Innholdsfortegnelse for 2026-01-06 i Mercury

The Department of Transport in South Africa and its Botswana counterparts are in ongoing discussions to relocate the Groblersbrug border post following sustained bottlenecks as cargo volumes previously routed through the Beitbridge border with Zimbabwe now use the exit point to avoid extra charges on the Zimbabwean side. The bottlenecks, heightened by a spike in demand for acid at mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zambia, have resulted in an increase of dangerous cargo hauliers heading to the border. Operators are of the view that the border does not have capacity to cope with sudden spikes in truck traffic, which has become the norm because of cross-border transporters preferring to avoid the North-South route through Zimbabwe. This is while trucks carrying general cargo, refrigerated goods, break…

Airlines have questioned Air Traffic Navigation Services’ (ATNS) shifting explanation for widespread flight delays at O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA), after the entity attributed disruptions to adverse weather conditions following earlier statements that cited staff shortages as the primary cause. The delays, which began on Sunday and extended into Monday, left several aircraft and flight crews out of position, triggering knock-on disruptions across airline networks. The incident has renewed scrutiny of ATNS’s operational resilience as airlines continue to grapple with the cost and scheduling impact of air traffic control disruptions. In a statement on Monday, ATNS said the disruptions experienced on Sunday were primarily due to inclement weather, despite earlier communications to stakeholders indicating that staffing constraints at air traffic control had led to restricted traffic flows at the airport.…

There’s a familiar ring to President Donald Trump’s plan to send US energy giants to Venezuela to use the wealth generated from rekindling long-stalled oil production to stabilise that country and cement American energy dominance: Similar ambitions accompanied the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. The quick riches promised did not materialise there, as firms grappled with years of political turmoil and security threats, struggled to negotiate workable contract terms and confronted vexing infrastructure inadequacies. Venezuela may not be any easier, industry analysts warn. “One of the clear lessons from Iraq - and it is not unique to Iraq - is that you need to have stability and be able to assess risk before you can start production,” said Kevin Book, the managing director at ClearView Energy Partners, a research…

Kids have been on holiday since early December, and with all the festivities, routines have probably flown right out the window. If you’ve allowed your little ones to stay up later and sleep in longer than usual, then you might find yourself with a struggle on your hands to get them back into a normal routine. With schools reopening next Wednesday, the countdown has officially begun. While it is tempting to squeeze every last drop of freedom out of the holidays, waiting until the night before school starts to enforce a bedtime is a recipe for a very tearful Wednesday morning. Here is how to bridge the gap from holiday chaos back to school-ready structure without the stress. Start now Our bodies run on internal clocks. If a child has…

Twenty-five-year-old Grace and her husband are set on staying child-free, resisting pressure from their parents and society to produce offspring, even as China strives to boost its flagging birth rate. A decade since China scrapped its stringent one-child policy and implemented a two-child policy in January 2016, the nation is dealing with a looming demographic crisis. The country’s population has shrunk for three straight years, with the United Nations predicting it could fall from 1.4 billion today to 633 million by 2100. There were just 9.54 million births in China in 2024 — half the number as in 2016 — and concerns about the shrinking and ageing population have been growing as couples choose to buck traditional Chinese norms. More young people like Grace, who refers to herself and her…

Air traffic operations at O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) have fully resumed, as confirmed by Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS). The disruptions experienced on Sunday were primarily due to weather conditions, with initial reports attributing delays to staffing constraints. “ATNS confirms that air traffic operations at O.R. Tambo International Airport are normal this morning, with services continuing as planned. However, the nature of aviation is such that operations should remain subject to constant close monitoring and evaluation,” said ATNS corporate affairs and communications head Mphilo K Dlamini. This comes after an ATNS media statement on Sunday indicating that flight delays are being experienced at ORTIA. The service also said that delays were primarily due to temporary human resource constraints at the Air Traffic Control station. However, in its update,…

The Black Lawyers Association (BLA) has backed the call by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development (DJCD), Mmamoloko Kubayi, who has suggested mandatory lifestyle audits for all prosecutors to safeguard the integrity of the country’s justice system. The BLA said that it is essential to subject prosecutors to lifestyle audits, considering that the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture had raised significant concerns regarding the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The association stated that this will assist in identifying corrupt elements within the NPA. While welcoming what she described as a transparent process to appoint the next National Director of Public Prosecutions during her interview with the SABC on Sunday afternoon, Kubayi raised concerns about the internal weaknesses within the prosecuting authority, warning that they undermine public confidence.…

England’s batting mainstay Joe Root once again underlined his mastery of the Ashes as he went level with Ricky Ponting in equal-third in the all-time men’s Test century list, bringing up his 41st hundred on day two of the Sydney Test. Root equalled Ponting’s total of 41 Test centuries, doing so in fewer matches. Ponting achieved the feat across 168 Tests between 1995 and 2012, while Root reached the same mark in his 163rd appearance since debuting against India in Nagpur in December 2012. The knock was also the first international century of the 2026 calendar year. It’s the second century for Root on the tour who had curiously not reached the magical mark in 14 Test matches held in Australia before the current series. Beginning Day 2 on 72,…

JASON Smith belongs to an elite group of cricketers in South Africa that have actually won an ICC white-ball limited overs World Cup. Among his contemporaries are Proteas T20 captain Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada and Corbin Bosch after they lifted the ICC U19 World Cup together in Dubai back in 2014. And now for the first time, the MI Cape Town top-order batter will join them for a shot at a senior ICC T20 World Cup to be held next month in India and Sri Lanka. It has been more than a decade-long wait, but Smith feels that watching their achievements over the years has only fuelled his desire to be successful at international level even more. “I think I’ve grown a lot as a cricketer and as a person…

Millions of low-income households remain under severe financial strain, warns civil society groups Despite a modest decline in food prices in December, millions of low-income households remain under severe financial strain, civil society groups have warned, saying the relief reflected in the latest Household Affordability Index does not translate into meaningful food security. The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD) said its December 2025 Household Affordability Index showed the average cost of a basic Household Food Basket fell both month-on-month and year-on-year, yet remained far beyond the reach of families dependent on low wages and social grants. According to PMBEJD, the average cost of the Household Food Basket stood at R5 333,45 in December 2025, down R80.08, or 1.5%, from R5 413.53 in November. On an annual basis, the…

E-waste, the fastest-growing waste stream worldwide, is a global sustainability challenge emanating from the proliferation of technology in a consumer-driven society, which discards millions of tons of electronic devices each year. Old cellphones, computers, laptops, televisions and household appliances contain harmful materials such as lead, mercury, and other toxic chemicals, which have a devastating effect on the environment and health. India, is the world’s third-largest generator of e-waste while South Africa, generating over 360000 tons of e-waste annually, is grappling with its own e-waste challenge. Only a small fraction (about 10%) of South African e-waste is properly managed; the rest ends up in landfills or is illegally dumped, posing serious risks to the ecosystem. Both countries are using the circular economy model - reusing and regenerating e-waste materials to continue…

In a world where even our toddlers can navigate a tablet better than we can, the digital landscape in South Africa has changed fast. While the internet is an incredible tool for school research and staying in touch with relatives in other parts of the world, it has also become a somewhat wild frontier. In fact, the global community is taking this so seriously that Australia recently made history. As of late 2025, they have enforced a landmark law that sets a minimum age of 16 for social media use. Under this new rule, major platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X must take active steps to keep under-16s off their sites or face massive fines. While we do not have a law like that in South Africa yet, it is…

The NFP’s sole member of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, Mbali Shinga, is expected to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee tomorrow to face charges following her decision to vote against the Umkhonto weSizwe Party-sponsored motion of no confidence against Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli. On December 15, Shinga openly defied the party’s directive to vote for Ntuli’s removal. This angered the party bosses, including President Ivan Barnes, who watched the proceedings from the chamber’s gallery. This prompted the party’s national executive committee (NEC) to hold a special meeting, which resolved to suspend her. The NEC then wrote to the speaker, Nontembeko Boyce, and asked her to remove Shinga as a member of the legislature. However, the Speaker turned down the request and cited rules that Shinga could only be removed once she has…

Motorists can look forward to lower fuel prices this week, as a stronger rand and lower international oil prices have led to a significant over-recovery for both petrol and diesel. The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has confirmed petrol price decreases of 62 cents per litre for 93 Unleaded and 66 cents for 95 Unleaded. Diesel will see price cuts of R1.37 for 500ppm and R1.50 for 50ppm. These cuts will bring the coastal prices of 95 Unleaded and 50ppm diesel to their lowest levels since February 2022. A litre of 95 Unleaded is expected to cost R19.92 at the coast from Wednesday, bringing it below the R20 barrier for the first time in almost four years. Those in the inland regions will pay around R20.75 for 95 ULP…

Drones operated by the Border Management Authority (BMA) captured live footage of illegal migrants crossing from Zimbabwe through the Beitbridge Border Post, leading to the arrest of 25 people. The incident occurred yesterday as thousands of holidaymakers were travelling back to their destinations. BMA commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato was present at the Beitbridge Port of Entry in Limpopo at the time. “With the assistance of the technology deployed, 25 illegal migrants were attempting to enter South Africa through the bushes,” the BMA said in a post on X. The BMA also said that two men were detained and handed over to the Musina Police Station for aiding and abetting. The suspects were arrested a day earlier near the Beitbridge Port of Entry while allegedly facilitating the illegal movement of people.…

Hugo Broos was left searching for words after Bafana Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations journey ended abruptly at the hands of Cameroon, undone by missed opportunities and moments of defensive lapse in a high-stakes round-of-16 encounter. South Africa exited the tournament in Morocco despite a promising start that suggested they had the tools to trouble the five-time African champions. Broos, visibly disappointed, believed the foundations for victory were laid early – but not capitalised on. “We are very disappointed and sad that we are eliminated today,” Broos said. “I think we had the right players and we had three big chances in the first half and normally the game is to be done then but when you miss those chances, you pay the bill (by conceding) with a lucky goal.”…

WHAT was meant to be a defining year for South African football has instead begun with doubt, as Bafana Bafana’s last-16 exit at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) raised uncomfortable questions about their readiness for the challenges still to come. South Africa were knocked out of the tournament with a 2–1 defeat to Cameroon, their second loss of the campaign and one that proved decisive. The result ended Bafana’s AFCON journey prematurely and saw them fail to build on the momentum of their impressive third-place finish at the previous edition. Perhaps more worrying than the result itself was the contrast between the side that impressed during the Fifa World Cup qualifiers and the one that took to the field at this tournament. While Bafana showed flashes of quality during…

Economists remain cautiously optimistic about South Africa’s economic prospects in 2026, pointing to improving fundamentals, easing inflation and interest rates, and a gradual recovery in confidence following stronger-than-expected growth in 2025. Professor Raymond Parsons of the North West University Business School said the economy ended 2025 in a notably stronger position than a year earlier, supported by several positive developments that could mark a turning point in the business cycle. “In the past few months, a number of positive developments have created what could be a turning point in the business cycle. Based on the latest data available, the economy enters 2026 on a ‘note of cautious optimism’ about the outlook for next year,” he said. Parsons said South Africa had been in a recovery phase during 2025, with a…

KWAZULU-NATAL ANC members have warned the party against a proposal to look beyond the organisation for people to deploy into government roles, saying the move could trigger tensions at branch level. Some members demanded that, if pushed through, every leader of the party—from local government to national parliament—should be subjected to this rule. The members, speaking on condition of anonymity as they are not authorised to speak to the media, were reacting to reports that the party is considering individuals from outside its membership for deployment to leadership positions. It was reported that, among the proposed changes, mayors of metros would no longer need to be drawn from regional leadership structures. However, other party members said they believe the proposal could reignite excellence within the organisation. They argue the move…

A senior executive at the Newcastle Municipality and two bodyguards were injured in a shooting early yesterday morning, police and municipal officials confirmed. The Senior Executive Director for Corporate Services was attacked by unknown suspects while en route to work shortly after departing his residence, according to the KwaZulu-Natal municipality. The executive and his two assigned bodyguards sustained injuries and were taken to a medical facility, where they are receiving treatment. The South African Police Service (SAPS) detectives from the Newcastle police station are investigating the matter. At this stage, no motive has been established and no arrests have been made, the municipality said. The municipality added that it “will not entertain speculation, conjecture, or the politicisation of this criminal act while investigations are underway.” Newcastle mayor Xolani Dube condemned…

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has rubbished claims that his department’s budget sidelines rural provinces or excludes Black farmers from South Africa’s agricultural future. Steenhuisen was responding to a parliamentary question from uMkhonto weSizwe Party MP Thulani Gamede, who raised concerns that the Eastern Cape’s agro-processing programme was reportedly allocated just R6 million compared with over R197 million for high-tech projects at elite institutions. Steenhuisen said the department has not found evidence that its budget excludes rural provinces or Black farmers. He highlighted that several programmes are in place to support smallholder and historically disadvantaged farmers, including infrastructure. “No. The department has not found that its budget allocations sideline development in rural provinces and that it excludes Black farmers or rural provinces from participating as central players in South Africa’s…

Ruben Amorim arrived at Manchester United as one of Europe’s brightest young coaching talents, but just 14 months on he leaves the club as the latest man unable to revive the fortunes of the fallen English giants. The 40-year-old was sacked yesterday after overseeing just 25 wins in his 63 games in charge, leaving United looking for a seventh permanent boss since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. Here we look at where it went wrong for Amorim during his short stint at Old Trafford. Wedded to a failing system Amorim rose to prominence by winning two Portuguese league titles at Sporting Lisbon, based on his preferred 3-4-3 formation. Despite evidence that the system was not the best fit for the players he had at United, Amorim persisted with it, at…

Sunrisers Eastern Cape delivered an emphatic statement with a first-ever Betway SA20 victory over Pretoria Capitals at Centurion yesterday. The two-time champions stormed to the top of the table with a comprehensive 10-wicket victory, which earned the Eastern Cape side a third bonus point. Openers Quinton de Kock (79 not out, 41 balls, 5x4, 5x6) and Jonny Bairstow (85 not out, 44 balls, 8x4, 6x6) produced an electrifying 177-run opening stand that silenced the home crowd. De Kock kickstarted the run chase with Bairstow content to play the supporting role initially. But the former England World Cup winner exploded into action when he took down Capitals captain Keshav Maharaj in the 12th over. Bairstow blasted Maharaj for 34 runs – the most expensive over in SA20 history – with the…

While the Africa Cup of Nations gathers momentum with Africa’s finest going head-to-head for continental supremacy, the start of the new year has also brought the Betway Premiership tantalisingly close to resumption, especially with Bafana Bafana getting knocked out in the Last 16 on Sunday. Business has not been as usual this season. This campaign carries a distinct energy, with a simmering battle emerging between the country’s two standout giants, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. The pair are set for more than a mere stare-down; they could once again clash head-on in a fight for the league title. Sundowns remain the undisputed champions, chasing a record-extending ninth consecutive league crown, while Pirates are determined to end a 13-year title drought, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this season’s heavyweight…