Innholdsfortegnelse for 2024-11-27 i Mercury

Purple Group yesterday reported that it had turned the corner with pre-tax and adjusted profit surging 205.7% to R51.8 million for the year to ending 31 August, up from a R49m loss previously after revenue increased 45.1% to R400.4m. The strong performance saw the share price rise 1.82% to R1.12 on the JSE yesterday afternoon, a price that had already risen strongly from 64 cents a year ago. Group headline earnings per share increased by 186.3% to 1.77 cents compared with a 2.05 cents per share loss in the prior year. Attributable profit came to R24.8m, compared with a R24.9m loss in the previous year. Easy Group revenue increased by 51.5% to R360.2m. Easy Group operating expenses increased by 10.6% to R266.7m, while its profit after tax increased by 234.9%…

How was the blistering heat wave on Monday? Unbearable wasn’t it? It was a scorcher in Pietermaritzburg, 36 degrees centigrade in Hillcrest and a little cooler in Kloof (35 degrees). Even in the shade it was 34 degrees. You wish you were like the Drifters or the Rolling Stones under the board walk with your lover. If you were in your air- conditioned home, office or car you can thank your lucky stars. But if you were anywhere else you would be looking for a tree to shield you from the scorching sun. About the worst place to be on a blazing hot day is a car park at a shopping centre. Dripping with perspiration and grimacing with discomfort, you trudge across the treeless, burning tarmac at a shopping centre,…

IT’S taken a couple of days for the enormity of the plunge in Welsh rugby fortunes to sink in. Ok, the Boks were at their brilliant best, but all the same I’ve always had a feeling for Welsh rugby since 1955 and the brilliance at flyhalf for the British Lions of Cliff Morgan. The Lions shared the series with the Boks with two Tests each, Morgan skippering for them. He played 29 Tests for Wales and four for the British Lions. And there have been plenty of other talented Taffies. Ten have been inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame. One, Shane Williams in 2008, was awarded World Rugby Player of the Year. Morgan was one of rugby’s biggest crowd-pullers. He played for Wales in the Five Nations Grand…

TOMORROW hundreds of millions of citizens and residents of the US will be home, or have found their way home, to celebrate Thanksgiving. Many families will volunteer at a church or a community centre, before eating their own lunch or early dinner, to serve the poor and often homeless a wholesome meal. Others will hike in a state park or do the family rounds of visiting relatives or play football in the backyard until they sit to eat the traditional meal of turkey and a variety of side dishes. The conversations that take place will range from politics to sports to the untrustworthiness of the media. Lodged within the conversations will be shades of unresolved conflict between spouses, siblings, and stuff that surfaces year after year and shows families that…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala scandal is still hanging in the balance after the Constitutional Court in Braamfontein reserved judgment on the EFF and African Transformation Movement’s (ATM) application to set aside Parliament’s decision not to pursue an impeachment inquiry into Ramaphosa. The two parties argued at the apex court yesterday that Parliament acted unlawfully and irrationally when it voted not to probe the scandal further. The EFF was seeking accountability for his involvement in the 2020 break-in at his Phala Phala game farm while the ATM argued that the National Assembly failed in its constitutional duty to hold the Executive accountable. The lid blew off the scandal after a February 2020 break-in at Ramaphosa’s Limpopo game farm, which has sparked allegations of corruption and misconduct against the president. Ramaphosa…

Rescue teams remain on high alert as the search continues for a 23-year-old man from Limpopo who went missing in the surf in uMhlanga on Monday. According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the KwaZulu-Natal Surf Rescue Network was activated around 1 pm on Monday following eyewitness reports of a drowning in progress. "eThekwini Municipal uMhlanga lifeguards, NSRI uMhlanga rescue swimmers, Netcare 911 ambulance services, Marshall Security, SA Police Services, Metro Police Search and Rescue and Police Search and Rescue all responded to the emergency," the NSRI said. The rescue operation saw lifeguards and NSRI rescue swimmers braving the surf with Malibu rescue boards, rescue torpedo buoys and the NSRI rescue craft JetRib Rescue 5 Charlie. However, after extensive sea and shoreline searches, no trace of the missing swimmer…

In just under four months, KwaZulu-Natal police apprehended more than 42 000 people suspected of committing various crimes throughout the province. KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, in a media briefing yesterday said the arrests were made from August 1 to November 22. The second quarter (Q2) crime stats for the months of July to September 2024, which were released this week, showed a decrease in murder, rape, and hijacking cases in KZN, while other crimes like assault and cash-in-transit heists increased. Talking on the arrests made, Mkhwanazi said police in KZN arrested 42 079 suspects for various categories of crime. He said over 14 000 of them were arrested for contact crimes, 926 were arrested for murder, 986 for attempted murder, and 8 139 suspects were arrested for…

THE Justice and Constitutional Development Committee deferred deliberations on the two private members’ bills proposing constitutional amendments to set up an Anti-Corruption Commission and appoint a Cyber Commissioner. This after DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach briefed the committee yesterday on the bills aimed at strengthening accountability and the country’s criminal justice system. The two bills will, if passed, establish two Chapter 9 institutions that will investigate, prosecute, combat corruption and strengthen cybersecurity. Breytenbach said the Anti-Corruption Commission Bill will remove a large burden off the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), allowing them to concentrate on their core function of prosecuting crime independently and give them space to rebuild an essential institution. “An Anti-Corruption Commission will concentrate on a strictly defined and legislated space, dealing only with large-scale grand corruption and high-level organised…

A week ago, the Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa, led a government delegation on a visit to the People’s Republic of China to engage with the country’s state-owned assets institutions and enterprises. The aim of the visit was to promote the exchange of good governance practices and the strengthening of state governance. The South African government is currently seeking to advance the National State Enterprises Bill, which, among other things, aims to incorporate many state-owned enterprises (SOEs) under a single holding company, the State Asset Management SOC (SAMSOC). The visit by Minister Ramokgopa was thus justified as an intervention to draw from best practices on SOE reform. I’m not opposed to benchmarking tours. Having worked in the national, local and provincial governments, I have…

The Proteas and Sri Lanka face off at Kingsmead today. Here, Ongama Gcwabe takes a look at five match-ups that could potentially decide the series opener. Kagiso Rabada v Dimuth Karunaratne Despite Rabada's great strike rate in Test cricket, Sri Lanka opening batter Karunaratne has on numerous occasions stood his ground against a KG-led bowling attack. However, with the World Test Championship final spots on the line, and Rabada's impressive recent form, these two might put on a classic at Kingsmead. Karunaratne is a gritty left-handed batter, one who always seems to enjoy a hard graft, and facing Rabada in this series will be a challenge for him. Marco Jansen v Pathum Nissanka Jansen has returned from his rehabilitation and conditioning break and will most likely assume his place as…

Stellenbosch FC, a formidable competitor in the Betway Premiership, are gearing up to make their mark in the CAF Confederation Cup’s group stage, with a pivotal clash against Stade Malien looming on the horizon. The match is set for 6pm today at the 26th of March Stadium in Bamako, Mali, marking a significant milestone for the Western Cape outfit in their inaugural venture into continental football. Having impressed many in the early rounds of the tournament, Stellenbosch are beginning to shape up as a potential dark horse in this prestigious competition. The team dazzled in the first preliminary round, obliterating Nsingizini Hotspur from Eswatini with a staggering 8-0 aggregate victory, all against the backdrop of Moses Mabhida Stadium. This exuberant performance was a mere prelude to their subsequent triumph over…

The Israelis are losing the war in Gaza and so, to protect themselves against this obvious reality, they pretend that they are winning. To summarise, in over a year, the Israel Defence Force (IDF) has been unable to cripple the capabilities of Hamas, which has far fewer resources than the American and German-aided Israelis. There are still around 100 hostages to be retrieved who are in danger of dying in Gaza. Two hostages were killed amidst the heavy Israeli bombardment last week. In terms of military losses, Israel has strict censorship laws and does not disclose the real number of fatalities of soldiers, but over 800 soldiers have been reportedly killed since October 7. In Lebanon, the losses have been significant due to the lack of skill of the IDF…

In response to ‘Wonderful school reunion except for some actions’ (The Mercury, November 20, 2024), when the Steering Committee entered, it was their prior instruction to me that I keep the audience seated during their entrance as they felt they would be obscured by the 1000-strong audience. It was for this reason that I did not ask the audience to stand up and it was not out of any disrespect to my fellow colleagues. I do apologise for saying “shurr up” but I was saying it deliberately in a light-hearted and jocular manner as though we were still at school! But I accept that some people may have misunderstood and taken offence. Despite minor shortcomings, the overwhelming feedback we received was that the attendees thoroughly enjoyed themselves. All the committee…

FINANCE experts have been deployed to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education to scrutinise its wage bill amid concerns of the department’s financial viability. Finance MEC Francois Rodgers revealed that his department has dispatched experts to examine the wage bill, which consumes close to 90% of the department’s annual budget. Rodgers expressed concern that the department has not been able to provide a clear breakdown of how much of its budget is allocated to employee compensation. The Finance MEC addressed the matter shortly after tabling his adjustment budget at the provincial legislature yesterday. The Department of Education, the largest in the country, is facing significant strain due to budget cuts that have slashed billions of rand from its budget over the past few years. As a result of these cuts,…

The African National Congress (ANC) has taken proactive steps to mend its relationship with the South African Communist Party (SACP) in light of recent tensions that have strained their alliance. This reconciliation effort was confirmed by the ANC’s national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, following a pivotal meeting on Sunday at Luthuli House, which involved top leaders from both parties, including President Cyril Ramaphosa and SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila. Mapaila had previously said that the SACP was not in support of the Government of National Unity (GNU), especially since the ANC had chosen to work with the DA. Bhengu-Motsiri described the meeting as fruitful, as both parties strived to establish common ground amidst public disagreements. The discussions centered on pressing matters related to the nation’s political landscape, economic challenges and…

Monday marked the start of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign, which continues until December 10. The 16 Days campaign forms the centre point of the government’s 365 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children programme. Also on Monday, Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu released the second quarter crime statistics, which showed that despite a downward trend in several categories of crime, the murders of women and children remained high. Speaking during the release of the crime statistics, Minister Mchunu said gender-based violence has become a national priority crime. He said it “requires our distinct focus, as it continues to devastate families and communities, with a unique set of challenges that demand specialised intervention, thorough investigations, and collaborative solutions”. The…

The upper tier of Kings Park will be open to spectators for the first time in many moons for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship (URC) derby with the Stormers because of spectator demand. The good times are back at the Shark Tank after the first URC campaign under John Plumtree failed miserably. The Sharks were on a roll when the URC was rudely interrupted by the November international season and played magnificent rugby in humbling Munster (the 2023 champions) and Glasgow (the reigning champions). Four weeks later the Sharks regroup for the Stormers, a team that has had them under the cosh. In the battles of the Johns, it has been Dobson who has had the wood over Plumtree but the tide has changed for both sides. The Stormers have not…

Vukile Property Fund increased its interim cash dividend 6% to 55.2 cents per share for the six months to September 30, 2024. The consumer-focused retail REIT with sector specialisation and international diversification in Spain and Portugal was said yesterday that it was on track to meet full-year guidance of growth in FFO (funds from operations) per share of 2% to 4%, with a trajectory towards the upper end of its 4% to 6% dividend per share growth target. “Our strong first-half performance delivered outstanding operating results and solid trading metrics across our property portfolios, which means we are well set up for the next six months, and certainly for a number of years thereafter,” CEO Laurence Rapp said in a presentation at the release of the results yesterday. Vukile’s R40.1…

I’d like to address Adiel Ismail’s one-sided legal perspective on the IDF’s actions in Gaza. Before examining the 15 laws he claims the IDF violated, let's recall Hamas’s brutal attack on October 7, 2023, and their disregard for the rules of war. 1. Killing of civilians: The law prohibits targeting civilians. Hamas’ assault at the Nova festival and kibbutzim, where they murdered innocent partygoers and civilians, exemplifies this disregard. 2. Torture: Hamas militants have committed brutal acts against civilians, including beheadings and using hostages for mental torture. It is also well documented that Hamas carries out routine torture and killings of Palestinians who speak up against them. Where does Ismail condemn this? 3. Taking hostages: The Geneva Convention defines this crime. As of now, 101 hostages, including infants, are held…

In response to ‘Wonderful school reunion except for some actions’ (The Mercury, November 20, 2024), thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and feedback about our recent reunion event. We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the overall experience and appreciate your kind words. We also value your constructive criticism, particularly regarding Professor Suria Govender, our esteemed MC, and the handling of prize draws and raffles. We understand your concerns and would like to address them. We would like to clarify that we had explicitly instructed our Master of Ceremonies, Professor Govender, to request the audience to be seated upon our arrival. Professor Govender carried out this instruction accordingly. Given the tight programme schedule, Professor Govender employed various methods to settle the exuberant crowd at a…

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) says its Durban Terminals’ fleet replacement strategy is moving ahead as it recently received nine of 16 Liebherr rubber-tyre gantry crane (RTG) components. TNPA said that the fleet replacement strategy aimed to improve reliability and efficiency of port equipment. Industry players have welcomed the new equipment but said the port has suffered from years of underinvestment and it will take time for efficiency to improve. Earle Peters, Managing Executive at Durban Terminals, said that the assembly of the nine RTGs will be on-site, with handover to operations planned for May 2025. “The delivery of these RTG components is a key milestone that will significantly improve Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 1’s ability and help the terminal meet service delivery expectations.” Peters explained that the RTGs…

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, has arrested a Gauteng man who is implicated in illegal dealing and possession of firearms and ammunition. Gauteng Hawks spokesperson, Captain Lloyd Ramovha, said the “significant” operation was conducted last week at Westonaria. “It emanated from valuable intelligence received by the West Rand-based Hawks’ serious organised crime investigation team on November 18, 2024. This concerned an individual who was selling an AR-15 rifle, along with various rounds of ammunition,” said Ramovha. Following the intelligence information received by the Hawks, a search and seizure authority was applied for and duly authorised. “An arranged meeting with the unsuspecting man took place on November 20, 2024, at 6am in Randgate, Randfontein. A search of the target’s work vehicle revealed an AR-15 rifle…

EXPERT medical witnesses are there to testify on the facts of a case, and they should not speculate, a judge said in turning down a R10 million damages claim against the Road Accident Fund (RAF) after it was claimed that a child had suffered severe brain injuries following an accident. In this case, the child, who was nine when a taxi collided with the car in which she was a passenger, was said to no longer be able to achieve her academic goals, including attending a tertiary institution after she had completed school. A well-known neurosurgeon, who was called as the main expert witness, told the court that while the child - now 17 - started off with a mild brain injury, it had now escalated to a serious…

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has urged Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres to register in a new nationwide initiative aimed at enhancing quality and safety in early childhood education. Known as the “Bana Pele ECD Mass Registration Drive”, this campaign seeks to bring ECD programmes under formal oversight, particularly in low-income areas where many remain unregistered. Across South Africa, an estimated 20 000 ECD centres are currently unregistered, leaving tens of thousands of young children in settings that lack regulatory supervision and access to subsidies. This affects children in underserved communities the most, where facilities often face greater challenges and lack resources. The DBE’s spokesperson, Terence Khala, emphasised the significance of the mass registration drive, stating, “We are putting our children first. This initiative is an important step to…

Proteas bowler Eliz-Mari Marx has emphasised the need for substantial improvements in both bowling and batting if South Africa hopes to level the three-match T20I series against England. After a narrow four-wicket loss to the former world champions in the first T20I, the South African senior women’s team is gearing up for a pivotal second match at Willowmore Park in Benoni today, which is set to commence at 6pm. The Proteas women have never bested England in any bilateral series, and will require victories in the next two matches to secure their first-ever series win. Despite having the visitors on the back foot at one stage, reducing them to 64/4, South Africa could not capitalise, allowing England to stage a comeback, largely thanks to Nat Sciver-Brunt’s half-century (59 off 54),…