Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-12-31 i Mercury

The piercing pop-pop of pickleball paddles starts before sunrise and ends after midnight at dozens of newly built courts across Hanoi, as residents relish one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing sports – or rage at the noise it makes. The initial craze saw more people in Vietnam pick up a paddle per capita than anywhere else in Asia, according to one survey. Now, unwitting, spectators are yelling fault, filing noise complaints and petitions to curb playing hours that have left authorities in a pickle. In the country’s densely packed cities, courts are wedged between tight alleyways and nestled beneath high-rises, disturbing thousands of people at once. “It drives me nuts,” said Hoa Nguyen, 44, who lives with her family behind a multicourt complex in Hanoi’s north-eastern outskirts. “People are playing in the…

Tightening controls around who could be a municipal councillor would be key in turning around the local government sector and ensure that municipalities deliver on their mandate. That is the view expressed by councillors who said part of the problem in the failure of municipalities is that some of their colleagues cannot process complex documents. The councillors spoke out after the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, stated that the current Government of National Unity (GNU) has indicated that councillors who will be elected in the next cycle of local government must be able to read and process complex documents. “All the political parties in the GNU that come 2026 must ensure that deployment is based on merit and nothing else. The deployment of political leadership must…

Violent thunderstorms, torrential rains, damaging winds, and hail wreaked havoc across parts of the uThukela District Municipality on Friday and Saturday nights. The severe weather left many residents without necessities like shelter and electricity, as numerous families were displaced and left homeless. Inkosi Langalibalele and Alfred Duma local municipalities bore the brunt of the destructive weather. In the wake of storms bringing heavy rain, large hail, and gale-force winds to the region, rapid-response disaster management teams from the uThukela and Inkosi Langalibalele municipalities were deployed to the affected areas. The teams were led by uThukela District Speaker Councillor Thembelihle Nqubuka and Inkosi Langalibalele Deputy Mayor Councillor Sithabiso Dladla. Councillors Sandile Buthelezi, Xaba, and Lucky Mlele accompanied them. uThukela District Municipality communications manager Jabulani Mkhonza said disaster management teams were promptly…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has given a clearest indication that he has no intention of holding a referendum to test public opinion for secession of any part of South Africa. “The founding provisions of our Constitution state that the Republic of South Africa is one, sovereign, democratic state,” Ramaphosa said. He made the statement while responding to parliamentary questions from EFF MP Thapelo Mogale, who asked whether he intends holding a referendum to test public opinion for or against secession of the Western Cape, the creation of a Volkstaat for Afrikaners and Western Cape independence. In his response, Ramaphosa said the Constitution obliged him to defend the supreme law of the country and promote unity of the nation. “In line with the constitutional responsibility of the president to uphold, defend, and…

Cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery statistics reveal a significant decline overall, yet the rise in violent tactics employed by criminals has raised alarm bells. According to the latest figures from the Cash-in-Transit Association of South Africa (Citasa), a total of 180 CIT robberies were recorded from January to December 21. Citasa head Grant Clark said: “The number of CIT robberies decreased by 13% when comparing January to December 21, 2025, with the same period in 2024.” “In 2024, KwaZulu-Natal was the highest risk province, and Gauteng was in the second position. In 2025, the picture changed, with Gauteng in the highest position, followed by KwaZulu-Natal. Eastern Cape shows a decrease,” Clark said. He explained that from January to March and during May 2025, Gauteng and KZN reported the same number of CIT…

Stellenbosch FC have hit the jackpot by bringing the legendary Gavin Hunt on board as their new head coach, leveraging his extensive experience and proven track record. The Winelands club will embark on a new journey in South African football with Hunt, a name synonymous with success. He succeeds Steve Barker, who departed unexpectedly earlier this month, and will assume the role with immediate effect. In a statement on Tuesday morning, Stellenbosch FC CEO Rob Benadie expressed the club’s excitement about Hunt’s appointment. “We are delighted to welcome a coach of Gavin Hunt’s calibre and experience to Stellenbosch and look forward to supporting him as we usher in a new era at the club. We are proud of the quality of local and international candidates who applied for the position.…

Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann has emphatically denied that the Springbok Mobi-Unit will be involved in his team’s preparations for Saturday’s north-south URC derby with the Stormers in Cape Town. Ackermann said that the speculation that this would be the case is unfounded. “I never asked for that, and Rassie (Erasmus) also said it wouldn’t be ideal,” Ackermann explained. “The thought that they would be in camp this week is ridiculous, and I challenge any press photographer to get a picture of a Bok coach at Loftus this week. That was never our intention.” Ackermann expressed frustration at the misinformed reporting: “The story was spread without the facts, and nobody bothered to speak to me. The truth is simple: I assessed everything and wanted a fresh pair of eyes to…

Law firm B Xulu and Partners Incorporated has filed an urgent application at the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, to interdict President Cyril Ramaphosa from appointing the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP). The legal challenge seeks to stop the appointment process scheduled for January, when the director Shamila Batohi retires. The law firm alleged that the advisory panel did not adequately consider the formal objection regarding Advocate Hermione Cronje’s candidacy. This is after the firm’s director, Barnabas Xulu, submitted a 99-page objection accusing Cronje of “unlawful information peddling” and sharing confidential state information with external parties during her tenure as the leader of the NPA’s Investigating Directorate (ID) in 2020. The firm claims the entire selection process was unlawful and biased, demand- ing that the advisory panel’s work be scrapped…

The legal case against five men charged with possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition has been postponed to January 5, after their case was rolled over for a legal aid application. This development follows their abandonment of a bail application yesterday. Some of the suspects, who are Lesotho nationals, are also accused of Contravention of the Immigration Act. Their identities are still being withheld as they’re yet to undergo an ID parade, which may help determine their connection to the Bekkersdal tavern mass shooting. These five suspects are among 11 individuals arrested in connection with the mass shooting at the KwaNoxolo Tavern on Christmas Eve. This, while the other six are yet to be formally charged. The five were charged with possession of live ammunition, unlicensed firearms, and defeating the…

President Cyril Ramaphosa said the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) was expected to finalise its investigations into Honours and Masters degree qualifications at the University of Fort Hare before the end of the 2025/26 financial year. “I am informed that the SIU investigation into academic qualifications relating to the award of the Honours degrees in Public Administration has been finalised. “The investigation with respect to the award of the Masters and PhD degrees in Public Administration is ongoing,” Ramaphosa said. “I am informed that the investigation into these academic qualifications is envisaged to be finalised in the third and fourth quarters of this current financial year, respectively.” Ramaphosa said the report naming the implicated persons in academic fraud is being finalised and will be submitted to him in due course. He…

Bafana Bafana advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 with a 3–2 win over Zimbabwe, but head coach Hugo Broos is not fully satisfied with his team’s performances. Amid defensive lapses and inconsistent play, striker Lyle Foster has provided a bright spot, scoring his second goal in three matches and showing his importance for the next stage. South Africa finished second in Group B behind Egypt, who claimed the top spot on seven points following a goalless draw against Angola in their final group match. While Bafana only needed a draw to advance comfortably, Zimbabwe twice came back to level the score, exposing vulnerabilities in the defence and overall play that concerned the Belgian coach as he shifts focus to his next challenge. Bafana will now face…

AS Manchester United prepare to walk head into 2026 after a rather turbulent 2025,, centre-back Harry Maguire has opened up about the "sink or swim" reality of life at the world’s most scrutinised club. In a deep-dive interview, Maguire speaks candidly about his six-year journey — a path marked by heavy responsibility, tactical shifts, and a hard-earned "redemption" that has defined his current campaign. The Scrutiny of a Giant: "Sink or Swim” Reflecting on his time at the club, Maguire notes that the intensity of the Premier League is magnified tenfold at Manchester United. “You quickly realise things can turn real quickly when you’re at this club," he admits. “You obviously know it’s a big club, but you don’t understand how big the analysis and the scrutiny is on everything…

THE Sharks and the Lions have had some epic tussles in the United Rugby Championship, with the Joburgers often targeting this fixture, and Lions old boy Vincent Tshituka expects another battle on Saturday at Kings Park. Tshituka, his younger brother Manu, Jordan Hendrikse, and Edwill van der Merwe are former Lions who will be in Sharks colours at "The Tank" (3.30pm kick-off). “This week, there has been a nice buzz as we tune into an SA derby,” the elder Tshituka said. “It is always a big one against the Lions; they tend to believe they can beat the Sharks. It is always a spectacle, so we expect nothing less than that on Saturday. We feel confident and ready, and are looking forward to the game because the players are excited…

HEADACHES caused by incorrect billing could soon be a thing of the past as the eThekwini Municipality is set to go live with a new billing system. The city stated recently that in a strategic move to enhance operational efficiency, embrace technological innovation, and foster a customer-focused service environment, the municipality will replace its Revenue Management System (RMS). The Mercury reported in 2023 that a controversial billing system, which was installed at a cost of more than R1 billion, faces the chop as it is not compatible with some of the “financial control tools” that are to be implemented by the municipality. The Revenue Management System (RMS), which was implemented in 2016, was a source of endless problems for rate- payers who complained of inflated bills. The system also came…

The recent transfer of controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala from the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria to the eBongweni Correctional Facility in Kokstad has ignited public interest and raised questions about the underlying motives. The announcement, made by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), confirmed that Matlala, who is accused of attempted murder, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit murder, was relocated to what has been described as South Africa’s most secure prison on December 21, 2025. The department’s spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo stated that the transfer falls within standard operational procedures. “The transfer of remand detainees and sentenced offenders between correctional facilities is a standard operational practice, informed by a range of considerations, primarily security, safety, operational requirements, and effective inmate management across the correctional system,” he…

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has ruled out introducing a legislative amendment that would require reporting misconduct by members of the Presidential Protection Services (PPS) to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). Responding to DA MP Ian Cameron, Cachalia stated that current legislation already provides for reporting misconduct by Presidential Protection Services members to the IPID. “The Minister of Police will not introduce legislative amendments to the South African Police Service Act, 1995 to create a statutory obligation for Presidential Protection Services misconduct to be reported directly to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate,” he said. Cachalia was asked by Cameron whether he intended to introduce legislative amendments to the SAPS Act and/or IPID Act to create a statutory obligation for Presidential Protection Services misconduct to be reported directly to IPID,…

Lifesaving South Africa (LSA), has praised lifesavers for their hard work this festive season in ensuring safe swimming for those visiting the country’s beaches. Their commendable performance ensured that no drownings were recorded during their official duty hours. One of the busiest periods was the long weekend, which lasted from December 25 to 28. LSA management board member, Dhaya Sewduth, commended lifesavers for their exceptional work in ensuring that families and individuals under their watch returned home safely. Sewduth said most bathers remaining within the designated bathing zones are also encouraging. He also acknowledged the SAPS and other security forces for maintaining order on the beaches and for enforcing restrictions on alcohol. Continued vigilance is encouraged for the final long weekend of the year and beyond. However, he noted…

Sunrisers Eastern Cape captain Tristan Stubbs has heaped praise on Quinton de Kock ahead of the New Year’s Eve clash against Paarl Royals at St George’s Park. The veteran wicket-keeper/batter joined the two-time champions for Season 4 and has made a major impact in the Sunrisers’ rise to the top of the table with two consecutive bonus-point victories. De Kock is the leading run-scorer in the competition with 119 runs at an average of 59.50 after striking 77 and 42 against Pretoria Capitals and the Royals respectively. But Stubbs, who is only two games into his new captaincy career at the Sunrisers, appreciates the input De Kock is having in the dressing room and also on the field. “He's been so good,” Stubbs said. “I think we have a direct…

Several Bafana Bafana players stepped up as Hugo Broos’s side clinched a remarkable 3-2 win against Zimbabwe on Monday night in Morocco, highlighting the team’s resilience and competitive spirit. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, blending meticulous control with exhilarating chaos after a handful of Bafana Bafana players underwhelmed. Here is a look at the three best and three weakest Bafana Bafana performers from the night. The performers Oswin Appollis – 8 Appollis delivered a game-changing performance, scoring the late penalty to secure a crucial win and showcasing his growing significance in the national team. This performance enhances his reputation as a key player, reflecting his ability to handle pressure. He demonstrated strong synergy with Aubrey Modiba and Sipho Mbule, and exuded confidence despite not converting every goal-scoring opportunity.…

MI Cape Town batter Ryan Rickelton’s century at Newlands in the tournament opener highlights the opening week of the fourth edition of the SA20. If there ever was a time for Rickelton to stand up and fight for his career, it is now during the fourth season of the SA20. Going into the tournament, Rickelton was not in the best of form in white-ball cricket. In fact, the 29-year-old did not get a game in the recently concluded five-match T20I series in India earlier this month. The more experienced wicket-keeper batter Quinton de Kock’s return to international cricket saw Rickelton sit out the entire series, as De Kock showed fine form in India, reminding the world of his dominance in the shortest format of the game. With De Kock having…