Innholdsfortegnelse for 2026-01-15 i Cape Times

The global unemployment rate is expected to hold steady in 2026, the United Nations said Wednesday, but cautioned the labour market's seeming stability belies a dire shortage of decent jobs. The UN's International Labour Organization said the global economy and labour market appeared to have weathered recent economic shocks better than expected. But the ILO warned that efforts to improve global job quality had stagnated, leaving hundreds of millions of workers wallowing in poverty, even as trade uncertainty risked cutting into workers wages. The global unemployment rate was estimated at 4.9 percent last year and the year before, and is now projected to remain at a similar level until 2027, a report from the UN labour agency said. That amounts to 186 million people out of work this year, it…

Minister Steenhuisen says vaccination is part of comprehensive state strategy to eradicate FMD Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has confirmed that government is moving ahead with a long-term plan to vaccinate South Africa’s entire national cattle herd as part of a comprehensive strategy to eradicate foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and restore the country’s FMD-free status. Steenhuisen delivered an update on the state of FMD during a briefing on Wednesday, acknowledging the severe impact recent outbreaks have had on farmers across the country. Already almost 2 million animals have been vaccinated since the importation of vaccines from Botswana began in 2025, and more than R72 million has been spent by government on these imported from Botswana. The minister emphasised that regaining FMD-free status was a monumental task that would not be achieved overnight.…

SA Canegrowers has renewed calls for the sugar tax to be scrapped, warning that a surge in imported sugar is displacing local production and placing the South African sugar industry under severe strain. Other agricultural organisations have echoed calls for the tax to be urgently reviewed, arguing that it is compounding the sector’s challenges rather than delivering measurable public health benefits. SA Canegrowers on Tuesday said the Health Promotion Levy, commonly known as the sugar tax, should be removed in light of sharply rising sugar imports, which are increasingly undermining domestic producers. The organisation warned that the sustainability of the industry — which supports more than one million livelihoods directly and indirectly across KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga — is at risk. “The local sugar industry supports more than one million livelihoods,…

A GROUP of learners accused of cheating in the 2024 exams are set to turn to court after their results have been withheld for more than a year. Section27, who represents the 50 learners, said they were wrongfully accused of “group copying”. The organisation has launched a judicial review application in the Polokwane High Court on behalf of the 50 former matric learners from Baphutheng Senior Secondary School, challenging decisions that found them guilty of “group copying” during their final 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations. The decisions, taken by the Acting Head of Department and upheld by the MEC for Education in Limpopo, relate to Business Studies Paper 1 and Economics Paper 2. As a result, the learners’ results have been withheld for more than a year, placing their…

EDUCATION MEC David Maynier has assured frustrated parents that his department was working “around the clock” to ensure that the more than 7 500 unplaced learners are in the classroom. About 7,540 learners across the province were still awaiting placement as schools opened for the 2026 academic year yesterday. Maynier, joined by Premier Alan Winde, visited Tamboerskloof Primary school to welcome learners, parents and staff. The reopening was characterised by excitement, relief, and joy. “To our teachers and school staff, you are the backbone of the education system. “Your hard work, dedication and sacrifice never go unnoticed. Thank you for all that you do in preparing young people for their careers and ensuring they are equipped to become active participants in our economy.” Maynier said the province…

Eskom has defended its decision to proceed with a review application challenging the granting of trading licences to five private trading companies. Eskom CEO Dan Marokane said in a statement the utility had little choice but to participate in legal proceedings challenging National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA)'s decision to grant trading licences to the companies. NOA Group Trading, Green Electron Market, CBI Electric Apollo, GreenCo Power Services, and Discovery Green were last year issued trading licences by NERSA, aimed at introducing competition and flexibility into the electricity supply sector. In September last year, Eskom said it “paused” or “stayed” its legal challenge. But it has, meanwhile, emerged that Eskom has confirmed with the court that it will go ahead with its legal challenge. This step followed criticism that…

Los Angeles 2028 Olympics chiefs promised an “affordable and inclusive” Games on Tuesday as they prepared to open registration for a lottery to buy tickets. LA28 chairman Casey Wasserman said one million tickets to the Olympics and Paralympics would be priced at $28 (about R459), while a third of the roughly 14 million tickets due to go on sale would cost $100 or less. “From the beginning, we’ve been clear: access to these games, because these games belong to everyone,” Wasserman said. “These games have to be affordable and inclusive.” Wasserman was speaking in the shadow of the historic Los Angeles Coliseum on the eve of the first step towards tickets going on sale. From yesterday, at 7am local time, fans around the world wwere be able to register for…

Geoeconomic confrontation has emerged as the most pressing global risk for 2026, underscoring a world increasingly shaped by rivalry, fragmentation and economic weaponisation, according to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Risks Report 2026 released on Wednesday. The report, now in its 21st edition, warns that geopolitical tensions, rising economic volatility and accelerating technological change are converging to create an era of heightened uncertainty. Half of the more than 1 300 global leaders and experts surveyed expect the global outlook over the next two years to be turbulent or stormy, while only 1% anticipate a period of calm. Geoeconomic confrontation — defined by the use of trade restrictions, sanctions, industrial policy and economic leverage to advance national interests — climbed eight places to top the near-term risk rankings for 2026.…

China's towering annual trade surplus surpassed $1 trillion for the first time last month, data showed Monday, as a sharp drop in shipments to the United States was offset by surging exports to other major markets. Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump reached a tentative truce to their fierce trade war when they met in late October, agreeing a pause to painful measures that included lofty tit-for-tat tariffs. Exports have served as a key economic lifeline for China as trade and relations with the United States and others have fluctuated in recent years. That has helped temper a prolonged debt crisis in the country's vast property sector and sluggish domestic spending, which have weighed on growth and are among the most pressing issues facing Beijing. Exports climbed 5.9 percent year-on-year…

South Africa’s major property groups remain cautiously optimistic about growth prospects in the year ahead, citing interest rate cuts in 2025, subdued inflation and improving economic fundamentals as key drivers of renewed activity in the housing market. Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of Pam Golding Property Group, said a series of interest rate reductions, together with easing price pressures and significant fuel price cuts through 2025 and early 2026, had meaningfully improved household finances and bolstered activity across the national housing market. “Notably, there was a discernible strengthening in national sales activity both in terms of volume and, more particularly, value during the second half of last year," he said. While acknowledging the uncertainty inherent in forecasting, Golding said the outlook for 2026 appeared constructive. He expects the pace of…

THE reopening of schools got off to a bumpy start for scores of Gauteng parents, whose children are still without a school despite having applied before the deadline. They gathered outside the Gauteng Department of Education offices yesterday to voice their growing discontent over the alarming rates of non-placement of their children in schools. They were supported by members of Operation Dudula. They have accused the provincial education department of a sluggish response which they say could result in their children remaining out of school for the entire year. Lindiwe Mbatha applied online in 2025, but her Grade 8 child is still without a school. “This system is forcing us to take our children to private schools, yet we cannot afford private school fees. Even after having…

POLITICAL interference in the police became prevalent after the 2007 ANC Polokwane elective conference, says ex-acting police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane. “From thereon, we started seeing practices that were not a norm,” Phahlane said. He made the remarks when his evidence was being led by Ad Hoc Committee chief evidence leader Advocate Norman Arendse. The committee was established to probe allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that police minister Senzo Mchunu, who is currently on enforced leave, disbarred the Political Killings Task Team for the benefit of criminal syndicates. Mchunu has denied the allegations. Phahlane said the appointment of former Crime Intelligence divisional commissioner Richard Mdluli that was followed by former minister Nathi Mthethwa fell outside the established practice. Phahlane said Mthethwa failed to present the submission…

THE South African Association for Marine Biological Research (Saambr) recently celebrated another milestone when its Open Ocean aquarium exhibit welcomed the birth of three healthy thorntail ray pups, with two females and one male at uShaka Sea World. In line with best practices, the pups were released on Tuesday morning, within 24 hours following their birth overnight. Saambr spokesperson Ann Kunz said the aquarium houses a group of three adult animals: two females and one male. Their weights vary, falling between 90 and 130 kilograms. “Although we knew that the mom was heavily pregnant and that the birth was imminent, it was still a wonderful surprise to see the strong and healthy trio swimming around the exhibit,” Kunz said. “The newborn rays are miniature replicas of the adult animals, with…

Marumo Gallants have moved swiftly to reinforce their squad ahead of the second half of the season, announcing a trio of new signings as preparations intensify for the league’s resumption. The additions follow the high-profile departures of Daniel Msendami and Mpho Chabatsane, who both completed moves to Orlando Pirates this week. With the Betway Premiership set to restart in less than a week, Gallants have acted decisively to address the vacancies left by the duo, strengthening their attacking options ahead of a crucial clash against TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium on January 21. The New Recruits Leading the new arrivals is Romaric Dognimin Ouattara. The 21-year-old Ivorian centre-forward joins from Algerian side Olympique Akbou and brings a formidable physical presence to the Gallants’ frontline. Standing at 1.90m tall, Ouattara is…

Economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) strengthened in 2025 and is expected to pick up further over the next two years, supported by easing inflation, improving financial conditions and stronger investment and exports. This is according to the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects: Sub-Saharan Africa regional report released on Wednesday. The bank said growth in the region is estimated to have risen to 4.0% in 2025 from 3.7% in 2024. The improvement was driven in part by moderating inflation and higher-than-expected commodity prices, particularly for gold, other precious metals and coffee, which boosted fiscal revenues in several countries. However, the report notes that performance across the region remained uneven, with growth slowing among some industrial commodity exporters while strengthening in others. Divergent trends were evident among SSA’s three largest economies.…

Northam Platinum Holdings performed well in the six months to December 31, 2025 after platinum group metals 4E (PGMs) produced from own operations increased by 3.7%, a production report showed. The mining group's shares surged 5.63% to R404.06 in early trade on the JSE after the report was released on Wednesday morning - the price has increased markedly from only R110.75 a year ago. Chrome concentrate production increased by 14.8%, compared to the corresponding 6-month period ended December 31, 2024. "Our operations performed well. Zondereinde is benefitting from logistics decongestion from the ongoing shift of UG2 stoping from the western to the higher-yielding eastern portions of the mine, as well as an increase in mining productivity from focused Merensky stoping in the Western extension," group directors said in the report.…

FORMER acting police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane has likened his removal and subsequent replacement “to a mess” created by then police minister Fikile Mbalula. Giving evidence at the Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Phahlane said he was in Pretoria in June 2017 when he received a call from Mbalula asking him to travel to a meeting in Cape Town. He said he waited for more than three hours to meet Mbalula amid media reports involving an investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate into him. The meeting, which was also attended by former deputy minister Bongani Mkhongi, lasted less than five minutes, he said. “The minister asked in view of all this negativity in the media, ‘is it not better for you step aside?’…

THE disciplinary hearing of National Freedom Party (NFP) member and KwaZulu-Natal social development MEC Mbali Shinga descended into chaos when her supporters and party leader Ivan Barnes exchanged blows during a fistfight at Durban's Edward Hotel yesterday. Shinga is being hauled before a disciplinary hearing over claims that she had violated the party's instruction to vote for a motion of no confidence in KZN Premier Thami Ntuli. The hearing was taking place at the hotel when her supporters stormed inside the venue and demanded that the party's national executive committee (NEC) stop the process. It was at this stage that Barnes and Manqoba Dlamini, the chairperson of the party's uThukela district, became embroiled in a fist fight with the police intervening to separate the sets…

THE City is forging ahead with the planning and development of a proposed baboon sanctuary on the Cape Peninsula despite opposition from animal welfare organisations. The Animal Survival International (ASI), has raised concerns, saying the process was marred by lack of transparency. A member of the Cape Point Baboon Trust, who has publicly objected to the proposal, was served with a cease-and-desist letter from lawyers acting on behalf of the private landowner where the enclosure is intended to be built, said the organisation. It warned that the use of legal threats against critics was a dangerous shift in conservation decision-making, where public participation and scientific debate are suppressed rather than encouraged. The organisation said conservation outcomes should be driven by transparency, evidence and community engagement, not fear or intimidation. The…

WILDFIRES have left a trail of destruction across the province including at Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary in Stanford where damage is extensive and several big cat camps and key infrastructure have been destroyed. “Thankfully, our amazing team was able to keep all 26 of our animals safe and successfully moved those directly under threat from the fires to safety. Most of our animals came through without critical injuries. “Sadly, despite all our efforts, our beloved tiger, Rays, did not survive. The combination of massive smoke inhalation and the stress from darting caused severe lung oedema and cardio-respiratory compromise. He went into a coma and passed away peacefully on Saturday, 10 January. There are no words to capture the grief we all feel,” said Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary Co-founders…

Two law enforcement officers arrested during an undercover anti-corruption operation for allegedly soliciting a bribe from a motorist will be served with suspension notices once they are released from custody, the City says. Law Enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason said the arrests stem from an incident that allegedly took place on January 5, when the officers pulled over a motorist in Parow who was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol. The motorist was also unable to produce a valid driver’s licence and was operating an unlicensed vehicle. Instead of enforcing the law, the officers allegedly demanded a R3 000 bribe to let the motorist go. When he was unable to pay immediately, arrangements were reportedly made to collect the money at a later stage. The motorist subsequently reported…

Carlos Alcaraz is targeting a career Grand Slam at the Australian Open, but winning the only major to elude him will be no easy feat with great rival Jannik Sinner standing in his way. Spain’s Alcaraz already has six major titles under his belt at just 22 years old, but success on the Melbourne Park hard courts remains a glaring hole in his résumé. He has failed to progress past the quarter-finals in four trips to Australia, losing at that stage in 2025 to Novak Djokovic, and to Alexander Zverev the year before. “It’s my first goal, to be honest,” Alcaraz said of Australia after winning the US Open last year – his second Slam title of 2025 after defending his crown at Roland Garros. “When I go into the…