Table of contents for 2025-10-23 in Star

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has welcomed Zimbabwe’s decision to lift its ban on maize and grain imports, describing the move as a major step toward strengthening regional food security and economic cooperation. The decision was gazetted under Statutory Instrument (SI) 87 of 2025, effectively reopening one of South Africa’s key regional export markets for both white and yellow maize. “This is an extremely welcome development that underscores the collective responsibility we share in ensuring food sufficiency,” Steenhuisen said in a statement on Wednesday. “The agricultural sector thrives on predictability and efficiency, and restrictive trade measures—while sometimes intended to protect local producers—too often lead to market distortions that ultimately harm the consumer.” Steenhuisen said the removal of Zimbabwe’s maize import ban was crucial for food security and consumer welfare across the…

Parliament calls for full disclosure on procurement process, suppliers and empowerment Parliament has called for greater scrutiny and transparency over Eskom’s R5.7 billion smart meter rollout, demanding full disclosure on procurement processes, suppliers, and empowerment plans linked to the large-scale project aimed at curbing electricity theft and losses. Eskom executives on Wednesday told lawmakers that the board had approved R5.7 billion for the first year of the rollout, which forms part of a broader plan to install 6.2 million smart meters in South African households by 2027. The initial 600 000 meters are expected to be rolled out by March 2026. Speaking before Parliament’s portfolio committee on electricity and energy on Wednesday, Eskom senior executive Collin Reddy said the rollout forms part of the utility’s digital transformation programme to modernise…

South Africa’s entertainment and media (E&M) industry is entering a period of steady, digitally driven growth, with PwC’s Africa Entertainment and Media Outlook 2025–2029 projecting that the country will remain the continent’s largest and most mature E&M market. Despite a modest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5% through 2029, the sector’s scale, infrastructure, and technological sophistication continue to set it apart from its African peers. “Africa’s E&M future promises a dynamic convergence of technology, creativity and market growth,” PwC said. “South Africa’s continued investment in connectivity, digital skills and local content will determine how successfully it leads the continent’s media transformation.” The report shows that internet advertising, OTT streaming, and mobile gaming are the country’s fastest-growing segments, reflecting South Africa’s expanding connectivity and the steady adoption of 5G. By…

In the ever-evolving landscape of South Africa's small and mid-sized enterprises (SMMEs), outdated employment contracts are transforming from an overlooked concern to a significant legal risk. With compliance norms shifting dramatically, particularly in the sphere of labour law, SMMEs are finding themselves on precarious legal ground. This predicament was underscored by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA)'s 2019 report, which revealed that a staggering 80% of its cases originated from small businesses. Now, with impending changes to labour law coming into effect, the risk is poised to surge further. The new Code of Practice on Dismissal, to be implemented in September 2025, heralds a new era of regulations that will replace previous guidelines. Employment contracts that fail to reflect these changes may be rendered unenforceable. “As of September…

China's total domination of rare earths production could soon be challenged, a leading miner said Wednesday after the United States struck a breakthrough minerals deal with Australia. US President Donald Trump signed a deal this week with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese giving the United States access to Australia's vast reserves of rare earths and critical minerals essential for everything from solar panels to precision missiles. And the head of Australian rare earths miner Arafura Resources said developing projects outside of China could only be a good thing. "China has basically controlled the rare earths market by controlling the price," Arafura boss Darryl Cuzzubbo told AFP. "The problem right now is China is showing that they'll use their 90 percent control of rare earths production as a geopolitical tool." China controls…

Restaurant group Famous Brands says it is beginning to benefit from improving South African economic conditions, including interest rate cuts, easing inflation, and a rise in foot traffic as more employees return to offices — despite ongoing pressure on consumers from high unemployment and rising household debt. Darren Hele, CEO of Famous Brands, said on Wednesday that South African “consumer spending is constrained due to high unemployment, household indebtedness, and elevated inflation” in recent years. Moreover, the online betting and gambling industry was also increasingly competing for a share of consumers’ discretionary spend. Nonetheless, Famous Brands is seeing strong tailwinds that include “easing inflation, interest rate cuts and increased return-to-office traffic” which is “boosting restaurant” activity although basket sizes remain under pressure. This was mainly because of depressed consumers continuing…

SLAIN engineer Armand Swarts was killed days after the company he worked for raised questions about a Transnet tender issued to SK Group, a company found to be inflating prices. This emerged when Witness B, a detective with the Organised Crime unit of the SAPS in Gauteng, testified at the Madlanga Commission yesterday. She is one of the detectives investigating Swart’s murder. He was shot dead on April 7, 2024, in the mistaken belief that he was a whistleblower providing police with crucial information. The hitmen allegedly mistook him for a colleague who had exposed corruption in a tender linked to Transnet. The company Swart worked for had uncovered overpricing of 4 650% on small engineering parts at Transnet. In her testimony, Witness B placed controversial businessman and murder-accused…

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has vowed to crack down on drug dens and Lolly lounges in Westbury and other drug-infested neighbourhoods in the province. “Lolly lounges must be closed down because most of the children who should be in school are spending their time smoking whatever they are smoking there when they should be in school,” Masemola told members of the media yesterday. This comes as Masemola visited the Sophiatown police station yesterday following the deaths of two teenagers, who died after being shot by their alleged gang rivals. According to a police report, seven teenagers aged 14 to 19 were ambushed by four others who opened fire on them while they were sitting on the veranda of a house in the area around lunchtime on Tuesday. Two…

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced sweeping changes to the province’s Crime Prevention Wardens programme, also known as Amapanyaza. Yesterday, Lesufi addressed the media on the next phase of the programme amid criticism by KZN Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi at the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee two weeks ago. Following his remarks that, despite good intentions by Lesufi, the wardens were an “illegal” entity, Lesufi defending the existence of the unit, which was established three years ago. However, Lesufi stated that their existence had the backing of former Minister of Justice and Constitutional and Constitutional Development, Ronald Lamola, who gave the unit his blessings through legislative provisions in December 2023. Yesterday, Lesufi indicated that in the new dispensation, the wardens will cease to exist in the current format,…

Former Zanu PF bigwig and cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere has rubbished the former liberation movement’s bold plans to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office to 2030, warning that the move will end badly for both the president and Zimbabwe. Speaking to IOL, Kasukuwere said: “He (Mnangagwa) is dreaming and he has set himself up for a gigantic failure. Greediness knows no boundaries, and this will lead to a huge disaster for the country.” Earlier this week, IOL reported that Zanu PF has emboldened its move to push through a proposal allowing Mnangagwa to remain in power beyond his current constitutional term, which ends in 2028. The party recently adopted a resolution at its annual conference backing the extension to align with the government’s so-called “Vision 2030” development agenda. Kasukuwere,…

The Louvre museum in Paris reopened its doors to visitors yesterday, three days after it had been shuttered over the theft of precious royal jewellery, an AFP journalist said. From 9:00 am (0700 GMT), the museum’s usual opening time, the first visitors began entering the world-famous institution, though the museum said the Apollo Gallery, where Sunday’s theft occurred, remains closed. The audacious daylight robbery on Sunday shortly after the museum opened caused estimated losses of around 88 million euros ($102 million), a sum the Paris prosecutor called “unparalleled” but incomparable to the loss to France’s historical heritage. Scores of investigators are looking for the culprits, working on the theory that it was an organised crime group that clambered up a ladder on a truck to break into the museum, then…

China’s national security agency revealed on Sunday that the United States National Security Agency has long plotted cyberattacks against the National Time Service Center, which is responsible for generating and maintaining standard Beijing Time. Such attacks could jeopardise the secure and stable operation of Beijing Time, potentially causing network communication failures, financial system disruptions, power outages, transportation paralysis and even space launch failures, according to the latest investigations. Located in Xi’an, Shaanxi province, the centre provides high-precision time services crucial for national communications, finance, electricity, transportation, mapping and defence sectors. Besides causing severe disruptions in China, such cyberattacks could lead to international time chaos with incalculable consequences, the agency said in a post on its official WeChat account. Wei Dong, deputy director of the general office at the centre, said…

And just like that it’s about to end. When we started our journey in the Toyota GR Cup Media Challenge at Killarney in Cape Town in March, colleagues who had previously participated said it would be over before we knew it and that the most important thing is to enjoy it. They weren’t wrong. Progress From bordering on nervous nausea when we first pushed our Toyota GR Yaris’ start button in a 25-car field, to bumper to bumper racing as the season progressed we’ve come a long way, improving our racecraft in leaps and bounds while pushing our cars and ourselves to the limit. This weekend sees the sixth and final round of the GR Cup at Zwartkops Raceway as the National Extreme Festival winds down and we take everything…

Proteas Women’s all-rounder Marizanne Kapp insists South Africa need to continue improving their basics ahead of their final round-robin fixture against Australia in Indore on Saturday. Following South Africa’s 150-run victory over Pakistan in Colombo on Tuesday, the Proteas Women registered their fifth consecutive win in the ongoing ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup – a feat the team has achieved for the first time in World Cups. Kapp delivered a stellar all-round performance against Pakistan, scoring an unbeaten 68 and taking three wickets, earning the Player of the Match award. In previous games, various players have stepped up for the team, helping South Africa book a semi-final spot with two matches to spare. Despite what looks like a flawless round-robin campaign for the Proteas women thus far, Kapp believes the…

Nottingham Forest will be hoping it is third time lucky as new manager Sean Dyche takes over the reins of the two-time European champions for the visit of Porto in the Uefa Europa League tonight. Dyche, already Forest’s third boss of a turbulent season, has arrived at the City Ground to take charge of a side seeking their first win in the competition after garnering just one point from their two previous outings. Appointed on Tuesday to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou, who won the Europa League last term with Tottenham but lasted only 40 days at Forest, Dyche will know that only victory will suffice to keep tempestuous owner Evangelos Marinakis happy. For the 54-year-old, his Forest debut marks a personal milestone as it will be his first time…

One plus one makes 11. The proverb, of course, refers to when two individuals or entities work together, they create something greater than the sum of their parts. It further suggests that two people together are more powerful than when they are apart. Unfortunately for Liverpool Football Club, this cannot be more true with their No 11 Mohamed Salah struggling without his other one, Trent Alexander-Arnold, who ran out his contract before leaving for Spanish giants Real Madrid in the summer. Salah has endured a quiet start to the 2025/26 season with just two goals and two assists in eight Premier League appearances. It's his lowest attacking metrics since joining the club in 2017. Crucially, the swagger and confidence that has made the Egyptian king into a cult hero at…

South Africa’s annual consumer inflation ticked up slightly to 3.4% in September from 3.3% in August, according to Statistics South Africa on Wednesday. The monthly change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 0.2%, with increases largely driven by higher prices in transport and restaurants and accommodation. While several categories saw faster price growth, inflation eased in food and non-alcoholic beverages (NAB), alcoholic beverages and tobacco, and household furnishings and maintenance. Stats SA chief director of price statistics, Patrick Kelly, said meat inflation surged to 11.7%, the highest annual rate since January 2018, when it reached 13.4%. "While month-on-month increases for beef products have slowed, prices do remain high. Stewing beef, for example, rose 32.2% year-on-year, but showed no change month-on-month," Kelly said. "Other meat categories are also feeling the…

Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, on Wednesday announced the introduction of doorstep passport delivery for South African citizens living abroad — a first in the department’s history. The new service, which forms part of the department’s “Home Affairs @ home” digital transformation vision, will go live globally on 1 November 2025. It allows South Africans overseas to have their passports delivered directly to their homes, eliminating the need to return to embassies or consulates to collect documents. Schreiber unveiled the initiative while addressing the South African community in The Hague, Netherlands, where the Department of Home Affairs also launched a new dedicated service centre that has dramatically reduced passport turnaround times from 18 months to just five weeks. "This bold reform not only promotes inclusivity by resolving long-standing…

At the United Nations, President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted that trade is increasingly being used as a geopolitical weapon. That message matters at home: because when trade becomes a tool of pressure, South African workers and exporters feel it first — as shown recently by Taiwan’s brief chip export restrictions. Our best response to this situation is what has always distinguished South African diplomacy: principled non-alignment combined with a practical focus on job creation and preservation. Non-alignment will build economic resilience as engaging with all partners, enables South Africa to preserve access to diverse markets, finance, technology, and skills. This is of utmost importance In a year when tariffs, export controls, and regulatory levers are being deployed with unprecedented speed, hence, trade diversification is not a slogan; it is an economic…

There used to be a common misconception that doing good and doing well were mutually exclusive in business. However, as an impact investor, Business Partners Limited has long embraced the dual mandate of driving financial performance while creating meaningful social impact. Now a report by Deloitte puts that to rest once and for all, proving that companies who are leading with purpose consistently outperform their peers across key financial and operational indicators. Deloitte’s research found that purpose-driven firms achieve what it calls a “purpose premium” – a measurable advantage across six drivers of long-term value: brand and reputation, sales and innovation, capital access, operational efficiency, talent, and risk mitigation. High-purpose brands, for instance, recorded nearly a 20-percentage point premium in annualised shareholder returns compared to those with low purpose scores,…

Growthpoint Properties, South Africa’s leading Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), said on Wednesday that it has acquired a 30% stake in the operational Boston Hydroelectric plant. The plant is a new R390 million development with an operational lifetime of over 40 years by leading independent power producer Serengeti Energy within the Lesotho Highlands Water Scheme near Clarens. South Africa’s newest hydroelectric plant was certified for commercial operations by Eskom on Friday and has already started adding renewable energy to the national grid. Estienne de Klerk, SA CEO of Growthpoint Properties, said, “We are incredibly proud of this innovative initiative, made possible by a visionary team, dedicated partners such as Etana Energy, Serengeti Energy, Fuel Switch and many passionate and talented people over a number of years. It not only benefits…

Though she plays its vampy femme fatale, Jennifer Lopez is constantly receding from Kiss of the Spider Woman. The latest incarnation of Manuel Puig’s 1976 novel places its two prison cellmates – Molina, an eccentric romantic, and Valentín, a pragmatic revolutionary – squarely at the erotic and emotional centre. J-Lo is essentially an elaborate distraction, which is just fine as the story goes, but not exactly a kinetic position for a star. The film written for the screen and directed by Bill Condon is a hybrid adaptation of Puig’s book and the 1992 musical it inspired, revered by Broadway fans for a dazzling and otherworldly performance by Chita Rivera. The macabre warble of her voice and the wild jangling of her limbs are at least as memorable as any part…

The City of Johannesburg is intensifying its efforts to reclaim the inner city through a series of high-impact service delivery operations, despite growing criticism from informal traders whose permits have recently been revoked. The campaign, which forms part of the broader #JoburgReimagined initiative, has received vocal support from key partners, including the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), which declared “Vat Daai Karre” (take those cars) in a strong show of solidarity. “We are reclaiming Johannesburg, and we will not back down,” read a statement from the City’s official communication platforms. “The message comes as part of a renewed push to restore order, cleanliness, and economic vitality in the city centre, which has long struggled with congestion, lawlessness, and deteriorating infrastructure. As part of this mission, Johannesburg City Parks and…

A Cuban man deported by the United States to the tiny southern African kingdom of Eswatini has started a hunger strike, his lawyer said yesterday. Roberto Mosquera del Peral was among five men sent to the kingdom in July under a deal with the US seen by AFP in which Eswatini agreed to accept up to 160 deportees in exchange for $5.1 million to “build its border and migration management capacity”. One of the men, 62-year-old Jamaican Orville Etoria, was repatriated to Jamaica in September but ten more deportees arrived on October 6, according to the Eswatini government which says it intends to return them all to their home countries. They are all jailed in a maximum-security prison without any charge, with no access to legal counsel, according to an…

The ANC met with COSATU’s leadership on Monday, October 20, for a bilateral engagement aimed at strengthening the Alliance and accelerating socio-economic transformation ahead of the 2026 local government elections. The meeting took place at COSATU House in Braamfontein and marked the first formal bilateral between the two allies in some time. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri described the meeting as “both significant and timely”. “It reaffirmed the deep bond of comradeship and shared responsibility that the ANC and COSATU hold as partners in the National Democratic Revolution,” she said. She said both organisations engaged honestly on the state of the movement and the working class. “Both organisations reflected with honesty and revolutionary maturity on the challenges confronting the movement and the working class, agreeing that this renewed engagement marks an…

The Powerball jackpot of R160 million from Tuesday night’s draw has been won by one person. After 21 consecutive rollovers, the largest jackpot of 2025 was won. According to the Ithuba draw sheet, one person will walk away with the staggering jackpot. Three people won in the second division and had five correct numbers. Each person will take home R271 572.10. A total of 55 people had four correct numbers and the Powerball number and won R9 276.00 each. The next draw is estimated at R5m. One person also won the R31m jackpot in the Powerball Plus draw from Tuesday night. Tickets are valid for 365 days from the date of the draw. All winnings are tax-free and paid out within 72 hours of a claim. | IOL…

Frank Ilett, a lifelong Manchester United supporter, made a promise to himself and to fellow fans: that he would not cut his hair until his team won five consecutive matches. What started as a lighthearted challenge has since turned into a viral social media phenomenon with a charitable mission behind it. Ilett began his challenge in October last year, deciding to stop cutting his hair while waiting for the team to go on a winning streak. He told BBC that he started growing his afro-style hair as a way to “spread some humour” among supporters during a difficult start to the season. What began as a fun idea soon became something much bigger than he had imagined. “It’s been an absolutely crazy journey,” Ilett said. “I never expected my hair…

The all-new Land Cruiser FJ has been revealed, and it’s set to make Toyota’s iconic 4x4 nameplate more accessible to a wider audience. Making its global debut at next week’s Japan Mobility Show, the FJ prototype closely previews the long-anticipated “baby Land Cruiser” that will be launched on the Japanese market from mid-2026. Our contact at Toyota SA says the new model is “definitely under study for local introduction, given our market’s affinity for the Land Cruiser brand.” However, timing and other details have yet to be confirmed. While some may have expected the new “baby” Cruiser to rival Suzuki’s Jimny, the FJ is somewhat larger than that, with an overall length of 4,575mm, making it just 35mm shorter than the Rav4. Its wheelbase is 270mm shorter than the Land…

It’s been a season of growth and quiet authority for Bulls lock Reinhardt Ludwig, one that now sees the 23-year-old emerge as a genuine leader within the squad. Ludwig’s composed performance as stand-in captain in last week’s hard-fought win over Connacht caught the attention of coach Johan Ackermann, who believes the young forward is beginning to mature into one of the Bulls’ most influential figures on and off the field. The Bulls’ United Rugby Championship tour has tested the depth and resolve of Ackermann’s men. Ludwig was handed the captaincy for the match in Galway in the absence of senior stars such as Ruan Nortjé and Marcell Coetzee, a move that paid off handsomely as the Bulls ground out a crucial away victory. Ludwig’s progression has been one of…

It’s been a rather eventful 12 months for Springbok loose forward Ben-Jason Dixon – most of it off the field. After making his Bok debut in 2024, Dixon and the Stormers were involved in a bit of a stand-off over his contract towards the end of the previous United Rugby Championship season. The two parties were in disagreement over the interpretation of a release clause in his current deal, which runs until 2027. This was also during the time when Dixon was nursing a wrist injury, which eventually kept him out of the Springboks’ June and July Tests against the Barbarians, Italy and Georgia. After that, he also failed to make South Africa’s Rugby Championship squad due to an obvious lack of game time following the injury. Since then, the…

Bafana Bafana are just weeks and months away from competing at the Afcon and the Fifa World Cup respectively, but such is the disarray at Safa that their preparations for both events could be in serious jeopardy. Bafana brought euphoria across the country in the past few weeks by automatically qualifying for the global showpiece – which will be hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada next June – for the first time since the 2002 edition. But that joy seems to have been short-lived in Safa's plush offices in the south of Johannesburg. The fact that Bafana coach Hugo Broos, his assistant Helman Mkhalele, and controversial team manager Vincent Tseka cut a cake yesterday to celebrate their triumph is neither here nor there, honestly. This week, it was reported…

TS Galaxy coach Adnan Beganovic says he will be wary of a dangerous Golden Arrows side, even though his team holds an impressive record against the KwaZulu-Natal outfit. The Rockets travel to the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday (3pm kickoff) with both teams eyeing a place in the semi-finals of the Carling Knockout competition. Galaxy will be aiming to go one step further this time around after their 1–0 defeat to eventual champions Magesi FC at the same stage of the tournament last season denied them another shot at silverware. The Mbombela-based side will also be hoping to build on any positives they can find after being hit with another Fifa-imposed transfer ban – a situation that could make the coming seasons more challenging. Beganovic, who has guided Galaxy to…

The Integrated Energy Resource Plan 2025 which envisages some R2.2 trillion of new investment into the energy sector, will see wind power increase from 8% of installed generation capacity to 24%, or 34 000MW by 2039, while coal will remain the chief source of power at 27% of South Africa's capacity. This indication that the government wishes for substantially higher investment in the wind energy sector in the next few years was contained in the address by Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, who spoke at the opening of the Windaba conference in Cape Town on Wednesday. Currently, 58% of South Africa's installed capacity is generated by coal, and coal accounts for 93% of electricity production. Solar makes up 10% of current installed capacity. Ramokgopa said it was a…

KwaZulu-Natal is preparing for a vibrant and economically significant festive season, with eThekwini Municipality expecting more than 1.3 million visitors to flock to Durban over the summer holidays. Thembo Ntuli, chairperson of the City’s economic development and planning committee, this week said the city’s “Summer Season” campaign invites the world to experience Durban’s unique mix of culture, beaches, and hospitality. “We are expecting about 1.3 million visitors to the City this festive season, a powerful boost for the local economy. Their spending is projected to inject over R341 million in direct impact and a total of R845m to the City’s GDP," Ntuli said. "This influx will help create more than 15 000 jobs and generate over R630m in taxes, clear proof of how tourism drives growth and opportunity for residents.”…

South African agriculture stands at a crossroads. The recently concluded Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA) once again illuminated a painful truth: the agricultural sector remains deeply divided, still shaped by the enduring legacy of colonial and apartheid structures. At the heart of the debate was the uncomfortable but unavoidable issue of duality — the coexistence of two agricultures operating side by side but worlds apart. On one side lies a sophisticated, export-oriented, capital-intensive commercial agriculture that rivals the best in the world. On the other side, a vast and fragmented smallholder and subsistence sector, where millions of black farmers continue to face structural barriers to land, finance, markets, and technology. During his keynote address, Mooketsa Ramasodi, the Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, Land…

The stories of startups in Silicon Valley often start in garages with founders backed by easy access to capital and forgiving safety nets. In Africa, the reality is very different. Entrepreneurs on the continent aren’t innovating from the top of Maslow’s hierarchy, but at the base, solving urgent, everyday challenges where failure can mean families go hungry. That makes African founders some of the most resilient in the world, but the capital environment rarely matches their ingenuity. Over the past year, African startups have maintained growth and adaptability despite a global downturn in venture capital and economic challenges. According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), African tech startups are still growing and adapting even with a 52% drop in capital between 2022 and 2024. Importantly, there were only 22…

Altron HealthTech on Wednesday announced the pilot launch of South Africa's first oncology companion app, ThriveLink, a boon for the advancement of useable, personalised, consumer-oriented health-tech on the African continent. ThriveLink is South Africa's first platform to connect patients, doctors, caregivers, and medical schemes in one integrated digital space. The oncology companion app is designed to help cancer patients flourish during a trying time by providing seamless care coordination, access to key information and educational content and removal of administrative obstacles. Altron HealthTech said the development team was inspired to create ThriveLink after frontline agents logged an alarming increase in cancer diagnoses. Cancer cases in South Africa are projected to nearly double from 62 000 in 2019 to 121 000 nationally by 2030 based on data compiled by…

Member of Parliament (MP) Dereleen James has voiced her frustrations with how her questioning of suspended Minister Senzo Mchunu went yesterday, feeling like he was unable to answer a simple question that she posed. James, from ActionSA, was the second MP of the day to question Mchunu as he appeared at Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating the allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal provincial head Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for a fourth day. She grilled him on a host of matters ranging from an operational budget of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), its duties, the environment within the SAPS, and his alleged connections with Brown Mogotsi and Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Her questioning was deemed as being so intensive that the committee Chairperson, Molapi Soviet Lekganyane, said: “I want to request you,…

A clash between two law-enforcement agencies has erupted in Gauteng after the arrest of several Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) Tactical Response Unit (TRU) officers by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Bekkersdal last week, triggering heated exchanges between the City of Johannesburg and provincial police leadership. The city’s MMC for Public Safety, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, has condemned what he called the “unlawful arrest and detention” of JMPD officers, while the SAPS maintains its members acted lawfully in response to a legitimate community alert. On Tuesday, Tshwaku welcomed the granting of bail to the detained officers and accused SAPS members of “abusing their power” during the operation. He said the JMPD TRU and Recovery Unit were acting on “credible intelligence” about a stolen Toyota Hilux linked to an alleged…

A 52-year-old resident of Howick near Pietermaritzburg, is facing serious charges after being arrested by members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit for the cultivation of cannabis. The investigation was initiated based on a tip-off regarding Mashinga Khanyile’s illicit activities at his residence in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal. Acting on the intelligence gathered, the Hawks undertook a disruptive operation that led them to the suspect’s home. Upon arrival, Khanyile’s property was searched, revealing a shocking 382 cannabis plants. Provincial Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo, said the street value of this substantial haul is estimated to be around R1.2 million, underscoring the serious implications of such agricultural endeavours. Mhlongo said that following Khanyile’s arrest, he was charged with cannabis cultivation, a crime that highlights the growing concerns regarding illegal drug…

On October 19, 1977, the apartheid government launched a brutal attack on opposition groups, individual activists, and the media. Its particular target was the alternative media – the free press – read primarily by black South Africans. The World newspaper and its sister publication the Weekend World, two anti-apartheid titles, were banned, and editor Percy Qoboza, and his deputy Aggrey Klaatse, were arrested. This followed the death in police custody of Black Consciousness leader Steve Biko just a month prior on September 12, and it galvanised activism in South Africa. Black Wednesday was the lowest point in history for the media in South Africa. Direct government censorship, a direct assault on the truth. Controlling the narrative is a key part in maintaining the upper hand in any war, and when…

As Grade 12 learners across the country started their crucial National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations on Tuesday, pressure mounted on learners (and parents) as they worried about revision, performance, and the future. Here is a guide to help learners achieve balance and academic success, and how parents can provide essential emotional and practical backing. Study tips for learners We all know Matric exams are stressful, and it’s easy for the next person to say, “Good luck and don’t stress”. But while these exams are important, it’s also crucial to avoid burnout. Sleep well, eat well Treat studying like strenuous exercise, but ensure you are physically prepared by sleeping at least eight hours every night, eating properly, and drinking plenty of water. Before beginning a study session, have all necessary materials…

A St Helena Bay woman caught in the aftermath of a failed workplace romance has secured a significant legal victory against her former employer. Lauren Ebony Masimla, who was dismissed from Pioneer Fishing after her relationship with the chief operating officer deteriorated, will not be forced from her company-provided home while her unfair dismissal case is pending before the Labour Court. Masimla, who was a human resources manager at Pioneer Fishing (PTY) LTD, was dismissed from her position in June 2023, having faced charges of misconduct and dereliction of duty, but she has since taken the matter to the Labour Court for a review of the sanction. In the Labour Court, she does not seek reinstatement as a remedy but a declaration of unfair dismissal and harassment and an award…

We first had the chance to drive the new Leapmotor C10 REEV (range extended electric vehicle) earlier this year in Spain as part of the preamble to launching the car in South Africa. It’s now arrived as part of the offering of Stellantis and offers South Africans a chance to step into a New Energy Vehicle, which is a hybrid electric, but not in the way you may think. As a reminder, in South Africa, Stellantis has Citroen, Fiat, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Opel, Peugeot, Abarth and now Leapmotor under its umbrella. Leapmotor is a Chinese manufacturer that Stellantis has a 20% stake in and owns 51% of Leapmotor International, a joint venture with Leapmotor. How does it work? It has a 1.5-litre 50kW four-cylinder petrol engine that acts as a…

With the South African motor manufacturing industry under increasing pressure as a result of the influx of cars from China and India, tariff wars, the change to New Energy Vehicles and steel challenges, to name a few, it’s heartening to see that the Volkswagen plant in Kariega has announced that the 500 000th unit of the Polo has rolled off the assembly line. The half-millionth facelift Polo, a Kings Red Polo, is bound for the brand’s home country of Germany. Sole exporter Plant Kariega has been building Polos since 1996, and the current facelift version since August 2021. Since July 2024, the plant has also been the sole exporter of the Polo for the Europe and Asia-Pacific markets, exporting it to more than 30 countries in addition to its strong…

Paris Saint-Germain scored seven and both Barcelona and PSV Eindhoven hit six in big victories while Arsenal crushed Atletico Madrid 4-0 on a prolific night of Champions League action on Tuesday. Erling Haaland was among the scorers in Manchester City's 2-0 win at Villarreal as a total of 43 goals rained down across nine games. However, it was champions PSG who stole the show with their 7-2 win at Bayer Leverkusen in Germany. Desire Doue scored twice in between goals by Willian Pacho and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for PSG in a first half which saw Alejandro Grimaldo miss a penalty and Aleix Garcia net from the spot for Leverkusen. Both sides had a man sent off in the opening period, with Robert Andrich seeing red for Leverkusen and Illia Zabarnyi walking…

Having buried the ghosts of Ulster, the Sharks are aiming to finish their United Rugby Championship opening month on a high when they face bottom-placed Scarlets at Kings Park in their last outing before the November Test window. Still searching for a victory after a fruitless start to the new season, the Durban side has decided not to dwell too much on this past weekend’s missed opportunities, but to rectify them on Saturday when the struggling Welsh outfit hit the shores of KwaZulu-Natal. They had a tough week of preparation after the Ulster fallout, and according to Springbok centre André Esterhuizen, they have a couple of things to rectify before the big break. “The key message was to get everyone on the same page so that we can play to…

Defending a world championship title belt is often harder than having earned it. This is something the Proteas were acutely aware of when they saw their World Test Championship schedule for the next two years with three tours to the subcontinent included, starting with this on-going series in Pakistan. There were going to be moments where their skill and character would be put to the ultimate test, and how they stood up from the canvas would be a defining factor. It would require their most senior players to lead the way when the furnace heated up. Enter Kagiso Rabada. But not with the ball as is customary, but rather through his flaying willow which helped the Proteas turn this second Test on its head with the visitors now holding the…