Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-12-04 i Mercury

The Central Energy Fund (CEF) says it is preparing to absorb fuel infrastructure and other assets from global oil companies that are scaling down operations in South Africa, as part of its strategy to secure national fuel supply and strengthen its downstream footprint. Acting Group CEO Sifiso Msabala told Parliament that several oil majors, including Shell, have approached the State-Owned Entity with proposals to offload assets as they retreat from the local market. "We have a very clear understanding of how the majors have been behaving in wanting to sell in that space. A number of them are offloading their assets. The State cannot be caught in a situation where the assets are not attended to as we will be the last resort for fuel," Msabala said. "Some of…

South Africa has just come through its most demanding tourism year since the 2010 FIFA World Cup as Johannesburg hosted the G20 Summit. The event brought heads of state, ministerial teams, security units, media crews and technical staff to the country, who depend on reliable logistics and high-quality service, which placed real pressure on hospitality, tourism and events businesses that must deliver at a global standard while managing the usual seasonal peaks. Consider the magnitude of the G20 as an operation; delegations travelled with specialist staff, protocol requirements, and strict security expectations. As such, hotels had to balance full occupancy with seamless guest handling, conference venues had to deliver consistent technical and service execution, and restaurants and travel companies had to accommodate fluctuating demand while maintaining speed and accuracy. This…

The South African Poultry Association’s (SAPA) renewed call for chicken to be zero-rated for VAT has drawn mixed reactions from economists and industry analysts, as pressure mounts to ease the burden of rising food prices on low-income households. SAPA confirmed that it has formally submitted a proposal to the National Treasury, requesting the removal of the 15% value-added tax (VAT) on chicken in the 2026 National Budget in February. CEO of SAPA’s Broiler Organisation, Izaak Breitenbach, said on Wednesday that the proposal follows Treasury’s call for submissions after a parliamentary committee last year recommended expanding the list of VAT-exempt basic foodstuffs. "At present, tinned pilchards are the only meat protein zero-rated for VAT, with the remaining proteins on the list limited to plant-based or dairy options," he said. "These alternatives…

A concerning trend has emerged within South Africa's small business sector as a new report revealed that 67% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) plan to raise prices by up to 10% over the next six months. This shift is largely a response to relentless operational cost pressures, posing significant challenges for the sustainability of these businesses in an increasingly volatile economic environment. The latest Small Business Growth Index (SBGI) report, based on a comprehensive survey of more than 2,000 SMEs, highlights the precarious state of the sector, indicating that fewer than four out of ten of these businesses believe they can withstand the current pressures for more than a year without external support. The SBGI was launched earlier this year through a collaborative effort between Absa Business Banking, the…

The African Rail Industry Association (ARIA) has hailed the R3.4 billion investment in locomotive production by Traxtion as a move that will enable competitive and open-access rail network, and reinforce Transnet’s capacity to support national targets. Traxtion on Tuesday announced that the investment, part of a broader R5bn private-sector commitment made at the launch of the National Rail Policy in 2022, will help expand freight capacity and accelerate sector reforms. The programme includes R1.8bn for locomotives and R1.6bn for wagons, with a minimum 60% local content requirement. Construction and deployment are expected to create 662 direct jobs. ARIA on Wednesday said the investment represents the largest private freight rail commitment in South Africa’s history and provides “definitive validation” of government’s reform efforts. The association said it offers tangible relief for…

MUNICIPALITIES and freight sector have warned that many KwaZulu-Natal roads are in poor condition, adding that further delays in maintenance could have a devastating impact on the economy, tourism and public safety. The warning comes after the KZN Department of Transport cautioned that budget cuts and unfunded mandates are draining the department's budget, forcing it to “rob Peter to pay Paul.” Three municipalities have spoken about the state of road infrastructure in their areas, with two indicating concern over the poor state of provincial roads. However, they also acknowledged that the Department of Transport is working hard to improve and maintain road networks in their regions. The department has warned of a nearly R17 billion backlog in road infrastructure. This financial year, the department had to re-prioritise its budget,…

Parliament Speaker Thoko Didiza addressed numerous pressing matters during the 58th SADC Parliamentary Forum Plenary Assembly yesterday, highlighting the significant challenges that tariffs and funding cuts are taking on South Africa’s economy and healthcare system. Didiza opened the discussion by focusing on the harsh realities of tariffs affecting trade within SADC member states. “With regard to the automotive industry, it would be recalled that the US is a major destination for South African automotive exports. Proposed or imposed tariffs (e.g. 25% on vehicles) have led to higher costs and reduced competitiveness for South African-made vehicles in the US market, which could potentially slow demand,” Didiza said. She said the steel and aluminium industries have also been affected by the US tariffs, disrupting global supply chains and increasing manufacturing costs. “This…

Parliament has expressed concern over the rising incidents of threats and intimidation directed at Members of Parliament (MPs) in the course of their duties, calling for urgent action to address growing security risks. The heightened concern follows the hijacking and kidnapping of MK Party MP Vusi Shongwe on November 26. While the latest outcry has emerged amid the work of the Ad Hoc Committee, Parliament noted that similar threats have also been made against MPs serving on the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) and others engaged in oversight activities. Parliament stated that these threats not only endanger the individuals involved but also undermine the legislative process itself. Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo emphasised the gravity of the situation, acknowledging that while MPs have taken steps to report these threats to…

Two men believed to be linked to alleged crime kingpin Katiso “KT” Molefe were arrested outside the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court yesterday after police allegedly found them in possession of two semi-automatic AKM rifles and ammunition without having valid permits to carry the weapons. SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the pair, aged 24 and 36, were acting as bodyguards for an accused person who appeared in court yesterday. While the SAPS has not identified the specific accused they were escorting, sources with direct knowledge of the matter said the men form part of Molefe’s security detail. Molefe was in court as the State seeks to consolidate several high-profile murder, conspiracy and firearms cases against him. According to police, officers conducting operations outside the court searched a vehicle transporting the…

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) intends to resolve the issue of debt owed to the eThekwini Municipality after the disconnection of services to licensing and testing centres in Durban. The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) Rossburgh Licensing and Testing Centre, the RTI Umdloti, and the Department of Transport (DoT) Regional Office had their water and electricity supplies disconnected due to unpaid property rates totalling R520 million. Siboniso Duma, the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, said his department pays its bills on time and explained that the KZN DPWI provides and manages accommodation and integrated property services for provincial government departments. Duma said that the RTI Pinetown Licensing and Testing Centre was also affected and is using a generator to provide back-up power. The following services face…

The Springboks have what amounts to a series of training runs in their 2027 World Cup Pool B matches against Italy, Georgia and Romania, but matters get deadly serious from the quarter-finals onward. As the highly likely winner of Pool B, the Boks are destined to play the winner of Pool A — either New Zealand or Australia — in the quarter-finals, provided they negotiate their way through the new Round of 16 that follows the pool games. This should not be a problem for the top teams because they will play relative minnows in the Round of 16. On current form, it would seem the Boks are on course to play the All Blacks, the opponents they beat in the 2023 final, but a lot can happen over the…

When Fifa president Gianni Infantino first paid a visit to Donald Trump at the White House in 2018, he won over the US president with a gift: an oversized red card, which he jokingly suggested Trump could brandish “whenever you want to kick someone out.” Trump, delighted, wasted no time in flashing the card to the assembled press corps — a gesture that neatly captured his often combative relationship with the media. What seemed a playful exchange between the head of world football and the US leader would prove to be the opening act in one of the most contentious alliances in sport. Tomorrow, Trump and Infantino’s burgeoning bromance will be back on display when they take centre stage at the draw for the 2026 Fifa World Cup in Washington.…

South Africa’s transport and logistics industry has warned of higher operating costs, rising consumer prices and pressure on holiday travel budgets after the government announced steep fuel price increases for December. This comes as both grades of petrol rose by 29 cents per litre on Wednesday, while diesel saw even sharper increases of 65.48 cents per litre for 0.05% sulphur diesel and 82.48 cents per litre for 0.005% sulphur diesel. The timing, coinciding with the height of the festive season, has raised concerns across the logistics, agricultural and labour sectors. Gavin Kelly, CEO of the Road Freight Association (RFA), said that the increase in petrol and diesel at the beginning of December is not a good omen and will have an immediate impact on transporters who purchase fuel daily. “The…

South Africa’s private sector recorded another month of deteriorating business conditions in November, with the S&P Global South Africa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) slipping to 49.0, signalling a second consecutive monthly contraction. Although slightly better than October’s reading of 48.8, the second consecutive month of decline highlights a subdued end to 2025 for the economy. The S&P PMI corresponds with the seasonally adjusted Absa PMI released earlier this week, which showed that sentiment plunged by 7.2 points to 42, its weakest reading in several months and well below the 50-point mark that separates expansion from contraction. According to the S&P survey data collected between November 12–26, firms continued to grapple with reduced output and a shortage of new business, particularly in domestic markets. Activity levels dropped at the fastest rate…

What if the difference between a struggling idea and a thriving venture is not money, not technology, but in fact people? Behind every bold vision lies a network of unseen supporters, collaborators, and co-creators who build alongside the dreamer. Across the world, communities have become the invisible scaffolding that allows ideas to rise, take shape, and withstand the uncertainty that comes with starting something new. Entrepreneurship rarely grows in isolation. From iHub to Co-Creation Hub and 22 On Sloane, we see how spaces that nurture belonging become the heartbeat of innovation. These are not just places to work. They are places where entrepreneurs exchange stories of failure and breakthrough, where collaboration becomes the quiet pulse that keeps ideas alive. In Africa, this sense of togetherness runs even deeper. The continent…

Kaspersky’s detection systems discovered an average of 500 000 malicious files per day in 2025, marking a 7% increase compared to the previous year. Certain types of threats saw growth globally – there was a 59% surge in password stealer detections, a 51% growth in spyware detections, and a 6% growth in backdoor detections compared to 2024. These findings are part of the Kaspersky Security Bulletin series where it reviews the key cybersecurity trends of the past year. Windows remains the primary target for cyberattacks. 48% of users on Windows were targeted by different types of threats throughout 2025. For Mac users, this figure stands at 29%. Web threats Globally, 27% of users were attacked with web threats – these refer to malware that targets users when they are online.…

Sizwe Hosmed Medical Scheme says it has made substantial progress towards long-term stability and financial sustainability of the scheme and its members, with the focus now on building membership over the next few months. This was according to the scheme's Curator Lebogane Mpakati, who said Wednesday that since her appointment, she has been managing the scheme to stabilise operations and to access to healthcare facilities for members. Service providers have been engaged to resolve issues, following industry concerns and healthcare access restrictions for members in the past few months, due to the scheme's financial position. "Within a few months after my appointment, the scheme's members are now able to access more healthcare services across most service providers. Most hospital groups have since reopened access to members, supported by more predictable…

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has slammed a TikTok video circulating online which claims that South Africans of Indian origin “have another country to go to” calling the remarks racist, inflammatory and a direct threat to social cohesion in the province. The video refers to the warm reception that Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi received from Indian South Africans when he attended the G20 Summit in South Africa. According to the Post newspaper, in the video mining entrepreneur Lubabalo Sanqela questioned the loyalty of Indian South Africans. “This reckless and ignorant statement has no place in our democracy and directly undermines the values upon which our nation was founded,” party spokesperson, Fanle Sibisi said. He added that South Africa is a constitutional democracy built on equality, dignity and non-racialism, and…

Civil society movement Equal Education says school infrastructure remains a challenge in South Africa despite the Norms and Standards for School Infrastructure, which were introduced to improve safety, functionality and equality in education. The Norms and Standards for School Infrastructure were established in November 2013 by the Ministry of Basic Education. These regulations provided clear deadlines (November 2016, 2020, 2023 and 2030) indicating when public schools had to be provided with basic infrastructure such as water, electricity, classrooms, toilets, and fencing, among others. It also required that all schools made of inappropriate materials like mud, asbestos, metal or wood be fixed by November 2016. The deadlines were missed, and the new regulations gazetted in May 2024 removed most deadlines and required provincial education departments to submit implementation plans within 90…

The search for victims of the devastating New Hanover floods reached a decisive moment yesterday after two bodies were recovered in the uMshwathi Local Municipality two weeks after a severe storm lashed the area in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, confirmed the discovery of the bodies of the flood victims, describing it as a significant development in the ongoing search and recovery mission. The floods, which battered the area on November 23, damaged several homes and swept away three people. One body was recovered the following day, leaving two still missing. Search operations continued for the two flood victims, leading to the recovery of the bodies yesterday. “This morning, two bodies were discovered in the affected area. Disaster management teams are currently…

UNDER US President Donald Trump, it is no longer debatable that the American empire is irrelevant as a beacon of exemplary and ethical leadership in global affairs today. But this is not entirely new; Trump simply makes the unravelling of American imperialism more dramatic, if not tragic. What perhaps remains unresolved, is how long the American electorate will allow Trump to reduce their country into a paranoid state, an empire of appalling tantrums and ragtag diplomacy. American exceptionalism continues to put the country’s common sense into the deep freeze. As things stand, there is no charitable way to look at Washington beyond the stubborn nightmare of an unbelievably manic and dubious warmongering presidency. When President Cyril Matamala Ramaphosa spoke to the nation on Sunday night, to briefly report on the…

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has revealed he ignores social media to protect himself from abuse, even if it means losing out on lucrative sponsorship contracts. The Portuguese coach has endured a rollercoaster first year in charge at Old Trafford. United finished 15th in the Premier League last season – their worst top-flight campaign since being relegated in 1973/74 – and failed to qualify for European competition. Results have improved slightly in recent weeks, lifting Amorim’s men into seventh place ahead of West Ham’s visit tonight. The 40-year-old said online abuse was now an inevitable part of life for top-level managers, and he avoids social media and punditry shows to shield himself and his family. “I don’t read it. I protect myself,” he told a pre-match press conference on Wednesday.…

As the PNB ladies’ district sides prepare for the quadrangular tournament on 24 and 25 January 2026, leading up to the Inter-District from 9 to 13 March, the five lady selectors — Stella Tweedie (convenor), Maria Dreyer, Shelly Gerber, Delysia Mitchley and Cynthia van der Merwe — reflect on the selection of the sides for 2026. Selecting district sides to represent Port Natal Bowls is never a simple task, and according to the selectors, it involves far more than tallying up competition results. While performance on the green remains the backbone of selection, the process behind assembling strong, cohesive teams is thoughtful, strategic and grounded in experience. The starting point, they explain, is a thorough analysis of performances throughout the previous season and the identification of a 40-member squad who…

There was high drama during Eben Etzebeth’s disciplinary hearing on Tuesday night when the panel could not agree on a length-of-ban verdict, meaning the Bok bruiser will reportedly have to wait until Sunday to hear his fate. After five hours of deliberation on the eye-gouging allegation — the hearing began at 7pm on Tuesday and called it a day at midnight — the panel asked for more time to reach a consensus. This amounted to a hung jury of sorts, which could be good news for the 34-year-old, as there was clearly an argument from some quarters of the panel for a less severe suspension. According to an online news site, there was a major disagreement over the severity of the sanction. Etzebeth was sent off in the seventy-ninth minute…

The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has moved to attach PetroSA’s mothballed Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) refinery in Mossel Bay as the state-owned oil company struggles to settle more than R4.5 billion in unpaid licensing and duty fees. PetroSA executives told Parliament this week that Sars officials arrived at the company’s offices last Tuesday to discuss a repayment plan, followed shortly by a formal notice demanding a response by Friday, 5 December. Failure to comply would allow Sars to proceed with attaching the refinery as security for the debt. Nombulelo Tyandela, PetroSA's chief financial office, said the refinery’s book value, R340 million, falls far short of the amount owed. "Looking at the balance sheet, the refinery is sitting at R340m. We owe Sars R4.5bn. The attachment won't cover sufficiently what they want…

South Africa recorded a welcome rebound in business sentiment in the final quarter of 2025, with the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) rising by five points to 44, its highest level this year and three points above the long-term average. The improvement follows two consecutive quarters of decline and reflects a broad recovery across five of the six sectors surveyed. Only building contractors reported weaker sentiment. RMB said the latest uptick represents a “green shoot” - promising, but still fragile - and stressed that continued structural reform and steady demand will determine whether business confidence strengthens sustainably. According to RMB Chief Economist Isaah Mhlanga, the uptick is not a dramatic shift but marks a “meaningful turn in the right direction”. “The key positive is that the improvement is broad-based. Even…

As December ushers in the festive season, the landscape for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa appears cautiously optimistic, thanks to positive developments in fiscal conditions and consumer spending. Miguel da Silva, Group Executive of Business Banking at TymeBank, provides insights into the factors influencing this encouraging outlook for SMEs as they navigate the end of 2025. The forthcoming review by Moody’s on South Africa’s credit rating, scheduled for 5 December, is a pivotal moment for the economy. Currently rated Ba2, just shy of investment grade, Moody’s will consider the implications of recent credit upgrades performed by S&P Global Ratings, which marked a significant milestone for the country. In November, S&P upgraded South Africa’s foreign currency long-term sovereign rating from BB- to BB and lifted the local currency…

World economic activity will remain “subdued” next year amid trade uncertainty and geopolitical tensions that are restraining investment outside of artificial intelligence and weighing on government finances, a UN agency predicted in a new report. Global growth will weaken this year to 2.6% and maintain that pace in 2026, according to the report released this week by the Geneva-based UN Conference on Trade and Development. After a 2.9% expansion last year, those projections if realized would be 0.4 percentage point lower than the pre-pandemic average. “The global economy and trade have shown resilience during 2024 and 2025,” Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of the United Nations agency, said in an interview. “But the reasons may not be sustainable if we don’t lower uncertainty and we don’t go back to some predictability for…

It’s often said that clothes speak volumes, but in the South African legal system lately, they’ve been positively shouting. Forget the drab image of grey suits and boring ties; a growing trend sees high-profile accused individuals treating court appearances less like a trial and more like a catwalk, turning the dock into a stage for the latest in designer luxury wear. This phenomenon has sparked heated debate. Is it a show of defiance, or simply the inability to tone down a lavish lifestyle that many allege was funded through illicit means? Whatever the reason, these outrageous fashion statements have been making headlines. The most recent display of courtroom couture belongs to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who is facing a serious list of charges, including attempted murder and money laundering, all…

Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi has denied any wrongdoing following allegations that he facilitated donations of vehicles to the municipality from companies linked to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Mkhwanazi has been accused of facilitating the registration of those private vehicles under the municipality’s name and having them fitted with blue lights. He also allegedly entered into two memoranda of understanding for the city with Medicare 24 and CAT VIP Security, companies tied to Matlala, without the consent of the council and city manager. Mkhwanazi told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry yesterday that the city’s senior management team, which included suspended chief of police Isaac Mapiyeye and heads of departments, was aware of the donations Matlala intended to make to the municipality. He testified that his…

The search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 will resume at the end of December, Malaysia’s transport ministry said yesterday, more than a decade after the plane disappeared. The Boeing 777 carrying 239 people vanished from radar screens on March 8, 2014, while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in one of aviation's greatest enduring mysteries. Two-thirds of the passengers were Chinese, while the others included Malaysians, Indonesians and Australians, as well as Indian, American, Dutch and French nationals. Despite the largest search in aviation history, the plane has not been found. Kuala Lumpur said in a statement it “wishes to update that the deep-sea search for (the) missing wreckage of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 will be resuming on 30 December 2025”. Maritime exploration firm Ocean Infinity will be…

The chances of embattled KwaZulu- Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli surviving an Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) sponsored motion of no confidence have been boosted by the backing of the DA. The motion against Ntuli will be debated and voted for in two weeks time in the provincial legislature. In a statement issued by the DA after its special meeting of the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) on Tuesday, the party rejected the motion and guaranteed Ntuli of its support. The party had specifically met to discuss the MKP motion. “The PEC has resolved unanimously to reject the motion as it is an attempt by the MKP to create chaos and instability in the province. Furthermore, the PEC has recognised the immense work that the DA has achieved through our MEC’s, Francois Rodgers…

A trial-within-a-trial to determine the admissibility of evidence obtained from former eThekwini city manager Sipho Nzuza’s cellphone in the R320 million Durban Solid Waste (DSW) fraud case will resume in the new year. The postponement is due to one of the accused citing trauma from the death of his spouse. The State had indicated that it was at a stage in the main trial where it wished to adduce the evidence of documents downloaded from Nzuza's cellphone. However, Nzuza’s lawyers have objected to the seizure of his cellphone, arguing that he did not consent to the police taking it. They contend that the police violated his rights by obtaining the phone under false pretences. The State maintains that Nzuza voluntarily handed his cellphone and password over to the police. This…

As the Nedbank Golf Challenge (NGC) begins this morning at the Gary Player Country Club (GPCC) at Sun City, it will come with a host of new challengers for players. As one of the marquee courses in South Africa, GPCC is continually striving to provide a sterner test for the top golfers in the world. The 2025 edition will be no different, with a number of changes to some of the most well-known holes that may just prove pivotal in determining the outcome of the tournament. In an exclusive interview with Independent Online, NGC tournament director Ken Payet spoke about the changes to the famed layout made alongside Gary Player. “When it comes to the NGC, we’re synonymous with providing both a great spectacle and challenge for the players,” said…

Proteas opening batter Aiden Markram brought up his fourth ODI century in Raipur to lead South Africa to a series-levelling four-wicket victory against India yesterday as the visitors recorded their third-biggest run chase in ODI cricket. Markram (106), after being under a bit of pressure as an opening batter, responded with a statement century in Raipur as he smashed India’s bowlers all around the park to bring up his fourth ODI ton. The 31-year-old struck ten boundaries and four sixes during his 30-over stay at the crease and put South Africa in a good position to chase the 359-run target. The Proteas’ victory wasn’t without a bit of adversity, as they lost Nandre Burger and Tony de Zorzi due to injury, leaving the visitors with only eight wickets to chase…

In a year that will be remembered as a turning point for South African women’s rugby, the Springbok Women have done more than make history — they have captured the imagination of a nation. Their run to the 2025 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals in England, the first in the team’s history, was not just a sporting milestone but a testament to years of belief and determination. For a side that has often battled for resources, attention, and respect, 2025 has become the year in which everything clicked. At the heart of this rise is a coaching trio who refused to accept the constraints they had to perform under: Swys de Bruin, Laurian Johannes-Haupt, and Franzel September. Their combined influence has reshaped not only the team’s rugby identity but also the…