Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-07-15 i Mercury

Former Absa board member Sipho Pityana is bracing for another bruising battle with the bank as well as the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) in the court of law in his fight for reform in the banking sector. This comes as Absa and the Sarb’s Prudential Authority (PA) both filed applications for leave to appeal the Pretoria High Court ruling last month that vindicated Pityana in his claim that the PA broke the law in interfering with his possible nomination as Absa chair in 2021. The PA controversially consulted with third parties regarding his suitability for the chairperson role, particularly following inquiries into his resignation from AngloGold Ashanti amid allegations of sexual harassment - claims he firmly denies. The court found that the PA acted unlawfully by adopting an informal…

The European Commission on Monday said it was putting forward a new list of US goods worth €72 billion (R1.5 trillion) that could be targeted by EU levies if tariff talks with Washington fail. The bloc's trade chief, Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, announced the proposal, "accounting for some €72 billion ' worth of US imports", at a meeting with EU ministers in Brussels. The move came after US President Donald Trump threw months of painstaking negotiations with the EU into disarray by threatening to impose tariffs of 30% on the bloc's goods if there is no deal by August 1. EU trade ministers agreed they were still keen to secure an agreement with Washington before that deadline to head off the damaging duties. But at the same time Brussels is moving…

In governance, few terms provoke as much unease as "conflict of interest". It conjures images of overt corruption, self-dealing and backroom deals. Yet in many boardrooms, the more dangerous form is covert and subtle. It emerges not through criminality but convenience, not through law-breaking but ethical lapses that thrive in silence and passivity. These are the conflicts that live in the grey zone. We often associate conflicts of interest with clear-cut wrongdoing: a director awarding a tender to their own company, a regulator sitting on a board they’re meant to oversee. But many conflicts are more nuanced. They live in assumptions we don’t question, relationships we don’t declare, and benefits we don’t probe. Often, they hide in plain sight: in annual declaration forms submitted as routine or meeting registers listing…

“It’s the most humbling thing I’ve ever seen . . . their cost, their quality of their vehicles is far superior to what I see in the West. We are in a global competition with China, and it’s not just EVs. And if we lose this, we do not have a future at Ford.” This was an admission, by Ford’s CEO Jim Farley at Aspen Ideas Festival, that Chinese cars are now better in terms of technology. I’ve been sitting on a fence when it comes to the quality of technology between cars developed in China, Germany and the US. This admission by the Ford CEO has inspired me to even look closer. At FastCompany (SA) magazine we have started to look at cars from a tech point of view…

Bitcoin surged past the key $123 000 (R2.2 million) per coin mark on Monday morning, hitting a new milestone and doubling its value over the past year. Nigel Green, the CEO of global financial coal advisory giant deVere Group, said Bitcoin is on track to reach $125 000 in the coming days and predicts support from US President Donald Trump, sweeping regulatory moves in Washington, and accelerating institutional demand converge to drive the cryptocurrency’s price to new highs. “Bitcoin has blasted through $122 000, and all the indicators point to $125 000 in sight this week,” said Green. “It’s being powered by deep political backing, new regulatory clarity, and sustained institutional inflows. This is a powerful combination we haven’t seen at this scale before.” Bitcoin’s gains follow a flurry of…

The Department of Health in KwaZulu-Natal continues to be impacted by medical negligence claims, with political parties arguing that the millions of rand paid out to victims could be better spent on increasing access to healthcare. The Durban High Court recently handed down a judgment in a case brought by a mother after her son was born with cerebral palsy as a result of negligence by the staff of the department at the KwaHlabisa Hospital. The damages in the matter are still being calculated according to the firm, Justice Reichlin Ramsamy Attorneys, which is representing the victim. “The matter has not been finalised. The parties will have to refer the directions by the judge to an actuary. Once calculated and agreed (upon), we will forward (it) to the judge for…

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) yesterday asked the Eastern Cape High Court, sitting in Gqeberha, to clarify its judgment in which Nigerian pastor and televangelist Timothy Omotoso and his co-accused were acquitted of 30 charges, which include rape and human trafficking. Judge Irma Schoeman, who had acquitted the accused as she found that the State did not prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, was told by the prosecuting authority that it was not clear on which facts her acquittal was based. Judge Schoeman acquitted Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani, 41, and Zikiswa Sitho, 33, of rape, human trafficking and racketeering in April this year. The judge was told that the NPA needed to be clear as it must base its appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA)…

Msunduzi Mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla has expressed deep concern over a devastating fire that tore through the Jika Joe informal settlement late Sunday evening, destroying an estimated 50 dwellings and claiming the life of one resident. Thebolla said the fire broke out at approximately 22:54 and was brought under control by 02:15 am, thanks to the swift response of emergency services. “We commend these teams for their timely intervention and professionalism under pressure,” he said, referring to the Fire and Rescue teams, Disaster Management, South African Police Service (SAPS), Emergency Medical Services, and other departments. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and all those who have lost their homes and belongings,” said Thebolla. He confirmed that the municipality is currently awaiting an official count of affected…

KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi was forced to address councillors outside the locked gates of the Umkhanyakude District Municipality in Mkhuze, in the far north of the province, yesterday after senior municipal officials allegedly attempted to block his visit. The MEC described the incident as a blatant act of obstruction by officials, including the Speaker and Municipal Manager of the Umkhanyakude District, who “barricaded the entrance to the municipality” to stop him from fulfilling his constitutional responsibilities. With the doors to the municipal offices locked, the MEC held his meeting at the entrance of the building, where he informed councillors that the Provincial Executive Council had resolved to place the municipality under administration in terms of Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution. “This section empowers…

Jannik Sinner, long seen as the quiet force in men’s tennis, made the loudest statement of his career on Sunday – winning his first Wimbledon title with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Carlos Alcaraz. In defeating his Spanish rival on the sport’s most storied stage, Sinner claimed his fourth Grand Slam at just 23, continuing a remarkable ascent that has already reshaped the post–Big Three era of men’s tennis. Between them, Sinner and Alcaraz have now won seven of the past eight Majors, firmly establishing themselves as the sport’s new standard bearers. While Alcaraz dazzles with flamboyant flair and high-risk shot-making, Sinner’s game is built on clinical precision and baseline power – drawing comparisons to Novak Djokovic in both temperament and technique. His calm demeanour on court is…

Liverpool couldn’t do it. Nor could Arsenal. Milan conceded five. Even the mighty Real Madrid fell short, humbled in unforgettable fashion. But Chelsea could – when few had given them a chance. Enzo Maresca’s Blues did to PSG what PSG have done to countless big names in a remarkable recent run that included Uefa Champions League glory as part of a magnificent treble for Luis Enrique’s all-conquering team. The quadruple was on, by all accounts, when PSG swept Madrid aside with a devastating opening salvo in the Fifa Club World Cup semi-final in the US. Chelsea, meanwhile, were quietly going about their business in the other half of the draw, adding key puzzle pieces along the way. But it was the addition of striker Joao Pedro from Brighton that would…

Ben Healy became the first Irishman since Stephen Roche in 1987 to take the overall lead at the Tour de France yesterday, delivering a relentless ride over eight gruelling climbs in the Massif Central. The 24-year-old EF Education-EasyPost rider had already claimed stage six in Normandy, but on this occasion the ever-smiling Healy confirmed his promise with a career-defining effort to seize the fabled maillot jaune. He becomes only the fourth Irishman to wear the yellow jersey, following in the footsteps of Shay Elliott (1963), Sean Kelly (1983), and Roche, who famously won the Tour 38 years ago. Healy’s performance even eclipsed that of stage winner Simon Yates, who tracked him throughout the day as they crossed the dramatic ancient volcanic landscapes of the region. Such was the Irishman’s aggression…

On March 31 Amsa said that it had received a R1.68 billion funding facility from the IDC ArcelorMittal South Africa (Amsa), which continues to pay heavy prices for government infrastructure and policy failures, may be left with no option but to prepare for the wind down process of its Longs Business, well in advance of September 30, 2025. This announcement, and despite a forecast of slightly reduced headline earnings losses for the six months to June 30, caused the share price to slump 7.89% to 105 cents on the JSE by Monday afternoon - considering that three years ago the price traded above R5 a share. On March 31, Amsa announced its decision to wind down the Long Steel Business had been deferred for at least 6 months to September…

The G20 Finance and Central Bank Deputies meeting on Monday outlined how the upcoming discussions will revolve around enabling a conducive environment for constructive dialogue on pivotal global trade issues. This comes as the United States, the world's largest economy, has created uncertainty across global trade by imposing hefty reciprocal import tariffs on its trading partners, including emerging economies whose size pales in comparison to the US. Dr Rashad Cassim, deputy governor of the South African Reserve Bank, said the World Trade Organisation was the global institution that has been working for decades to create fairness in the global trading system. However, Cassim said the G20 has a broader mandate than the world trade system. "So, the challenge we're going to face at this meeting is really having a…

In the context of high global uncertainty, tighter global financial conditions, and rising borrowing costs, concerns about sub-Saharan Africa’s debt vulnerabilities are mounting. But the region is tackling this issue head-on and public debt ratios have stabilized on average. Our analytical note in the IMF’s latest Regional Economic Outlook for sub-Saharan Africa uses a new data set to highlight when, how often, to what extent, and how debt stabilization was achieved. Surprising frequency Contrary to perception, countries in the region have often been able to stabilize or reduce their debt ratios without debt restructuring. With more than 60 debt reduction episodes (defined as periods of two or more years during which the public debt-to-GDP ratio fell), the probability that a country will experience such an episode in any given year…

When during an African Tech Roundup Podcast chat I suggest Paratus Namibia's 5G ambitions might threaten mobile carriers, managing director Andrew Hall doesn't deflect. He grins. "Connectivity is a commodity, prices are going down, you need to make up for that revenue in other spaces," he states plainly with a chuckle. After over 22 years building networks across Namibia, Hall's experience has led him to conclude that long-term commercial sustainability requires poaching customers from adjacent industries. His fibre company wants mobile subscribers. Banks want payment customers. Mobile operators want banking clients. The territorial boundaries that once defined the telecoms industry are collapsing. Namibian market lab Namibia offers a singular testing ground for this theory. With vast distances between sparse population centres, conventional infrastructure economics barely function. At 825 000 square…

South32 will report an impairment from its Mozal Aluminium Smelter in Mozambique due to a inability to negotiate a new electricity agreement over a six-year period. The announcement appeared to send South32’s share price reeling on Monday, with its price down by 5.8% to R34.42. A year ago, the share was trading at R44.75. South32 said in a statement on Monday that its production guidance from the plant was under review, and an associated impairment expense would be recognised in the 2025 financial results. Electricity is supplied to Mozal under an agreement that expires in March 2026. Historically, the majority of electricity for Mozal has been generated in Mozambique by the hydro-electric power generator, Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB), owned by the Mozambique government. Under the agreement, electricity from Eskom…

Even though we cherish those long school holidays, sometimes as parents we secretly count down the days until routines return. Holidays can be magical, but the reality is they’re not always a break for us adults. The pressure to keep kids happy, stimulated, and not glued to screens can feel like a full-time job, one that comes without sick leave. But here’s the good news: it’s possible to keep kids engaged, curious and thriving without over-scheduling every moment or burning yourself out. And you don’t need a massive budget, Pinterest-worthy crafts, or a live-in nanny to make it work. Here’s your guide to surviving (and even enjoying) the school holidays sanity intact. 1. Start with self-care, it’s not selfish, it’s survival No one can pour from an empty cup. The…

Police have not ruled out the possibility of more arrests as their investigation continues into the tragic murder of 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek. This comes as Tiffany Nicole Meek, the 31-year-old mother of Jayden-Lee, appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court yesterday on charges of murder, crimen injuria, and defeating the ends of justice following her arrest on Friday. Meek wept uncontrollably in the dock during her court appearance for her son's murder. She told the court that she intends to appoint a new attorney after her initial legal representativefailed to appear. She is set to return to court for her bail application on Friday.She remains in custody. In May, Jayden-Lee’s mysterious murder sparked anger and residents of Fleurhof and surrounding areas marched to the Florida police station to demand justice.…

The government has been warned to act swiftly in addressing the needs of military veterans, or it risks those veterans becoming mercenaries, which could threaten social security and peace. This was the warning issued by the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, Dakota Legoete, during recent budget discussions on the Department of Defence. He outlined several shortcomings within the defence sector that he believed posed a threat to the state of the nation. Legoete stated that the country has been struggling to finalise the database of military veterans for the past 14 years. The issue of military veterans has been a challenging subject for the country. On numerous occasions, individuals claiming to be military veterans have protested, demanding opportunities in various municipalities. A few years ago,…

The deadline is fast approaching to apply for one of the 5 500 SAPS trainee posts. The SAPS has officially launched its e-Recruitment drive, giving youth aged 18 to 35 until July 18, 2025, to apply. This new system means no paperwork, no queues — just an online application. The shift to a digital platform is expected to reduce paperwork, curb corruption and nepotism, and prevent lost applications. It will also enhance fairness, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and improve the integrity and speed of the recruitment process. Qualifying young men and women without criminal records and/or pending criminal cases can apply by visiting www.saps.gov.za/careers then select the e-Recruitment portal from the drop down menu. The SAPS will also run a targeted recruitment process to identify candidates with specialised skills or qualifications -…

We need protection. We need justice. We need change. Last Sunday, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi shook the country when he stood before the media and highlighted the existence of criminal syndicates operating inside our law enforcement structures. He demonstrated that optics matter. What followed from the Union Buildings was a response that felt too calm, given the moment’s urgency. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation a week later was measured and careful. He announced the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the infiltration of law enforcement and the wider criminal justice system. He placed Minister Senzo Mchunu on leave. And he promised accountability. For millions of South Africans who live under the rule of fear, violence, and economic desperation every day, this announcement has to become more than…

Australia’s Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii said yesterday the prospect of facing the British and Irish Lions had inspired him to switch from rugby league last year. The 21-year-old wing, who was man-of-the-match on debut for the Wallabies against England at Twickenham in November, said that playing against the Lions would eclipse his achievement of playing in rugby league’s fierce State of Origin rivalry. “Yeah, that was probably the biggest carrot for myself,” he said, ahead of Saturday’s first Test in Brisbane. “These are the biggest games, they happen only every 12 years, so that was probably the biggest thing coming across.” Suaalii said he had been inspired by the two tries scored by another rugby league convert, Israel Folau, in the opening Test of the 2013 series, the last time the Lions…

Richards Bay chairman Sfiso “Jomo” Biyela has moved to quash ongoing speculation about alleged interference in team selection at the KwaZulu-Natal-based club, insisting that management is only interested in results, not control. The outspoken club boss was addressing media at the unveiling of the club’s new signings ahead of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign when he took the opportunity to speak on a narrative that has long followed not only Richards Bay, but several clubs in the league. Biyela’s comments come after a turbulent three-year spell in the top flight that has seen the Natal Rich Boyz rotate through a carousel of coaches. Since their promotion, the likes of Pitso Dladla, Vasili Manousakis, Kaitano Tembo, Vusumuzi Vilakazi and Brandon Truter have all had stints either as head coaches or in…

Telkom Netball League Division 1 leaders the Golden Fireballs kept up their prefect start to the competition when Power Week 3 tipped off at the Durban ICC yesterday. The Gauteng team coached by Dr Elsje Jordaan, assisted by Proteas legend Bongi Msomi, thumped the Eastern Cape Aloes 64-40. The teams were neck and neck early in the first quarter as they traded goals with the score tied at 13-all. But the Fireballs pulled away in the second quarter and led 28-22 at half-time. Sharp shooter Star goal shooter Owethu “Sammy” Ngubane was at the heart of all that was good about the Gauteng team’s play, with a number of intercepts in midcourt disrupting the Aloes’ play. She was also clinical with her shooting in the goal circle with goal shooter…

The Department of Agriculture has confirmed a new outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) at a commercial farm located in Moqhaka Local Municipality, part of the Kroonstad State Veterinary area in the Free State. The situation arises as the region battles against a series of ongoing outbreaks across the country. On 10 July, authorities confirmed the outbreak, which led to the immediate placement of the affected farm under quarantine. The department on Monday said stringent control measures have been implemented, including enhanced surveillance and vaccination exercises to curb any potential spread of the disease, in response to the crisis. It said trace-back activities were currently underway to identify the source of the infection, with additional precautions taken to monitor farms within a 10-kilometre radius. This proactive approach aims not…

The stock market has learned to love President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Wall Street revolted in April after the president unveiled plans for the highest US import taxes in more than a century. Stocks lost nearly 12% of their value in less than a week, while the rate on the 30-year Treasury bond made its biggest jump since 1982. The financial market gyrations caused the president to back off and pause the tariffs to open a 90-day negotiating window. The weeks that followed were a blur of tariff attacks, retreats and confusion emanating from the White House. But since its early April low, the S&P 500 has shrugged off its disquiet over trade policy to gain an astonishing 26%. The president has celebrated the market rebound as validation of his disruptive…

South African healthcare leaders are outpacing their global counterparts when it comes to adopting artificial intelligence, particularly in clinical decision-making and exploring the potential of generative AI. Nearly two-thirds of these leaders have already rolled out remote patient monitoring solutions across a range of critical care areas, including mental health (62%), post-operative recovery (56%), pre-operative preparation (55%), chronic disease management (55%), and elderly care (55%). While emerging care delivery models and advanced technologies like artificial intelligence are transforming the healthcare landscape, enduring challenges must still be overcome to ensure patients receive high-quality care. AI Amid Workforce and Infrastructure Struggles Though the South African healthcare system is undergoing pivotal transformation, the sector stands between the promise of innovation and the pressure of persistent systemic challenges. While new care delivery models and…

Big tobacco industry players in South Africa believe the government can speed up transition towards less harmful products and effectively end trade in illicit cigarettes with better regulatory and policy attention to bad practices across the sector. Tobacco cigarette manufacturers British American Tobacco South Africa (Batsa) and Polaris Manufacturing (formerly Gold Leaf Tobacco Corporation) last week traded accusations of fueling trade in illicit tobacco cigarettes through under-pricing and imports. This comes despite the industry touting new tobacco products such as pouches and e-cigarettes as key in reducing the harm caused by combustion cigarettes. The South African tobacco industry appears to be pulling in the same direction in demanding a conducive regulatory and policy framework, including favourable and separate taxation for new tobacco cigarettes. They say this will unlock fresh investments…

No further progress can be made in implementing the Business Rescue Plan without additional funding from the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT), Messrs. Anoosh Rooplal and Juanito Damons, the business rescue practitioner (BRPs) of the SA Post Office (Sapo) said on Monday in an update. Because of this, the BRPs are consulting with their legal advisors regarding the company’s potential exit from business rescue and the subsequent return of the company to its shareholder, the DCDT, along with a new appointed board. Sapo was placed under business rescue on July 10, 2023 to avoid liquidation. They said in an affidavit that they would award funding to the process, which would encompass funding of a first tranche of R2.4 billion (which was received and used for retrenchments packages) and…

The suspension of embattled Police Minister Senzo Mchunu will further cost taxpayers due to double pay. President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed an executive outsider to hold the fort as acting police minister. Ramaphosa announced the appointment of Professor Firoz Chachalia as acting police minister, effective August, while Mchunu remains on paid leave. Mchunu will be taking a leave of absence from his official duties following serious allegations levelled against him by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya of corruption, political interference, and drug cartel involvement during a media briefing last Sunday. Central to the controversy is the disbandment of the political killings task team and the freezing…

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, has warned that the world is rapidly running out of time to meet critical sustainability and climate targets and called for accelerated, coordinated global action. Speaking at the recent G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) meeting in Skukuza, Kruger National Park, Singh stressed the urgency of delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and broader climate objectives. “We are less than five years away from our deadline to achieving the SDGs and the end of this critical decade for climate action,” he said. “Yet we are still far from attaining these goals and action targets.” According to the Sustainable Development Goals: Country Report 2023 prepared by Statistics South Africa, South Africa's progress towards meeting the SDGs is mixed.…

South Africa is grappling with a severe shortage of intensive-care unit (ICU) beds in the public healthcare sector, with as few as five ICU beds per 100 000 people at best — and in some provinces, the figure is closer to just one bed per 100 000. This is according to Professor Fathima Paruk, head of the Department of Critical Care Services and Emergency Medicine at the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Health Sciences. Speaking during a recent address titled “Carpe Diem: Achieving Efficient and Fair Allocation of Critical Care Across South Africa,” Paruk described the ICU bed crisis as a “complex challenge.” “Hospitals are going to need more and more ICU beds because patients are living longer. ICU can save lives, and when patients live longer, they have more…

Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini was conferred with two honours, the African Impact and the Humanitarian Impact awards, at the African Achievers 2025 Awards which was held in the United Kingdom at the weekend. The awards ceremony took place in London. According to its website, the awards celebrate "the visionaries, innovators, and change-makers who are shaping the future of Africa”. The African Impact Award recognises outstanding leadership in promoting cultural identity, national unity, and regional development. The Humanitarian Impact Award honours dedication to uplifting communities, protecting indigenous knowledge systems, and advancing human dignity. The king also visited a museum in London which houses artefacts related to the historic Battle of Isandlwana. The Zulu royal spokesperson, who accompanied the king, stated that while still in the country, the king took an opportunity…

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca declared his side’s 3-0 triumph over Paris Saint-Germain in Sunday’s Fifa Club World Cup final as meaningful as winning the Uefa Champions League, after clinching the title in commanding fashion at the MetLife Stadium. “I have the feeling that this competition is going to be as important, if not more important, than the Champions League,” said Maresca, who only joined the club a year ago. The Italian added the trophy to the Uefa Conference League Chelsea won in May. Previously part of Pep Guardiola’s staff during Manchester City’s 2023 Champions League victory, Maresca said this new competition – featuring the top clubs from across the globe – should be valued at the same level. “It is a great triumph for us and it will allow the…

Cobus Wiese is focused on keeping his head down and working harder to get one more Springbok cap after making his debut this past weekend against Italy in Gqeberha. The utility forward, along with his brother Jasper, became the 37th pair of brothers to play for the world champions. However, Jasper copped a silly red card for a headbutt in the 21st minute of the 45-0 victory, which prevented the two from playing together. Cobus (28) felt for his brother and supported him afterwards, but after getting that first cap after a rocky journey to the top, the Bulls forward wants to keep grinding to stay in contention for South Africa. He, alongside Sharks centre Ethan Hooker and Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, made their debut off the bench at the…

Fernando Alonso believes Aston Martin is undergoing a learning curve under the influence of legendary designer Adrian Newey, who joined the Silverstone-based team earlier this year as Managing Technical Partner. As Aston Martin looks to bounce back from a disappointing start to the 2025 Formula 1 season, Alonso has revealed how Newey’s presence is already beginning to reshape the team’s internal processes and long-term vision. Newey, who left Red Bull Racing after decades of championship success, began working with Aston Martin in March. Known as one of the greatest technical minds in F1 history, his arrival is seen as a major coup for the team aiming to become a consistent front-runner under the upcoming 2026 regulations. Alonso, speaking during the British GP weekend, opened up about his early interactions with…