institute for Drug Free Sports (SAIDS) issued a statement confirming that Rabada had failed a drugs test on January 21 during the SA20. The player was informed of the results on April 1, and left his IPL franchise two days later to return to South…

Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni has called on his team to pull out all the stops in their bid to contain Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal in the Uefa Champions League semi-final second leg at San Siro on Tuesday. The prodigious 17-year-old Yamal wowed the crowd at Montjuic with a sublime goal and a bold performance, helping Barcelona twice fight back to secure a gripping 3-3 draw in the first leg. Bastoni, the 25-year-old centre back, who faced Yamal during last year’s European Championship where Spain beat Italy 1-0, expressed admiration for the teenager’s rapid progression. “I had already faced him with Spain and he was not yet at this level,” Bastoni said on Monday. “I was impressed by the level he reached, for his age and ability to create incredible things on…

The Bulls will look to maintain winning momentum in their final two matches of the United Rugby Championship (URC) round-robin phase, starting with Cardiff on Saturday in Pretoria. After their famous exploits in Ireland and Scotland a fortnight ago, the Jake White-coached outfit knows that full points from both clashes could propel them into second place on the log ahead of the Glasgow Warriors. Following two impressive overseas performances that saw them beat defending champions Glasgow and Munster, a former title-winning side, White’s troops should have the advantage in the decisive fixtures. They are on a four-match winning streak since losing to the Stormers at Loftus but have comfortably looked like South Africa’s premier side in the URC. White has underlined the importance of finishing strong, especially as the final…

AmaZulu FC are plotting a fresh chapter – both on the pitch and in the boardroom. At a packed AmaZulu Fan Experience event in Durban yesterday, the club announced a new technical partnership with local sportswear brand PRIMO. The three-year deal will kick off with the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season. It brings to an end a six-year association with Umbro SA – one that club president Sandile Zungu described as “one of the easiest partnerships the club has had the pleasure of enjoying.” The headlines weren’t just about kit deals. In a significant move for continuity, Zungu confirmed that coach Arthur Zwane will remain in charge beyond the current campaign. His initial deal was due to run out at the end of the season, but AmaZulu have decided to back…

England striker Harry Kane said it feels sweet to finally end his career-long trophy drought on Sunday, after securing the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich in his second season at the German club. The England captain broke a league record two weeks ago with his 60th goal in his first 60 league games for Bayern, and the 31-year-old looks set to become the first player in Bundesliga history to be crowned top scorer in both his first two seasons. “What a night, what a celebration with the players, with the staff. I’m sure everyone’s feeling it a little bit this morning, but we’re here,” Kane said, in a video on Monday. “I feel amazing, it’s been a long time coming. Obviously, a lot of hard work, a lot of dedication,…