Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-07-16 i Mercury

Eskom's announcement regarding the delay in the return to service of Koeberg Unit 1 has raised significant interest as the power utility confirmed the discovery of defects in the steam generator tubes. This critical setback extends the unit’s downtime by a month, but Eskom is insisting that the necessary repairs have been meticulously completed to adhere to the highest safety and quality standards. In a detailed update on Monday, Eskom disclosed that during scheduled eddy current inspections—a non-destructive testing method used to identify potential failures—defects were detected in four tubes out of several thousand inspected across two of Koeberg’s newly installed steam generators. Eskom’s head of generation, Bheki Nxumalo, assured the public that specialised international teams have collaborated with local experts to address these issues immediately. "Eskom immediately carried out…

The Deputy Minister for Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele, has advocated for an independent system to review the National Treasury's decisions regarding urgent funding requirements. This call to action follows the controversial rejection by Treasury of a R3.8 billion proposed rescue package intended for the beleaguered South African Post Office (Sapo), which Gungubele on Tuesday argued had successfully navigated the business rescue process. "I wish there would be an independent system that scrutinises that. In our view, with all the calculations we have made, if we were to talk about cost-benefit analysis, had that R3.8bn been paid, a lot would have been saved rather than lost," Gungubele told the Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts on Tuesday. "But it is the thing of Treasury. I am saying I wish…

MC Mining’s share price surged 6.15% after it announced a revised turnaround strategy for its Uitkomst Colliery subsidiary. The share price shot up by 6.15% to R1.38 on Tuesday morning. A year ago, the share price was trading at R1.73. In a statement on the JSE’s news service the company’s directors said the turnaround plan will see significant operational changes that position the colliery for a future growth phase. Uitkomst Colliery, located in Kwazulu-Natal, is part of MC Mining's strategy of supporting South Africa's Steel Master Plan, whilst itself, becoming a significant regional supplier of steelmaking coal products. Uitkomst produces, for the steel industry, pulverized coal injection (PCI) and for the South African manufacturing industry, specialized, high quality-sized coal products, both of which reduce input costs and provide the domestic…

If you spend any time on social media, you’ve probably noticed a shift. The same platforms that once glorified the “BBL body”, those dramatic, hourglass curves, are now buzzing with a different narrative: the “BBL reversal”. From TikTok confessions about the “BBL smell” to celebrities and influencers dissolving their fillers and slimming down, there’s a growing curiosity (and urgency) around why so many are choosing to reverse one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries of the last decade. As Professor Chrysis Sofianos, a consultant plastic surgeon, shared with Independent Media Lifestyle, This isn’t just a fleeting trend, it’s a cultural moment that invites us all to rethink what body confidence really means. “The exaggerated curves made famous by celebrities in the late 2010s are giving way to a more athletic,…

The Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, on Monday ordered Meta to shut down several anonymous Instagram accounts and WhatsApp channels, which are distributing explicit child pornography depicting South African school children. Judge Mudunwazi Makamu also ruled that Meta had to, before noon yesterday, furnish The Digital Law Company (DLC) with all information in its possession pertaining to the creator(s) of the WhatsApp channels and Instagram profiles listed in the urgent application. Rorke Wilson of The Digital Law Company yesterday said as the matter was heard on Monday evening, the deadline for Meta to shut down the accounts and channels was set to be midnight on Monday. “However, Meta has not complied with any of the demands and all the deadlines have passed,” Wilson said, adding that they are now contemplating next…

Public confidence in the South African Police Service (SAPS) has plummeted to a record low, according to new findings by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), sparking renewed calls for urgent structural reforms, depoliticisation of senior appointments, and stronger accountability mechanisms. Released as part of the HSRC’s 21st round of the South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS), the data reveals that only 22% of South Africans expressed trust in the police in 2022, with confidence levels in 2023 and 2024/25 remaining virtually unchanged. These are the lowest figures recorded in 27 years. The study shows that public trust in SAPS has been on a steady decline since the late 1990s, with significant drops following the Marikana massacre in 2012 and the July 2021 social unrest. Despite a slight rebound around…

The purpose of credit regulation must be seen as encouraging good faith engagement and promoting consumer rehabilitation, not as punishing transient defaults that have been remedied. This was the message of the Pietermaritzburg High Court in an application by BMW Financial Services (applicant) in which they wanted to repossess a vehicle, as they claimed the owner had fallen in arrears with his monthly payment. The financial service provider wanted a summary judgment to be issued against Ndlangisa Funeral Services and its owner, Lungisani Ndlangisa (the respondents). A summary judgment is a request for a court to rule in favour of one party without a full trial. This is usually when the court finds that there are no genuine disputes. But by the time the application had been served before the…

Although money is essential for political participation, non-transparent funding could allow affluent vested interests to exert undue, disproportionate, or even criminal influence on politics and policymaking. Global anti-corruption organisation Transparency International (TI) revealed this in its Standards for Integrity in Political Finance publication. The standards are a holistic set of measures that describe the effort needed to mitigate corruption risks and promote the integrity of, at a minimum, the financing of national-level political parties and election campaigns. Political parties and candidates require financial and other resources to organise themselves, formulate their ideas, and communicate them to the public. However, according to Transparency International, unchecked or opaque funding can allow affluent vested interests to exert undue, disproportionate, or even criminal influence on politics and policymaking. This lack of transparency and controls…

Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, the deputy national commissioner for crime detection, has been requested to take a leave of absence, as tensions within the South African Police Service (SAPS) escalate following serious allegations regarding his conduct. National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola confirmed yesterday that Sibiya was served with documents directing him to stay at home. “It’s a leave of absence while we are doing internal processes...It’s an investigation on what has been alleged,” Masemola told the media. This unexpected directive comes in the wake of shocking claims made two weeks ago by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi accused Sibiya of being part of an alleged plot, along with Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, to disband the KZN political killings task team that has been at the centre of recent law enforcement…

Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis believes the defending champions are once again walking a familiar path towards potential Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) success — one built on calculated changes, squad trust, and tournament experience. Speaking after her side’s emphatic 4-0 dismantling of Mali, Ellis explained how the current campaign mirrors their title-winning 2022 run — particularly in the way the squad has been managed. “After the first win against Ghana, we did the same thing we did in 2022 after beating Nigeria — we made changes for the next game,” she said. “We didn’t play well but got the results, and that’s what we’re doing in this tournament as well. It’s about keeping the players fresh.” Ellis made several halftime changes against Mali in Monday’s final Group…

The Junior Springboks are one hurdle away from lifting the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy. After beating fellow Southern Hemisphere side Argentina 48-24, they will face New Zealand’s U20s in the final on Saturday in Rovigo. The Junior All Blacks beat France in the other semi to advance. The two sides recently played an exciting match in Gqeberha in the U20 Rugby Championship, so this final will be another humdinger between the teams. It is South Africa’s first final since 2014 and they have a few things to fix, like the 16 penalties they conceded, ahead of the clash. “They are desperate to do well on Saturday for the Springbok and for the country,” head coach Kevin Foote said after the victory over Argentina. “We are full of belief…

Mzwandile Petros suspended over potential misconduct linked to R1 billion tender The Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) has temporarily suspended its Group Executive for Enterprise Security and Compliance, Mzwandile Petros, amid growing concerns over potential misconduct linked to a R1 billion tender for Smart Security screening equipment. The suspension, announced over the weekend, follows alarming allegations suggesting manipulation of the X-ray screening contract, which allegedly left the OR Tambo International Airport vulnerable without a tactical response team. Inside sources told Business Report that Petros was instrumental in the now backfiring decision made in March to termine contracts with all security providers, including Bidvest, Fidelity, Mafoko, Eagle Eye, Venus Securitas, and G4S in a bid to insource its security requirements by July, which failed due to lack of capacity and a…

The Green Connection, a South African non-profit organisation focused on environmental and social justice, said on Tuesday it notes with deep concern and surprise the recent approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Shell’s proposed Northern Cape Ultra Deep (NCUD) oil and gas exploration project. Shell has been granted environmental authorisation to drill up to five deep-water wells off South Africa's west coast, the company said on Friday, Reuters reported. The oil major applied for authorisation last year and plans to drill exploration or appraisal wells in the Northern Cape Ultra Deep Block in the Orange Basin, at water depths ranging between 2 500 metres and 3 200 metres. Block NCUD is located off the West Coast of South Africa, roughly between Port Nolloth and Saldanha Bay. This approval…

The spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in South Africa has sparked renewed concern among agricultural associations following an alarming announcement from the Department of Agriculture on Monday. The latest outbreak was confirmed on a commercial farm in the Moqhaka Local Municipality, Kroonstad, Free State, marking a significant expansion of an already troubling situation for the country’s agricultural sector. Reported on July 10, 2025, the new outbreak saw the affected property placed under immediate quarantine on July 8, and stringent control measures were implemented swiftly. This development follows earlier announcements that disease management areas in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo would be lifted due to successful containment efforts. However, the optimism surrounding these areas is rapidly overshadowed by the resurgence of FMD in a new locality. As of July…

Last month, Cape Town hosted the Africa Energy Forum (AEF) for the first time in its 27-year history – a significant milestone for South Africa’s growing role in shaping the continent’s energy future. As the global investment meeting for Africa’s power, energy, infrastructure and industrial sectors, AEF brought together heads of state, ministers, policymakers, utilities, development finance institutions (DFIs) and private sector stakeholders. While the forum celebrated just how rapidly South Africa’s energy market is maturing, it also highlighted the critical work that is still required to unlock its full potential. The industry’s maturity is reflected in the growing number of trading licences being issued, as the sector shifts towards a competitive wholesale trading environment. South Africa’s public procurement programme continues to serve as a blueprint for success, underpinned by…

Professor Firoz Cachalia, whose family roots are in Benoni, has been appointed acting Minister of Police by President Cyril Ramaphosa. He undoubtedly has the credentials to stabilise a critical state institution. It is heartbreaking to watch as our country is torn apart by mindless violence. The massacre and murder of innocent people graphically illustrate that our rainbow nation has become a killing zone, and respect and fear for the law are non-existent. While we remain a democracy, we seem intent on striking out at the democratic values that have enabled us to survive against the odds. But the spirit of Ubuntu has never been more alive than now. No democracy can allow such violence. No civilised society can tolerate such wanton disregard for human lives, and no state can accept…

THE KwaZulu-Natal Transport department, Transnet and the eThekwini Municipality are being sued for more than R339 million due to the deadly floods in 2022 that caused extensive destruction to a business premises in Durban. The three entities have been named as defendants in a lawsuit filed by the insurer of Caxton and CTP Publishers and Printers Limited (Caxton), which suffered significant damage at its Prospecton premises during the floods. The lawsuit, a subrogated recovery action, where the insurer steps into the shoes of the insured and directs the litigation, has been filed in the Durban High Court under the name of Caxton on behalf of the insurer. Several companies in the southern part of Durban experienced extensive damage during the floods, prompting their insurers to take legal action to recover…

mercury correspondent Eskom has assured the public that the extended outage of Koeberg Nuclear Power Station’s Unit 1 will not increase the risk of loadshedding during the current winter period. The utility had initially planned for Unit 1 to return to service in July, but it is now scheduled to be back online by the end of August due to additional maintenance work. Eskom stressed that this delay poses no threat to grid stability. “The revised return date for Koeberg Unit 1 will not increase the risk of loadshedding,” Eskom said. “The Winter Outlook released on 5 May 2025 remains valid.” Eskom explained that even in the event of unplanned outages rising to 15 000 megawatts (MW), loadshedding would be limited to a maximum of 21 days over the 153-day…

India's Fauja Singh, believed to be the world's oldest distance runner, has died in a road accident aged 114, his biographer said yesterday. Singh, an Indian-born British national, nicknamed the "Turbaned Tornado", died after being hit by a vehicle in Punjab state's Jalandhar district on Monday. "My Turbaned Tornado is no more," Fauja's biographer Khushwant Singh wrote on X. "He was struck by an unidentified vehicle... in his village, Bias, while crossing the road. Rest in peace, my dear Fauja." Singh did not have a birth certificate, but his family said he was born on April 1, 1911. He ran full marathons (42 kilometres) till the age of 100. His last race was a 10-kilometre (six-mile) event at the 2013 Hong Kong Marathon 101, where he finished in one hour,…

Durban and Soweto residents and non-governmental organisations took to the streets yesterday in support of KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. In Durban, supporters of Mkhwanazi marched from Curries Fountain to Hoy Park to deliver a memorandum, calling for the police commissioner’s protection. This march followed his recent media briefing, which has lifted the lid on alleged deep-rooted corruption within the SAPS. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, who signed and accepted the memorandum in Durban, called for society to allow the commission on inquiry set up by President Cyril Ramaphosa time to do its work. "Let’s continue with our lives, but at the same time, let’s work with the police. Crime fighting will continue, not only in this province, but the rest of the country. We will continue…

The country’s eight metropolitan municipalities have shared nearly R17 billion in general fuel levy revenue while the increase in the levy, which was announced by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, is still subject to legal action by the EFF. The City of Johannesburg received the lion’s share of the allocation with just under R4.6bn, eThekwini got about R3.9bn, and Cape Town was allocated R2.85bn in 2024/25, according to a notice published by Godongwana last week. Ekurhuleni’s share is almost R1.8bn and the City of Tshwane received about R1.67bn. Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City in the Eastern Cape were allocated R862 million and R798m, respectively, while Mangaung got R427.5m. In terms of the Taxation Laws Amendment Act, an amount equal to a fixed percentage of revenue raised from the collection of…

On Sunday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of yet another commission – this time to investigate the failings of law enforcement agencies. But South Africans have every right to ask: Did no one in the Union Buildings remind him that we already spent over R2 billion on the Zondo Commission to uncover exactly this? The Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, chaired by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, spent nearly four years documenting how corruption hollowed out our public institutions – and how law enforcement and intelligence agencies were deliberately weakened to enable it. Zondo’s report didn’t simply expose corruption. It laid bare how SAPS, the NPA, and the State Security Agency (SSA) were systematically captured to protect looters and punish whistleblowers. This wasn’t just administrative failure – it…

IN his first engagement with the media since being appointed Proteas all-format coach, Shukri Conrad made it clear that George Linde is one of three frontline spinners as they build for the T20 World Cup in India next year. Alongside Linde, there is 23-year-old leg-spinner Nqaba Peter and slow left-arm orthodox Senuran Muthusamy, with the trio being given opportunities to stake a claim for a spot in the full-strength Proteas side that will travel to India next year. Linde and Peter started well in the ongoing Tri-Series in Harare as they picked up four wickets between them, helping the Proteas seal a five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe on Monday. Having been backed by Conrad, Linde highlighted that he now plays with freedom. “We (with Conrad) had a good conversation a month…

Mining activity in South Africa rebounded slightly in May and ended a six-month streak of contraction, buoyed by a double-digit production expansion of iron ore. Data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Tuesday revealed that mining production rose by 0.2% year-on-year in May, rebounding slightly after a sharp 7.7% decline in April. Stats SA’s principal service statistician, Jean-Pierre Terblanche, said the rise was mainly driven by iron ore, which expanded by 12.5%, adding 1.7 percentage points to overall mining growth. The increase in platinum group metals (PGMs) output in May is more a base effect, following production disruptions in April. Moreover, gold, chromium ore, nickel and other metallic minerals added a further 0.8 of a percentage point (combined) to the headline number. “Nickel, diamonds, chromium ore, cobalt, and gold…

Tesla unveiled its first showroom in India on Tuesday, marking its entry into the world's most populous country, as Elon Musk's electric vehicle company seeks new customers amid sagging sales in the United States and Europe. The store opened its doors in India's financial capital Mumbai to select visitors after its inauguration by Maharashtra state's chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. The company - which is targeting a niche but quickly growing electric vehicle market in India - said that it was currently offering its Model Y car in India and would look to start rolling out deliveries of a cheaper variant later this quarter. "This is the first launch of Tesla in India. It marks a huge milestone for Tesla globally," said Isabel Fan, the company's senior regional director, adding that…

On Friday, the 27th June, I intently followed the 2025/26 budget vote speech by Minister Dion George of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), hoping to hear a decisive shift in how South Africa intends to confront its growing climate crisis, more critically, through climate adaptation to the irreversible impacts already upon us. The speech presented a vision of environmental stewardship, economic inclusion, and climate resilience. While the speech outlined commendable priorities such as biodiversity conservation, green job creation, and regulatory reforms, it sadly fell short in explicitly prioritising and funding climate adaptation measures with the urgency South Africa’s vulnerabilities demand. While the DFFE’s commitments to mitigation and biodiversity are laudable, adaptation remains underfunded and overshadowed, a critical gap in a country where climate impacts are already…

Like any other iconic fashion piece, Gladiator sandals and pumps have stomped their way back into the fashion scene, and this time, they are trendier than ever. This year’s fashion scene has seen trends like flared jeans and bandage dresses make a comeback, and millennials are rocking these items most fashionably. If you’ve ever owned a pair of Gladiator sandals or pumps, consider yourself an iconic fashionista because you have likely braved the fashion trenches and emerged victorious. These shoes were once very much criticised by many the same way they have been admired. You were either so daring and fashion forward for sporting them, or your fashion sense was definitely questioned. Gladiator sandals Gladiator sandals have their roots in ancient Rome, where they were worn by gladiators, hence the…

President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to place Minister Senzo Mchunu on a leave of absence has been defended by the ANC, which also expressed full confidence in the appointment of Professor Firoz Cachalia as acting Minister of Police. Taking over as acting minister from August, Wits University law professor Cachalia replaces Mchunu, who faces allegations of corruption and malfeasance from KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mchunu was allegedly influenced by individuals outside the police force, specifically controversial Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala and his associate Brown Mogotsi, according to Mkhwanazi. According to Mkhwanazi, a syndicate involving politicians, businesspeople, and officials from law enforcement (police, metro police, correctional services), prosecution, and the judiciary, has been exposed by a police investigation. While ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said that the party welcomed Ramaphosa’s decision to…

The deal signed between the provincial government and an Italian yacht management company could help unlock billions of rand in the province's ocean economy while positioning KwaZulu-Natal as an ideal location for yacht building. This is according to the provincial government which said KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli had signed a landmark agreement with Italian marine industry leader Navigo International. The province has described this as a new era for KZN’s ocean economy. It said the partnership marks a bold step in unlocking the province’s R100 billion maritime potential, leveraging its 820 km coastline, world-class ports, and emerging marine manufacturing sector. The highlights of the agreement include: Superyacht manufacturing hub: KZN to co-develop and export luxury vessels in partnership with NAVIGO, competing with global players like Italy and France. Skills &…

The recently appointed ANC’s Mzala Nxumalo regional task team will have its first political test tomorrow when it seeks to retain ward 23 in a by-election. The ward in Abaqulusi Local Municipality in Vryheid north of KwaZulu-Natal became vacant a few months ago after the death of the ANC councillor. The provincial task team decided to remove all regional executive committee members except chairperson Sbu Mhlongo when it appointed the regional task team two weeks back. Mhlongo too was relegated to the deputy convener’s position and the party brought back little known Thokozani Myeni to head the team as convener. Myeni, a former member of Parliament was a treasurer in the leadership whose term expired in 2022. Myeni’s task team will try to ward off uMkhonto weSizwe Party and the…

For Chelsea, victory in Sunday’s Club World Cup decider completed a fine first season under Enzo Maresca, and also finally brought the curtain down on a marathon campaign that they must hope does not catch up with them down the line. The Cole Palmer-inspired 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain at the MetLife Stadium outside New York was Chelsea’s 64th game of a season which lasted 11 months. By any measure it was one of Chelsea's best ever campaigns, with their Club World Cup triumph - placed on a par by Maresca to winning the Champions League - following victory in the Uefa Conference League and a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League. Maresca, an ex-assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, could not have asked for much more after arriving…

The Springboks have rolled the dice with an uncapped front row and an experimental selection of Cobus Wiese at eighth man as they have one more match against Georgia on Saturday to try players in certain positions ahead of the Rugby Championship. Wiese will take over the role his brother, Jasper, played on Saturday for about 22 minutes before he was red-carded. Usually, Erasmus would have at least one experienced front-rower mixed with youngsters, but he took a calculated risk in handing tighthead Neethling Fouché, loosehead Boan Venter, and hooker Marnus van der Merwe their debuts in a much-changed matchday squad. They will have the experience of Eben Etzebeth behind them, with the centurion lock joined by Pieter-Steph du Toit and returning captain Siya Kolisi among the forwards. Kolisi is…

Former Top Gear Presenter Jeremy Clarkson has offered ex Red Bull boss Christian Horner a shoulder to cry on after he was sacked as Team principal last week. Clarkson, in his recent column for The Sun, suggested that he could relate to what Horner is going through as he experienced the same fate at the BBC. Clarkson was fired from Top Gear after he punched producer, Oisin Tymon, on the show. Both men have also been involved in their respective “games” since the early 2000s, with Horner joining Red Bull in 2005 while Clarkson was with Top Gear since 2002. Clarkson said he expects Horner to still have a successful future, post Red Bull. "I sent him a text after the news of his dismissal broke, pointing out that I’ve…

LAST year’s losing finalists, the Gauteng Jaguars, secured a crucial 63-51 victory over the North West Flames in Power Week 3 of the Telkom Netball League at the Durban ICC yesterday afternoon, as the battle for the semi-final places heated up. The record six-times winners, who are coached by Rozanne Mathysse, came into the final week of SA’s premier netball competition in fourth place, with the Flames one position above them. The win cemented their push for a play-off place but dented the chances of Elsunet du Plessis’ charges, who face a battle for the final play-off spot with the Southern Stings. The Flames had the hotter start in a cagey first quarter where star Jaguars goal attack Kamogelo Maseko struggled to get going. Her usually telepathic link with goal…