Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-07-03 i Star

The Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) has poured cold water on a report by advocacy group Open Secrets, which accuses consultancy firms and their intertwined relationships with business interests of systematically looting funds allocated for South Africa's Just Energy Transition (JET). The report, titled The Climate Consultants; How management consultants cash in on the climate crises, outlines serious allegations regarding the influence of private sector technocrats on government climate policy, while simultaneously consulting for fossil fuel companies implicated in worsening the climate crisis. The report describes how much of South Africa’s Just Energy Transition (JET) plan is being financed by a $12.8 billion pledge from France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the European Union. Most of the money so far provided is in the form of concessional loans, which means it…

Officials cite ‘deal fatigue’ after Competition Tribunal scheduled a hearing too late Sun International’s R7.3 billion acquisition of Peermont has been terminated after the Competition Tribunal scheduled a long-awaited hearing too late for the deal to legally proceed, while “deal fatigue” had set in among the parties. In an extraordinary event, the Competition Tribunal had scheduled hearings for the Sun International and Peermont deal to be heard on October 2, 2025. The Competition Tribunal is a condition precedent to the transaction, which currently has a longstop date of September 15, 2025. “Accordingly, as the hearing date is after the regulatory longstop date, the parties have mutually agreed to the immediate termination of the Proposed Transaction,” Sun International said. However, the Competition Commission denied it was the cause of delays in…

The World Shipping Council (WSC) Container Lost at Sea 2025 report indicated that 576 containers were lost at sea in 2024, which is an increase from 221 containers lost in 2023 but remains well below the 10-year average of 1,274 containers lost annually. The report also indicated that 200 containers were lost around the region of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. A master mariner believes that even a small loss of containers is a concern for shipping lines. The report said that the figures underscore continued industry progress on safety and prevention. “Container losses in 2024 were influenced by ongoing disruption in the Red Sea region, which led to a significant shift in global trade routes. Vessel transits around the Cape of Good Hope increased by…

S&P Global Ratings has upgraded African Bank’s long-term global scale issuer credit rating to ‘B+’ from ‘B,’ with a stable outlook, and affirmed the short-term global scale rating at ‘B.’ - the only local bank to have its rating raised by the issuer, while the ratings of other banks were affirmed. S&P Global affirmed the ratings of Absa Bank, BNP Paribas Personal Finance South Africa, Capitec Bank, FirstRand Bank, Investec Bank, Nedbank, and the Development Bank of South Africa. “In our view, the South African banking system is now in an expansion phase,” S&P said on its website. On African Bank, S&P said the upgrade reflected the bank’s more supportive economic environment, coupled with strong capitalisation that partially compensated for its weak asset quality indicators. “We expect African Bank will…

Nearly two decades since the iconic phrase “that’s all” resonated throughout cinema, the much-anticipated sequel to The Devil Wears Prada is officially in the works. Lead once again by Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly, The Devil Wears Prada 2 promises to update viewers on the beloved characters navigating a dramatically changed fashion landscape. The original film, released in 2006 and based on Lauren Weisberger’s best-selling novel, cemented itself as a cultural touchstone, grossing over $326 million globally and earning two Oscar nominations, including a Best Actress nod for Streep. Viewers followed the journey of Anne Hathaway’s Andréa Sachs, an aspiring journalist who becomes entrenched in the demanding world of high-fashion publishing under Priestly’s ruthless guidance. Fans had speculated about a sequel for years when the original cast, including Streep, Hathaway,…

The lead investigator in the murder case of Likhona Fose, 14, has publicly conceded that he does not have evidence linking Mduduzi Mnisi, 39, to the murder of Likhona. “The worship, I have been asked, and I cannot talk any further about something that the court did not ask. ‘‘When the State counsel asked the questions about the statement and I answered. ‘‘The issue of the community came after they had asked me about the applicant. ‘‘Then, when I went outside, I saw that the community was singing and holding placards that the applicant must be arrested,” he said during the ongoing bail application. Mnisi, who has been charged with premeditated murder, appeared for his formal bail application at the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The investigator revealed that the prosecution…

An attorney’s actions by laying false charges of assault against a colleague at the same law firm where she is based, causing him to spend several days in custody under harrowing conditions, will cost her R500 000. The Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, did not only order Sameera Malekjee to pay her colleague, Christopher Jukes, this amount in damages for defamation, but it was also directed that a copy of this judgment be sent to the Legal Practice Council. Acting Judge Nigel Redman said: “The defendant (Malekjee) is an attorney and an officer of this court. The defendant appears to have abused the criminal justice system for her own ends.” Jukes claimed R1.5 million for the humiliation and hardship he had to endure. He is said to be a successful attorney…

Three suspects, including a former police officer appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court in the Free State on charges of trafficking in persons, rape, and attempted murder. The three suspects, Alicia Britz, 29, Rian Mulder, 56, and former officer Raoul Hartman were arrested on Monday, June 30. The arrest comes after a multi-disciplinary team led by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s (known as Hawks) Bloemfontein-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, K-9 Unit, Crime Intelligence, and Police Emergency Services joined forces. The provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti, said one of the suspects is a former Warrant Officer who was attached to the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Bloemfontein until 2019 when he retired. “The 26-year-old victim alleges that, during July 2022, she saw an advertisement…

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) has come out in strong support of its senior members and MPs, Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama, who are facing charges related to a multi-billion rand scandal involving the procurement of locomotives at Transnet. The party’s national spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, questioned the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) impartiality, accusing the justice system of engaging in a “troubling pattern of retaliation” against party members who have held state institutions to account. Molefe, Gama, and two other former Transnet executives, Anoj Singh and Thamsanqa Jiyane, were arrested and released on bail of R50 000 each on Monday. Ndhlela said the party would not be silenced or intimidated by the charges against its members. The MK Party has consistently called for accountability within state-owned enterprises and institutions like…

Faced with non-existent legal citations in a matter before the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, an acting judge asked counsel responsible for it whether the citations constituted artificial intelligence (AI) “hallucinations,” to which the red-faced advocate confirmed that “it appears to be so.” Acting Judge DJ Smit made this discovery when he was about to write his judgment in a matter of Northbound Processing, which wanted to compel the South African Diamond and Precious Metals Regulator to release a refining licence to it. Judge Smit remarked that while drafting this judgment, it came to his attention that two cases cited in Northbound’s heads of argument do not exist. He invited Northbound’s counsel to clarify the position. Time pressure was given as an excuse, as the matter came before court as an…

Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) confirmed that it has temporarily halted production at its assembly plant in East London. The company told IOL that the planned non-production period, effective from June 24 to July 30, 2025, is a normal occurrence. “An annual non-production period at the East London production plant is standard procedure and it is common cause for production plants to suspend production based on volume adjustments in the production programme,” an MBSA spokesperson said. “Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) continually assesses and adjusts its production planning in alignment with global demand, market dynamics, and the company’s strategic objectives.” However, the spokesperson would not be drawn on speculation that US tariff structures might have led to the production halt, stating that the company was continuously assessing the impact of the new…

Youth Month may have ended, but the reality facing young South Africans has not changed with the turning of a calendar page. This is not a June issue. This is a July issue, an August issue, and an every-month issue until change comes. I was born on Youth Day. Not just into a date, but into a mission. For most people June 16 is a symbol. For me, it has been a summons. A daily reminder of what it means to inherit a nation still searching for its soul, and what it means to carry forward a legacy written in both blood and possibility. At 26 years old, I was elected one of the youngest councillors in South Africa. I was often referred to as a youth leader, but the…

South Africa's Lloyd Harris has once again failed to make it to the second week of a Grand Slam tournament after he was beaten by Russia's Andrey Rublev in their second-round match at Wimbledon on Wednesday. Rublev beat Harris by three sets to one to advance to the third round. Harris won the first set 6-7 after winning a one-sided tie-break 7-1. However, the Russian hit back in the match to claim the next three sets 6-5, 7-6 (7-5) and 6-3. Harris qualified for the second round by upsetting the promising American talent Alex Michelsen in a marathon five-set thriller in the first round. However, that match seemed to take a lot out of him as Rublev eventually cruised to victory in their second-round outing. Meanwhile, in the day's featured…

Shubman Gill led from the front once more with a second hundred in as many matches as India captain to keep England at bay at Edgbaston on Wednesday. Gill’s 114 not out was the cornerstone of India’s 310/5 at stumps on the first day of the second Test, with Yashasvi Jaiswal contributing a typically entertaining 87. India lost two wickets in quick succession to be 211/5 but all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (41 not out) helped Gill avoid a further collapse in an unbroken stand of 99. Gill, however, knows better than anyone that individual milestones are no guarantee of team success. In the first Test at Headingley, India posted five individual hundreds, including Gill's 147, and still lost – the first time this had happened in more than 60 000 games…

The Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA) has responded to recent concerns surrounding a document that has raised eyebrows within the public domain. A week ago, the Public Service and Commercial Union of South Africa (PSCU) raised alarm over alleged financial mismanagement of pension funds amounting to more than R500 million at the GPAA. According to a preliminary internal audit report for the 2024/25 financial year, compiled by Abacwaningi Business Solution (ABS) Audit & Advisory Services, there are a number of key governance concerns at the GPAA, which the auditors have brought to the attention of management to ensure sound governance. The GPAA is a government component which reports to the Minister of Finance and administers funds and schemes on behalf of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), the largest pension…

There is a quiet war being waged across the globe. Not with guns or tanks, but with ideas, influence, and narratives. At its heart lies a question that should haunt any country born of struggle: who gets to tell our story, and on whose terms? South Africa, once a beacon of hope in a world riddled with racial injustice, stands today at a painful crossroads. Our democracy, though hard-won, has been hijacked by elite capture, economic exclusion, and the slow erasure of our liberation ideals. And in the realm of global discourse, we have surrendered our voice to the same Western machinery that once labelled our freedom fighters terrorists. It is in this context that the message of BRICS, and particularly the recent "Legacy of Hope" initiative, must be understood.…

When I wrote about the 2024 Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) last year, it felt like the world of startups was holding its breath, hopeful, but cautious. We were all waiting to see what would come next. Now, here we are in 2025, and that moment of pause is well and truly over. The startup world has exhaled and taken off in a full sprint, straight into the AI era. This year, the newly released GSER 2025, now in its 13th edition, hits a different note entirely. It doesn’t just take stock of where we are, it challenges us to rethink where we’re going. With insights drawn from over 5 million startups across more than 350 ecosystems, this year’s report is, more than anything, a bold invitation to act. Each…

Hong Kong is expected to lead the world in initial public offering (IPO) financing this year despite uncertainty from geopolitical tensions and trade tariffs, accountancy giant PwC said on Wednesday. The Chinese financial hub's capital market has rebounded strongly this year, with dozens of Chinese companies piling into the city to raise overseas capital despite regulatory pressure from Beijing and uncertainty over its national security laws. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) said its statistics suggest nearly 100 companies will raise at least HK$200 billion (R450bn) in Hong Kong this year. It said Hong Kong's IPO wave has benefited largely from policy support from the Chinese government and optimised listing rules by Hong Kong regulators that include streamlining approval processes. "The improved market liquidity and rising international investor demand for core Chinese assets also…

Pick n Pay’s 2025 financial year represented the first leg in what will be a multi-year turnaround to sustainable, long-term profitability, CEO Sean Summers said in the annual report. The Pick n Pay trading loss had been reduced by two thirds, against the group’s target of a 50% reduction, and it was debt free. The supermarket estate was leaner, stronger, more targeted and better positioned for profitability. “This progress is only the beginning, it is meaningful and has laid the essential groundwork for the next phase of recovery,” he said. Priorities for the 2026 financial year were to raise execution standards across the store network, accelerate investment in the estate, enhance the offer, and embed operational efficiencies that drive performance and simplicity, he said. He said that in 2025, the…

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is stepping into the iconic world of Street Fighter, the live-action adaptation of the popular Capcom video game. The rapper-turned-actor and businessman has been cast as Balrog, a disgraced boxer and bodyguard to the film’s villain. Joining Jackson in this star-studded ensemble are WWE superstar Joe Anoa’i, better known as Roman Reigns, who will portray the fearsome battler Akuma and martial artist Andrew Koji, celebrated for his role in Warrior, taking on the lead character Ryu. Rounding out the cast is Callina Liang, who will play Chun-Li, Jason Momoa as Blanka, heartthrob Noah Centineo as Ken and country singer Orville Peck as Vega. As Jackson prepares for his role as Balrog, online reports indicate that he is fully committed to the character, engaging in extensive training…

FF Plus leader Corné Mulder says he has yet to brief President Cyril Ramaphosa on claims that the Trump administration has demanded that US entities be exempted from all Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) requirements as a precondition for normalising bilateral relations with South Africa. There are more than 600 US companies based in South Africa. Mulder made the claims as a FF Plus delegation returned from the US where they met with senior White House officials. This demand is part of a broader set of conditions that include addressing farm attacks, condemning the ‘‘Kill the Boer’’ chant, and ensuring fair market compensation for land expropriation. According to Mulder, the White House officials expressed concern that these conditions have not been adequately addressed. Unions generally view BEE as a means to…

Former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe’s youngest son, Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, has been released on bail after he was arrested on multiple charges including assault. The 28-year-old Chatunga is charged alongside his bodyguards identified as Peter Fredson and Tinashe Mupawo. The arrest follows a violent attack that occurred at a mining site in Mazowe - Ultimate Mining concession, leaving a security guard critically injured, with broken limbs. The Ultimate Mining concession borders a farm owned by Chatunga’s mother, Grace Mugabe. The brutal attack happened last week, when the furious Chatunga led a group of heavily armed men, some brandishing AK-47 rifles. The group, led by Chatunga, charged into the mining area and confronted the security guards, accusing them of allowing illegal miners to operate on his mother’s property. After a severe…

Acting Johannesburg Mayor, Kenny Kunene, has launched a scathing attack against what he described as increasing interference by NGOs and courts, claiming they are actively obstructing the City’s efforts from “air-conditioned offices” to tackle illegal immigration, unauthorised land occupations, and hijacked buildings. Kunene, who has been spearheading intensified enforcement operations in recent weeks, says city officials are being blocked at every turn by “self-proclaimed human rights defenders” who, according to him, are prioritising the rights of criminals and lawbreakers over the safety and well-being of law-abiding residents. “There is political and moral will on our side to act decisively,” Kunene said during a site inspection in Marshalltown, Johannesburg on Tuesday. At the heart of the dispute is Johannesburg’s derelict buildings – many of them illegally occupied – which have become…

The South African government has emphasised that it was not part of the delegation of Afrikaner politicians who visited Washington, DC, in the US. The group that went without being directed by the government arrived back in South Africa yesterday. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) spokesperson Chrispin Phiri told IOL that the group was pursuing its “own agenda”. “Our experience is that State actors do not use non-state actors as intermediaries; therefore, Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) visit and subsequent pronouncements will be viewed as nothing more than their ambitions,” he said. The group includes VF Plus leader Dr Corné Mulder, the executive director of Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI), Dr Theo de Jager, and the National Employers’ Association of South Africa (NEASA) chief executive Gerhard Papenfus.…

South Africa’s manufacturing sector remains a cornerstone of the nation’s economic growth and industrialisation ambitions, contributing approximately 13 % to GDP and employing over 1.6 million people. Despite challenges such as logistics constraints and energy disruptions, the sector demonstrates resilience and adaptability, underpinned by strategic government support, technology adoption, and growing regional and global demand. As the country looks to expand its industrial base under the African Continental Free Trade Area, understanding the top manufacturing sectors provides insight into where growth, investment, and job creation opportunities lie. Top Manufacturing Sectors in South Africa 1. Food & Beverage Largest sub-sector, comprising 22.3 % of total manufacturing sales in Q4 2023. A consistent driver of growth with expanding domestic and regional market opportunities. 2. Basic Iron & Steel, Non‑Ferrous Metals,…

Up to 79 percent of all vehicles sold in the South African market are in the sub R550 000 bracket, which is one of the reasons Kia South Africa introduced the Kia Sonet LS at a smidgen under R300 000 and has seen them slowly inching their way back up the sales charts. However, they’re still very much aware that the market hasn’t completely forgotten about the premium segment, especially family SUVs, which have seen them refresh the fourth-generation Sorento range. Diesel continues The upgrades are refreshing, but most importantly, they have stuck to their diesel engine, taking advantage of our oil-burner preference when it comes to large SUVs and the fact that diesel options are becoming more scarce as the world focuses on New Energy Vehicles (NEVs). It’s their…

South Africans are buying fewer locally produced vehicles than ever before, sparking fears of deindustrialisation as the market’s appetite for affordably priced imports grows. Although the growing array of Chinese brands offered locally is usually seen as the greatest threat to local manufacturers, the vast majority of South Africa’s imported cars actually originate from India, according to the latest data from Lightstone. 36% of all the vehicles sold in South Africa in 2024 were imported from India, Lightstone said, while 37% were locally manufactured. Chinese imports accounted for just 11% of vehicle sales last year. When we exclude the bakkies and light commercial vehicles, India’s share grows to almost half of our market. Lightstone figures for the first five months of 2025, shared exclusively with IOL, show that 49% of…

South Africa’s Military Veterans Act No. 18 of 2011 was a solemn pledge to honour those who sacrificed their lives for freedom, promising them dignity through benefits like housing, healthcare, education, and pensions. At its core lies the Military Veterans Database (MVD) to identify and register those entitled to these hard-won rights. Yet, over a decade later, this promise lies in tatters, broken by a verification process riddled with bias, bureaucratic failure, and factional malice. Overseen by the Database Verification, Cleansing and Enhancement (DVCE) under the Presidential Task Team on Military Veterans (PTT), the system has become a tool of exclusion, humiliating and denying liberation soldiers their dues. Despite mounting complaints, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, the PTT chair, and Minister of Defence and Military Veterans' Angie Motshekga failed to act,…

South Africa’s title defence begins under different conditions, but the ambition remains the same: to return home with the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) trophy. Banyana Banyana will once again be tested by the best on the continent, and with taliswoman Thembi Kgatlana not part of the squad, Desiree Ellis will be banking on a trusted core to carry the load. It’s a squad built on continuity – with 17 players returning from the 2022 triumph – but the pressure is heavier, and the margins thinner. Five players, in particular, will be central to whether Banyana can go all the way: Refiloe Jane – Captain, controller and conductor. One of three co-captains named by Ellis, Jane remains the metronome in midfield. Her intelligence and positional awareness make her more…

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has drastically cut South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) forecast for 2025 below 1%, saying that the economy continued to be weighed down by a range of structural constraints and could take a hit from Trump's trade war. In its Country Focus Report for South Africa published on Wednesday, the AfDB lowered its forecast for Africa’s most-industrialised economy to a meager 0.8% this year from a previous estimate of 1.6%. This forecast by the AfDB is more pessimistic than the National Treasury’s growth forecast of 1.4% for the year, which was revised down from a prior 1.9% on the back of geopolitical tensions including Trump’s trade levies. It is also less than the South African Reserve Bank’s latest projection of 1.2% this year amid declining…

Farming associations have welcomed the issuing of the first permit to integrated poultry producer Astral Foods for the vaccination of poultry against avian flu. This comes after global outbreaks of Avian flu in America and Brazil. The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, on Tuesday announced that South Africa will embark on its first-ever vaccination campaign for poultry in the coming days as a proactive measure to minimise the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks. Francois Rossouw, the CEO of the Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai), said that granting Astral a permit to vaccinate broiler breeding stock against HPAI was a crucial step forward for the poultry industry. “From both a veterinary and agricultural perspective, this move strengthens our ability to prevent outbreaks, protect food security, and stabilise the…

South Africans remain resilient and determined, despite their continued efforts to deal with the challenges of youth unemployment, crime, and poverty. Recent reports from Statistics South Africa show that the youth unemployment rate is 46.1% for the 15-34 age group, 62.4% for the 15-24 age group and 40,4% for the 25-34 age group; these statistics indicate a crisis that requires deliberate intervention. The Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) ongoing integration of entrepreneurship education into schools, driven by its E³ (Employability, Entrepreneurship, and Education) initiative, is both timely and urgent. Recently making headlines through its new partnership with the European Union, the DBE has entered a critical phase of implementation that goes beyond theory. The focus is now on embedding practical, challenge-based entrepreneurial learning into the national curriculum (CAPS), starting from…

Netflix investors face a dilemma: Continue to bet on a stock that has delivered best-in-class returns over the past year or reconsider shares that increasingly look like they’re priced for perfection. The streaming giant’s stock price has nearly doubled over the last 12 months amid growth from advertising sales, subscription price increases and limited exposure to tariffs. While that makes it one of the best performing S&P 500 members over that span, it’s also boosted its valuation to 45 times expected earnings for the next year. In comparison, Nvidia Corp. is priced at 32 times while the Nasdaq 100 is at 27 times. Such a premium valuation, Netflix’s highest since 2021 - when its growth was being supercharged by the pandemic - is making even bullish investors wary of a…

As South Africa was celebrating the dawn of democracy in the mid 1990s, a serial killer was on the loose, determined to exact revenge on as many women as he could. Taking advantage of their newfound freedom of movement, Moses Sithole would prey on defenceless ladies who were in search of job opportunities in Gauteng at the time. Dubbed the ABC Killer – a name derived from his modus operandi of targeting young, black women across vulnerable areas like Atteridgeville, Boksburg and Cleveland, he would appear charming and friendly, meeting them in public places with the promise of an employment prospect. As they walked together, Sithole would insist that he knows a short cut, leading the woman into isolated velds where he would violently rape, rob and then murder…

The MK Party has been rocked by internal fighting, which sowed divisions among party members. Sources inside the party said there is a major internal fight within the party. This comes after a group of MK members of Parliament wrote to party president Jacob Zuma, calling for the removal of Colleen Makhubele, who is the party’s chief whip in Parliament. Makhubele has been accused of autocracy and of making decisions without consulting the MK parliamentary caucus. The developments come as a leaked letter allegedly written by the party’s parliament leader, John Hlophe, reveals his dissatisfaction with spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela’s disruptive conduct, which led to his removal from the whippery team, while Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla was reprimanded. Ndhlela was also accused of ignoring the party’s decision to remove him and insulting Makhubele,…

Family members, Mark Lombard, 29, and Sonnet Lombard, 46, have joined Mpumalanga farmer Pieter Grobler, 41, who was previously arrested for repackaging and selling expired and rotten food for human consumption. Grobler was arrested when law enforcement agencies raided a farm in Charl Cilliers, Mpumalanga, in February. He was subsequently released on R8 000 bail. In the latest developments, Hawks spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said Mark Lombard and Sonnet Lombard, believed to be Grobler’s relatives, were on Tuesday arrested as additional suspects. “The Lombards were released on warning after their brief court appearance in Secunda Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 1 July,” said Nkosi. “The two suspects allegedly conspired with Grobler to commit fraudulent activities and money laundering.” The Lombards were warned by the court to appear alongside…

In a determined move to reclaim South Africa’s correctional facilities from criminal networks, Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald has vowed to intensify raids and root out corruption within prisons. Delivering his Department’s Budget Vote speech before the National Assembly on Tuesday, Groenewald revealed alarming figures from ongoing unannounced raids and outlined a zero-tolerance approach to illicit activities behind bars. Minister Groenewald disclosed that in the past year alone, 466 raids were conducted in correctional centres across the country, resulting in massive confiscations. “Since July 3, 2024, various smuggled items have been found and confiscated. These include 33 874 cell phones, 20 577 sharpened objects, and a total of 122 407 items related to alcohol and other substances, 232.16 kg of drugs and R394.450.40 worth of money,” he said. Highlighting…

Jimmy Swaggart, one of the most influential figures in American televangelism, has passed away at the age of 90, following a cardiac arrest last month. His family announced the news via a heartfelt post on Swaggart’s official Facebook account on Tuesday. “For over seven decades, brother Swaggart poured out his life preaching the gospel, singing songs of the faith, and pointing millions to the saving power of Jesus Christ and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. His voice echoed through nations, his music softened hearts, and his message never changed: Jesus Christ and Him crucified. He was not just a preacher – he was a worshiper, a warrior, and a witness to the grace and mercy of God. He was a man whose faith was steadfast and always entered whatever…

The Mazda CX-5 is the Japanese brand’s most popular vehicle, both globally and in South Africa. However, the second-generation model has been on the scene since 2016, and is overdue for replacement. That is set to happen imminently, with Mazda’s Australian division confirming this week that the third-generation CX-5 will make its global debut on Thursday, July 10. Mazda is also giving us our first official, albeit blurry, glimpse of the new CX-5 through teaser images that hint at its “sharper” exterior design. The carmaker also promises a more “spacious” and “uncluttered” cabin, featuring advanced “human-centric” technology and safety systems. It is coming to South Africa, with the local division confirming earlier this year that the new CX-5 was one of four new models planned for introduction in the next…

The sharpened Springbok attack is attacking headlines, but flyhalf general Handre Pollard says the Boks will never deviate from their core DNA of physicality and set-piece dominance. Pollard has reassuring words for Bok purists who fear the World Cup-winners might get carried away with cavalier attack and forget their roots. “The core of our game will always be our physicality and being direct,” the veteran flyhalf said. “That is who we are as a team, and we will never shy away from that. Our set-piece dominance will always be key to every game we play, but if we can sprinkle a little something on our attack to take us to the next level, that is the goal. “We are not talking about massive, crazy changes on attack, just minor adjustments…

“This is the Oscars of boxing!” These were the excitable words of former World Boxing Council (WBC) and International Boxing Organization (IBO) heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. The retired Mancunian, also known as “The Gypsy King”, also exclaimed “Show me the money” when asked if he would make a comeback for a shot at the International Boxing Association (IBA) Pro heavyweight championship belt – which just so happens to be 5.5kg of pure gold. Fury’s comments though were in line with the spectacular events on a glorious sunlit day alongside the Bosphorus where the IBA were launching a “Golden Era” ahead of the IBA.Pro 7 Champions’ Night at the Rixos Tersane Istanbul. The “A-listers” were all there on full HD display. Alongside Fury was former undisputed welterweight and junior welterweight champion…

It’s almost a given that most South Africans expect the Springboks to comfortably dispatch of Italy at Loftus Versfeld this weekend. After all, in 16 previous encounters, Italy have beaten the Boks just once – a narrow 20–18 win in Florence back in 2016. A quick glance at the matchday 23 selected by Bok mentor Rassie Erasmus has only reinforced that conviction. It is a powerful unit, one with the potential to dismantle any opposition. Nonetheless, Bok hooker Bongi Mbonambi – named on the bench for Saturday’s Test (kick-off 5pm) – has advised caution, as the 34-year-old believes a brutal battle up front is brewing. And the stats support his concern. During the Six Nations earlier this year, the Azzurri lost only two of their scrums, boasting a 93% success…