Table of contents for 2026-02-10 in Star

Mining Council SA says benefits likely to begin filtering through in the second half of this year Booming gold and other high commodity prices will provide a big boost to South Africa’s tax collections, with the benefits likely to begin filtering through the fiscus in the second half of this year, while also growing the mining sector, Minerals Council South Africa President Paul Dunne said on Monday. He predicted at the Mining Indaba in Cape Town on Monday that current high metals prices were “not a flash in the pan,” - metal commodity price cycles are notoriously volatile - and this “not unsubstantial tax windfall” is likely to provide a welcome relief for the government, which has been hard pressed to find additional tax income in recent years. Mineral and…

National Treasury has no legal obligation to provide the South African Post Office (SAPO) with the R3.8 billion required to recapitalise the restructured entity, Parliament’s legal adviser has warned, as lawmakers push for an urgent meeting with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to lobby for the funds. Advocate Aadielah Arnold, Parliament’s legal adviser, told the Portfolio Committee on Digital Technologies that the R3.8bn cited by SAPO’s business rescue practitioners cannot be regarded as a binding commitment by Treasury under the national budget framework set out in the Constitution and the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). "In our view, the facts present a scenario where the commitment made can be described as a tentative, provisional, conditional or a non-committal. So, I think it's evident that the R3.8bn will not be forthcoming or…

The Fairplay Movement, the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) and law firm ENSafrica have launched a campaign and formally applied for selected chicken products to be zero-rated for VAT, as President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to deliver the State of the Nation Address and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana readies the National Budget later this month. SAPA CEO Izaak Breitenbach on Monday said the application focuses on staple chicken products commonly consumed by lower-income households. These include frozen bone-in portions and whole birds, as well as both frozen and fresh offal. “The products that have been excluded are the high-value products like chicken breasts, fresh chicken and further processed chicken,” Breitenbach said. Charles de Wet, tax executive director at ENSafrica, said previous budgets had included announcements around additional zero-rated food items,…

Aussie emerging technology lawyer Natasha Blycha taught me English at a boarding school outside Gweru, Zimbabwe, around the year 2000. She reignited a love for reading I'd let go of. Blycha recently joined me on the African Tech Roundup podcast to discuss smart legal contracts, AI sovereignty, and why the law as currently designed cannot cope with artificial intelligence. She was brimming with insight. The conversation is worth your time. But something she said early on has stayed with me since we hung up. Blycha cited her time in Zimbabwe — working part-time for a small law firm on constitutional questions during the land invasions — as the experience that shaped her international legal career. "What happens to a country if there isn't foundational law working really well?" she asked.…

RMH Holdings is set to be de-listed from the JSE after its board agreed to a R0.47 per share purchase offer from AttBid, owned by Faan van der Walt and Dirk van der Walt, the billionaire brothers who co-founded and disposed of significant stock worth R866 million in WeBuyCars this month. On Monday, RMH, which unbundled RMB in 2020 to retain its interests in property, said it had entered into an agreement for the implementation of a bid by AttBid to acquire all the issued ordinary shares in RMH that are not currently held by Atterbury Property Fund (APF). After unbundling FirstRand, RMH has shifted its corporate strategy into becoming an investment holding company with a focus on monetising its property-related investments, said the company. Consequently, RMH has over the…

What started as a routine anti-drug operation in Ekurhuleni on Sunday, January 8, escalated when shots were fired, leaving a Nigerian suspect linked to drug trafficking wounded. ActionSA’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Councillor Xolani Khumalo, was on the scene to support the operation team. This follows Khumalo’s voluntary handover to the SAPS on January 19, after reports of an intended arrest in a disputed assault case. ActionSA said Khumalo acted proactively after learning of the reports and arranged a meeting with SAPS to clarify their intentions. According to the party, the case is connected to a 2025 SAPS operation in Katlehong, where Khumalo was present during the raid on a suspected drug dealer. ActionSA claims the suspect later filed a false assault charge against Khumalo and is linked to wider criminal…

Claims that former President Jacob Zuma dined with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in London in 2010 have been widely circulated, but investigative reports and correspondence analysis suggest these claims are unsubstantiated. The allegations appear to be based on speculation rather than documented evidence. The alleged dinner is said to have taken place on March 5, 2010, at the five star Ritz Hotel in London. However it is highly unlikely that Epstein could have traveled internationally at that time. Epstein had been released from jail in Florida on July 22, 2009, and was placed on a one-year probation and house arrest, which lasted until August 2010. During this period, he was required to remain under strict supervision and travel outside the US was prohibited. This makes it improbable that…

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has handed over evidence against alleged Tembisa Hospital looting kingpin Hangwani Maumela to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the unit confirmed on Friday. SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said such referrals are standard procedure whenever the unit uncovers potential criminality during its investigations. “We have given that already to the National Prosecuting Authority, before Advocate Andy Mothibi assumed office. And like we always do, there are many other cases that we have given,” Kganyago said. The SIU’s handover follows a series of high-profile raids on Maumela, including the recent seizure of luxury vehicles at his Sandton residence, linked to alleged misappropriation of funds at Tembisa Hospital. These seizures are part of a broader investigation into the hospital’s financial irregularities, which allegedly involve the diversion of…

Suspended City of Ekurhuleni legal head, Advocate Kemi Behari, has admitted that he failed to ensure the re-suspension of EMPD acting deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi, allowing the controversial blue lights case to quietly lapse despite its seriousness. Behari testified before the Madlanga Commission yesterday that responsibility for extending suspensions or advancing disciplinary action rested with the former city manager or the head of human resources, not his office. Mkhwanazi was suspended in February 2023 after allegations that he authorised the installation of blue lights on vehicles linked to alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Mkhwanazi went as far as unlawfully signing memorandums of understanding with companies linked to Matlala. This being CAT VIP. The MoUs would have outsourced critical city functions, including blue light services, legal services, health services, mayoral…

A motorist was arrested after he sped away from traffic police and forgot his identification document with the RTI Team. In a statement released yesterday, the KZN Department of Transport described what happened and how he was caught. According to the statement, the motorist was stopped by the RTI Team after being caught driving at a staggering speed of 204km/h. The motorist sped away from the scene, leaving his identification document with the RTI team. “Thanks to the artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technology, which enabled the RTI to trace his movements to a Golf Estate on the South Coast. The high-resolution imaging and real-time data analytics revealed how he removed the registration number plates from his vehicle,” stated MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma. The analysis further revealed…

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has denied having any records of controversial businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala’s proposal for a R70 million luxury private airport terminal at OR Tambo International Airport, saying that they are just as lost as the public is. Matlala, who has been implicated in multiple corruption scandals, according to media reports, is said to have had meetings with Nedbank representatives, which took place over several weeks, with bank officials accompanying him on a site inspection of OR Tambo’s cargo terminal in 2023. The reports said the failed proposal, formalised in a concept document signed by Matlala, outlined how VIP and VVIP passengers would bypass conventional airport procedures through a fast-tracked system managed by his security firm. ACSA CEO Mpumi Mpofu, on Sunday while briefing the media on…

ANC Gauteng provincial task team co-convenor Panyaza Lesufi says the outcome of the party’s regional conference must be respected and that the leadership of the ANC in Johannesburg is legitimate and uncontested. He was speaking at the ANC’s 114th anniversary January 8 celebrations in Soweto on Sunday. Lesufi said the event was deliberately held in the region to send a strong message that any differences within the party must be addressed through proper channels and that the elected leadership must be given the recognition it deserves. “If you don’t respect an elected leadership, we will attend to you not only today, tomorrow and forever because the leadership must be respected and the leadership must be given the necessary recognition that it needs,” he said. He officially introduced the regional chairperson…

A revised Mining Resources Development Amendment Bill (MRDAB), which the industry had expressed deep reservations about initially, is expected to be released by the government in the first three months of this year. The first iteration of the bill that was released in May last year had raised concerns in the industry about policy certainty – mines take up up to ten years to develop at great cost and so require certainty in government policies on mining. The initial bill had also raised concerns about investor confidence in the sector, the potential for further bureaucratic burden, unclear implementation guidelines and ownership and governance implications. Minerals Council South Africa President Paul Dunne said yesterday at the Mining Indaba there had subsequently been lengthy engagements between the industry and government on aspects…

In Polokwane, on a sun-drenched afternoon at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, Kaizer Chiefs delivered a performance that blended grit with continental nous, edging Al Masry to sit atop CAF Confederation Cup Group D and send a message that this Amakhosi team refuses to be defined by past setbacks. In the build-up to the clash with the Egyptian side, Chiefs viewed the game as a “cup final”—a must-win to keep quarter-final dreams alive. Coach Khalil Ben Youssef knew the psychological baggage his squad carried. Coming off a disappointing exit from the Nedbank Cup just days earlier, the mental preparation was as vital as tactical tweaks. “It was a difficult game for us because we were coming from a bad result, so it was mentally tough for the players. We spent…

The Springboks have established wings who can play on the right and the left without much fuss. Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse, for instance, are comfortable in both the No 11 and No 14 jerseys and have been the preferred pair on the wings after Makazole Mapimpi fell out of favour. But Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus needs more options, especially as he is looking to keep some of his veterans fresh for next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia. Here are the four domestic contenders currently lighting up the United Rugby Championship, and a former Springbok Sevens star who is becoming a cult hero in Ireland. Stravino Jacobs (Bulls) In Pretoria, Stravino Jacobs has evolved from a raw, bruising runner into a much more refined wing. Standing at 180cm…

The resignation of Land Bank CEO, Themba Rikhotso, announced on Friday, has been met with shock and concern across South Africa’s agricultural sector, with industry leaders warning that uncertainty at the institution could have far-reaching consequences for farmers and food security. Land Bank confirmed that Rikhotso, who joined the development finance institution on 1 April 2023, will remain in its employ for the duration of his notice period, which runs until the end of April. In a statement, the bank said Rikhotso will be taking up a role at another South African banking institution. The bank said Rikotso assumed leadership during a particularly challenging period and provided steady and focused leadership during a critical phase of its stabilisation. “Under his tenure, the Bank achieved notable progress in its turnaround programme,…

The modern business is a connected one, and that goes for any business in South Africa, no matter the model or industry. During the last two decades, organisations have adopted technologies that have transformed their physical and IT operations, with many of those technologies bridging the gap between the two environments. One of those technologies is IoT, which has proven itself to be a driver of business growth, whether it’s by unlocking new revenue streams, enhancing operations, or increasing productivity. Indeed, IoT sits at the crossroads of technology trends that are set to affect the security sector and others in 2026, including business customers taking an “ecosystem-first” approach to technology purchasing decisions, the growth of edge computing, and the evolution of hybrid architectures. That said, enterprise adoption of IoT does…

The EU said Friday that TikTok needs to change its "addictive design" or risk heavy fines under the bloc's digital content rules, drawing a sharp pushback from the Chinese-owned platform. In preliminary conclusions of a probe opened two years ago, the European Commission said it found TikTok was not taking effective steps to address the app's negative impacts, especially on minors and vulnerable adults. "TikTok's addictive design is in breach of the Digital Services Act," said commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier, citing concerns with features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and a highly personalised recommender system. "These features lead to the compulsive use of the app, especially for our kids, and this poses major risks to their mental health and wellbeing," Regnier said, adding: "The measures that TikTok has…

Metair expects its loss-making AutoZone business to underpin a sharp increase in revenue in its aftermarket spare parts segment, even as the unit’s turnaround is progressing more slowly than planned and sales volumes at First Battery South Africa decline. The JSE-listed company is intensifying its strategy to diversify into the aftermarket segment as a way of entrenching operational improvements and efficient project management. However, AutoZone progress to stabilise as it emerges out of business rescue is stalling. “Bedding down AutoZone as the business emerges from business rescue is tracking approximately six-months behind plan, but Metair remains confident in the turnaround,” said Metair in a trading update Monday. Nonetheless, revenues for the aftermarket segment is expected to increase by between 40% and 44% in 2025 from nearly R4.3 billion a year…

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has flagged nearly 495 000 individuals who were previously counted as recipients of monthly social grant payouts after discovering they had received money they were not entitled to. The government entity realised that millions in taxpayers’ funds were being paid to ineligible people following an internal control process. This was revealed by the agency’s CEO, Themba Matlou, last week during a briefing to Parliament on SASSA’s third-quarter performance. The revelation came after SASSA initiated a rigorous review of its social grant programme, aligned with new stringent verification and control conditions set by the National Treasury. “This action is part of a larger strategy aimed at ensuring compliance and promoting fiscal responsibility within the agency,” Matlou said. Treasury insisted that the agency implement the…

With learner safety under scrutiny following a crash that claimed the lives of 14 children in the Vaal, Gauteng authorities convened a critical engagement with scholar transport operators at Johannesburg City Hall in an effort to clamp down on non-compliance. The meeting brought together transport operators, industry stakeholders and government representatives to reinforce the importance of operating within the law. This was the department’s second engagement with scholar transport operators since the January tragedy. An earlier session saw more than 1 000 application forms distributed alongside guidance aimed at improving compliance and safety. A follow-up meeting on January 26 attracted over 500 operators, many of whom raised concerns about delays and obstacles in securing operating licences. Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela acknowledged these concerns but maintained that…

Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis’s rise to the top of the DA now appears all but inevitable, with political analysts saying his ascent has effectively been sealed following glowing public praise from DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille. Zille’s comments at the weekend, in which she described Hill-Lewis as capable, intelligent and ethical, have reinforced perceptions that he is the party’s preferred successor ahead of the DA’s April elective conference. Political analyst Professor Bheki Mngomezulu said the DA’s leadership outcomes are ultimately shaped by Zille’s influence, describing Hill-Lewis’s anticipated victory as a foregone conclusion. “It’s a done deal. Helen Zille decides who is in and who is out,” Mngomezulu said. “If anyone doubts that, they should look at what happened to Mmusi Maimane. I said back then that he served…

The man alleged to have pulled the trigger during the assassination of Warrick ‘Dj Warras’ Stock, appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Stock was gunned down on December 16, 2025, as he exited a building near the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg’s central business district, when he was approached by suspects who opened fire before fleeing the scene. Mozambican national Armindo Pacula, 25, faces charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and contravening the Immigration Act. The matter was initially postponed for verification of an address, should the suspect be granted bail. However, the State confirmed to the court that the address at an informal settlement in Germiston was checked out, but no one was found at the address. It was also submitted that the identity document handed over to…

A life insurance claim was recently lawfully rejected after the insured died during an attempted arrest, highlighting how criminal-conduct exclusions can override cover even when premiums are fully paid. The Life Insurance Division of the National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO) which reviewed the claim said the public needed to be aware of the exclusion clauses. In this case, the policy clause excluded any claim arising from criminal conduct. This included situations where the insured was under investigation, being prosecuted, or involved in a criminal offence at the time of death. Evidence before the Ombud showed that police officers were attempting to arrest the insured when he allegedly disarmed one of them and attempted to fire the weapon. Other officers fatally shot him at the scene. No evidence was presented to…

Dr Nandipha Magudumana’s brother, Nkosinathi Sekeleni, appeared alongside two other co-accused at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday, following an alleged violent assault on a man they accused of attempting to rob them. The trio were released on a warning pending further investigation. It is reported that the incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, February 7, 2026, when the suspects allegedly confronted the victim. Due to the severity of the injuries, initial charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm were later upgraded to attempted murder as the victim continues to battle for his life in hospital. Captain Tintswalo Sibeko of the SAPS confirmed that the three suspects have all been taken into custody and were presented before the court following their arrest over the weekend.…

Last week, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, announced the appointment of H.E. Ambassador Jainaba Jagne of the Republic of The Gambia as the AU’s Special Envoy for Children Affected by Armed Conflict (CAAC). To have a dedicated envoy focusing on the pandemic of children caught in the chaos of war and conflict is an important step and long overdue. The AU has framed this appointment as a response to the growing recognition and concern that protecting children in conflict zones is both an urgent humanitarian consideration and critical to achieving lasting peace, stability, and economic development on the Continent. Protracted war and conflict in Africa have been devastating. Millions of young Africans have been robbed of their childhoods. The AU has been a poor…

In a season that began with hope and expectation, Orlando Pirates now hold their fate firmly in their own hands. Confidence on the pitch has carried them to the brink of something special, with their consistency the only real obstacle to a season to remember. The Buccaneers’ aggressive spending earlier in the campaign was a clear signal of intent. It reflected years of near-misses and the lingering frustration of repeatedly falling short in the pursuit of the Premiership title — a feeling that has finally reached breaking point. That mounting frustration was further fuelled by the sustained dominance of Mamelodi Sundowns, who have won the league for eight consecutive seasons. For a club of Pirates’ stature, long regarded as one of the giants of South African football, it served as…

Ryan Oosthuizen has lifted SVNS trophies across the globe, but the latest triumph in Australia ranks amongst his finest. For the veteran forward, the Blitzboks’ 21–19 victory over Fiji in the Perth final on Sunday was less about his Player-of-the-Final performance and more about a squad holding itself to a higher standard of accountability. The 30-year-old, celebrating his 60th World Series tournament, was the architect of the win at HBF Park, crossing the whitewash twice in a pulsating encounter. It secured South Africa’s second title of the 2026 series following their home success in December. “The Cape Town victory was the best ever for me in the 15 tournaments where I have been part of the winning squad, but this effort in Perth comes very close and ranks in the…

A revised Mining Resources Development Amendment Bill (MRDAB), which the industry had expressed deep reservations about initially, is expected to be released by the government in the first three months of this year. The first iteration of the bill that was released in May last year had raised concerns in the industry about policy certainty - mines take up up to ten years to develop at great cost and so require certainty in government policies on mining. The initial bill had also raised concerns about investor confidence in the sector, the potential for further bureaucratic burden, unclear implementation guidelines and ownership and governance implications. Minerals Council South Africa President Paul Dunne said Monday at the Mining Indaba there had subsequently been lengthy engagements between the industry and government on aspects…

Board governance is, by design, an exercise in distance. They do not sit inside the organisation’s operational systems. Instead, they govern through information. What boards see and hear are already mediated by layers of interpretation and selection. Behind that visible information lies a deeper organisational reality that often never reaches the table at all. This gap between what is presented and what is real is a core governance risk because boards remain accountable for outcomes that emerge from precisely those areas they do not observe directly. What boards see is usually formal, structured and deliberate. Board packs are designed to be comprehensive yet concise, presenting performance through agreed dashboards and framing risk in relation to appetite and assurance expectations. These artefacts matter because they enable boards to discharge oversight responsibilities…

Glencore has secured bulk copper and zinc concentrates from South African junior Orion Minerals’ Prieska mine under a $250 million prepayment agreement, underscoring the intensifying global race for critical minerals. Orion will use the prepaid funding facility to bring its copper assets in the Northern Cape into production. The global rush for copper, driven by growing demand from renewable energy and storage, has brought a flurry of deal making in the local and global mining industry. On Monday, Orion Minerals announced that its subsidiary, Prieska Copper Zinc Mine had now executed a binding prepayment agreement with Glencore for the $250m prepayment facility linked to the sale of bulk, copper and zinc concentrates from the asset. Tony Lennox, CEO for Orion Minerals, said the first tranche of the facility “will fund…

Claims that former President Jacob Zuma dined with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in London in 2010 have been widely circulated, but investigative reports and correspondence analysis suggest these claims are unsubstantiated. The allegations appear to be based on speculation rather than documented evidence. The alleged dinner is said to have taken place on March 5, 2010, at the five star Ritz Hotel in London. However it is highly unlikely that Epstein could have traveled internationally at that time. Epstein had been released from jail in Florida on July 22, 2009, and was placed on a one-year probation and house arrest, which lasted until August 2010. During this period, he was required to remain under strict supervision and travel outside the US was prohibited. This makes it improbable that…

The conversation around children, power and celebrity behaviour has never felt more uncomfortable or more unavoidable. Especially now, with the Epstein files continuing to dominate headlines and social media timelines, dragging famous names into public suspicion and leaving society asking the same question over and over again: who knew what, and who got away with what? And as people side-eye celebrity culture harder than ever, one name that always returns to the centre of these discussions is Michael Jackson. A new UK documentary titled Michael Jackson: The Trial is now adding more fuel to the fire. The four-part series focuses on Jackson’s 2005 criminal trial, where he was charged with multiple offences involving a minor, Gavin Arvizo, at Jackson’s Neverland Ranch in California. Jackson was ultimately acquitted of all charges,…

What started as a routine anti-drug operation in Ekurhuleni on Sunday, January 8, escalated when shots were fired, leaving a Nigerian suspect linked to drug trafficking wounded. ActionSA’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Councillor Xolani Khumalo, was on the scene to motivate and support the operation team. This follows Khumalo’s voluntary handover to the SAPS on January 19, after reports of an intended arrest in a disputed assault case. ActionSA said Khumalo acted proactively after learning of the reports and arranged a meeting with SAPS to clarify their intentions. According to the party, the case is connected to a 2025 SAPS operation in Katlehong, where Khumalo was present during the raid on a suspected drug dealer. ActionSA claims the suspect later filed a false assault charge against Khumalo and is linked to…

South Africa is set to withdraw its troops from the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), bringing to an end nearly three decades of continuous military involvement in the conflict-ravaged country. President Cyril Ramaphosa has formally notified the United Nations of the decision, which will see more than 700 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members gradually withdrawn from the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO). The withdrawal is expected to be completed before the end of 2026. The Presidency said the decision was influenced by the need to consolidate and realign the resources of the SANDF, which is under increasing strain due to budget constraints, ageing equipment and multiple operational demands. “South Africa will work jointly with the UN to finalise…

The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has welcomed the Western Cape Department of Education’s (WCED) decision to expel a group of learners involved in a bullying scandal. The decision to expel the group comes after a disciplinary process was conducted relating to serious misconduct. Chairperson of the committee, Joy Maimela, said it supports the decisive action on the part of the school and the WCED to uphold discipline, protect learners and staff, and ensure that schools remain safe spaces for teaching and learning. “While every learner has the right to education, this right must be exercised in a manner that respects the rights and safety of others. Serious misconduct cannot be tolerated, and appropriate disciplinary measures are necessary to maintain order and protect the school community,” Maimela said. In…

On the face of it, there seems little reason to complain about the price of fuel at the moment. Following February’s petrol price decrease of 65 cents and diesel reductions of between 50 cents and 57 cents, both fuel types are now at their lowest levels since January 2022. In fact, 95 Unleaded petrol at the coast is now R2.35 less expensive than it was a year ago, while 50ppm diesel is R2.50 cheaper. Oil prices are relatively low, and the rand is currently stronger than it has been in four years. But any shocks to the global order could see prices spiralling and this will once again expose the excessive taxation that fuel is currently subjected to. Given the geopolitical tensions that US President Donald Trump is currently embroiled…

Electricity consumers will be saddled with price hikes of 8.76% in the 2026/27 financial year, effective from April 1, and 8.83% for the 2027/28 financial year after the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has finalised its redetermination of allowable revenue for Eskom. The tariff increases had to be redetermined after there was an error in Nersa’s calculations regarding Eskom’s revenue. Eskom and Nersa then agreed to correct this and confirmed a settlement with Eskom with an amount of R54 billion mentioned. They approached the Gauteng High Court to have this settlement agreement made an order of the court but the court in December rejected the agreement and ordered that there be public consultation on the matter. In its public consultation document, Nersa mentioned an amount of R76bn…

Russia will not attack EU or NATO member states unless it is attacked first, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said. Western officials have justified increased military spending by citing the need to defend NATO’s eastern flank. Germany’s top military commander, General Carsten Breuer, said in December 2025 that the country must be ready for a potential war with Russia by 2029. Moscow has accused the West of warmongering. “We have no intention of attacking Europe. There is no reason to do so,” Lavrov told NTV in an interview aired on Sunday. “If Europe acts on its threats to prepare for war against us and initiates an attack on the Russian Federation, it will face a full-fledged military response from our side, with all available military capabilities,” he said. At…

The City of Johannesburg is currently in crisis – a fact that is denied by the leadership. Lack of water supply, intermittent electricity supply, piles of refuse which remain uncollected for days, challenges regarding the changing of the payment platforms, and potholes which damage people’s cars, making driving around the city a nightmare, are some of the concerns citizens of Johannesburg wrestle with. The current mayor, Dada Morero, blamed the previous DA-led administration for the city’s declining revenue collection, rising debt levels and unauthorised expenditure, which he said had strained Johannesburg’s finances. He went on to say that during his three-year term, he made notable progress in cleaning up the city. What was glaring was that at no point did Morero give credit to the G20 Summit, which played a…

TONIGHT, all eyes will be on two crucial Nedbank Cup matches that mark the conclusion of the Round of 32. At the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, there will be an all-Betway Premiership clash between hosts Polokwane City and high-riding AmaZulu, who are currently being spoken of as potential title contenders. Meanwhile, at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto, third-tier side Soweto Super United (SSU) will host Milford FC, a second-tier outfit based in KwaZulu-Natal. SSU coach Thabang ‘Tsetse’ Chauke was surprised to learn that their opponents had made the effort to scout them in local domestic action ahead of the tie. Both matches will kick off at 7pm with the winners advancing to the Round of 16 to join 14 other clubs that have already secured their progression. The 14 clubs already…

ICC T20 World Cup, Group C South Africa: 213/4 (Markram 59, Miller 39*, Stubbs 34*, Patel 3/31) Canada: 136/8 (Dhaliwal 64, Ngidi 4/31, Jansen 2/30) w South Africa won by 57 runs “He really loves this stadium,” said former New Zealand fast bowler Danny Morrison on commentary after David Miller launched a third six into the mass of empty orange seats of the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Miller, of course, developed an adoring relationship with this mega mass of concrete that seats a world record 135 000 spectators during his three successful seasons here with IPL outfit Gujarat Titans. Only a few thousand locals had come out yesterday evening to watch Miller, and the Proteas take on Canada in their T20 World Cup opener, but that would not have…

Esteban Ocon’s recent feat of hitting 355 km/h during pre-season testing in Barcelona was more than just a headline-grabbing moment; it was the clearest real-world indicator yet of what Formula One’s 2026 regulation reset has unleashed. On a circuit where top speed has traditionally been capped by drag rather than power, seeing numbers north of 350 km/h immediately reframed expectations for the new era. For context, at the same Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya last season, peak speeds hovered around 325–330 km/h. Ocon’s Haas VF-26 reached its staggering mark without even the aid of a slipstream. That gap of more than 20 km/h is enormous in F1 terms, and it did not come from a sudden leap in horsepower alone. Instead, it is the result of a fundamental rethink of how F1…

Proteas Women’s captain Laura Wolvaardt is looking forward to seeing how youngster Kayla Reyneke fares during the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan. Reyneke is a former SA U19 Women’s captain and has long been touted to take the step up to the national team. The Western Province allrounder has now received her maiden call-up to the Proteas Women’s team and Wolvaardt expects big things from the 20-year-old, starting in the series opener in Potchefstroom today. “I think we have some very exciting youngsters coming through. Kayla's a very hard worker and a very exciting talent,” Wolvaardt said. “I think obviously she's had a bit of experience at under-19 level, playing really well over there, leading her side as well. I think confidence is always a good thing. Yeah, and she…