Innholdsfortegnelse for 2026-01-16 i Mercury

Global luxury brands group Richemont saw slow sales growth in China in the third quarter to December 31, 2023, despite global sales showing "strong momentum" with an 11% increase. The group said in an update Thursday its overall sales had seen a "very solid calendar year end", especially compared with "demanding double-digit comparatives in the prior-year period." Sales in China, Hong Kong and Macau combined had increased by 2%, mostly led by activity in Hong Kong, the group said. Growth elsewhere in the group's Asia Pacific operations however was "robust", with noteworthy performance in the South Korean and Australian markets, directors said. China has been a critical growth driver for luxury goods companies over the past two decades, but the market slowed sharply in 2024 after years of double digit…

Scammers Target South Africans as New Year Expenses Mount As South Africans return from the festive season with renewed energy, many households face the financial realities of a new year. For thousands of families, January is marked by registration fees, textbook purchases, and accommodation deposits for students entering universities and colleges, according to the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS). It says yet, alongside this excitement, fraudsters are seizing the opportunity to exploit vulnerable consumers.“Continuing from Black Friday and the Festive Season, this is one of the busiest times for scammers. The combination of high expenses and the urgent need for cash makes people more susceptible to scams,” says Manie van Schalkwyk, CEO of the SAFPS. Loan Scams The SAFPS says fraudsters lure victims with promises of quick loans and…

THE head of Crime Intelligence, Dumisani Khumalo, yesterday said he found the division still characterised by misuse of Crime Intelligence methodologies and resources when he was appointed to the position in 2022. Khumalo said there were complaints from the operational environment of SAPS that they were not getting the expected services. “These are also related to findings of lots of commissions and inquiries that were established focusing on some of the issues (including) crime intelligence problems,” he said. Khumalo made the statement when he was giving evidence before the parliamentary inquiry that is probing allegations that were made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi at a press conference in July 2025. The inquiry investigates the alleged unlawful disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), the moratorium on the…

Security around KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga has been heightened amid concerns for her safety. Sources in the National Freedom Party have revealed that security has been increased around Shinga following what they termed “concerns,” saying it was clear there are some people who want her position by hook or by crook. Shinga has been thrust into the spotlight after she refused to vote for a motion of no confidence brought by the Umkhonto weSizwe Party against KZN Premier Thami Ntuli. The NFP is a key member of the GPU, which also includes the IFP, ANC, and the DA. These developments have laid bare the tensions in the party. A video circulating online shows party president Ivan Barnes involved in a scuffle with another leader this week. The Mercury…

A senior lecturer at the Central Johannesburg TVET College has failed in his bid to overturn his dismissal after an Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) arbitrator found that he had acted improperly towards a student and that the sanction of dismissal was fair. John Kubasa Vike, who had been employed by the Gauteng Department of Higher Education and Training since 2012, was dismissed following a disciplinary hearing in May 2024. His appeal against the sanction was rejected in July 2025, prompting him to refer an unfair dismissal dispute to the ELRC. At the time of his dismissal, Vike was a senior lecturer at the college’s Langlaagte Campus. The charge against him arose from an incident in April 2023, when he was accused of making unwelcome sexual suggestions to a student…

The Legal Practice Council (LPC) said it will oppose an application filed by Advocate Dali Mpofu to set aside the remaining four professional misconduct charges laid against him by the LPC. Mpofu has filed papers with the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, in which he states that the charges are baseless, frivolous, and part of a racist or right-wing campaign to tarnish his name and professional standing. LPC spokesperson Kabelo Letebele said while the legal watchdog has not yet filed papers in opposition to the application, the LPC is in the process of preparing and filing a response in opposition to Mpofu’s application. “The LPC, through its executive committee, considered the application and resolved to oppose it,” he said. Letebele did not want to comment further on the LPC’s stance in…

In a move aimed at tackling the financial strain on schools, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) MEC Martin Meyer announced plans to advocate for the reduction or zero-rating of property rates on educational institutions across the province. A dispute arose in December over an outstanding municipal rates bill of R500 million, pitting the DPWI against the eThekwini Municipality. The municipality cut off water and electricity to provincial government offices, demanding full payment of the outstanding debt. The move disrupted critical services, particularly at Transport licensing centres, drawing sharp criticism from Meyer. Speaking to the media after donating stationery at Durban School for the Hearing Impaired yesterday, Meyer highlighted the paradox of funding education while simultaneously burdening schools with substantial municipal property rates. Highlighting the department’s recent challenges…

Hosts Morocco will face Sadio Mane’s Senegal in this weekend’s Africa Cup of Nations final after both emerged victorious from tense semi-finals on Wednesday, as Mohamed Salah’s dreams of winning the title were again dashed. Morocco beat Nigeria 4–2 on penalties after a semi-final showdown of few chances in the capital, Rabat, finished 0–0 at the end of extra time. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou performed heroics by saving twice in the shoot-out. Bounou, of Saudi side Al-Hilal, denied Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi, allowing Youssef En-Nesyri to convert the winning kick and spark wild celebrations among over 65 000 fans inside the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. As well as joy, there was relief for Hamza Igamane, who had appeared distraught after his kick — Morocco's second in the shoot-out — was…

The Hollywoodbets Sharks’ Champions Cup clash against Clermont Auvergne at Kings Park tomorrow (3pm kick-off) may have arrived early in JP Pietersen’s interim reign, but his former Sharks and Springbok teammate Odwa Ndungane believes it represents a valuable checkpoint rather than a defining moment for the young coach. Pietersen took over from veteran John Plumtree in December 2025 and enjoyed a positive start to his reign with back-to-back wins, before the Durban side slipped to consecutive defeats. It was a fairly young and experimental side that fell 26–10 to Sale Sharks in the last round of Champions Cup fixtures in Manchester last weekend, despite putting up a brave fight. A number of the Sharks' Bok big guns have been recalled for Saturday's match. While results have been mixed, Ndungane insists…

Dr François Bonnici, Director of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship and a member of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Executive Committee, has warned that the world’s emerging “age of competition” must not descend into paralysis, calling for stronger partnerships between governments, business, philanthropy and social innovators to confront escalating global risks. Speaking in response to the WEF’s Global Risks Report 2026, Bonnici said the findings confirm what social innovators and entrepreneurs are already experiencing on the ground: a convergence of geopolitical shocks, climate disruption and an information-integrity crisis. “The age of competition must not become an age of paralysis,” Bonnici said. “We urge governments, business and philanthropy to partner with social innovators to turn risk into resilience at scale. We must back leaders who champion business models that are…

As South African children return to school, parents and caregivers are urged to place road safety at the top of their back-to-school checklist. Road accidents remain one of the most serious threats to children in South Africa, with devastating and often lifelong consequences for families. Road crashes are the leading cause of death for otherwise healthy children in the country, with an estimated three children under the age of 15 losing their lives every day. They are also the second leading cause of death for children aged 5 to 14 years. Many of these tragedies are preventable and linked to factors such as failure to wear seatbelts, overcrowded vehicles, unsafe scholar transport, and poorly maintained cars. Beyond fatalities, road accidents frequently result in Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) and other serious…

The farm equity schemes programme, intended to improve the lives of farm workers, has been labelled as a corrupt “slush fund” that has compromised the workers and left many destitute. The Umkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP) claims that the long-established programme has become a slush fund looted by commercial farmers. The commercial agriculture sector has also claimed that the scheme has delivered far less than expected and is plagued by allegations of wrongdoing. Equity schemes were meant to shift ownership patterns and embed transformation in commercial agriculture. The Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy reports that over 70% of farmland is still owned by white individuals, while black ownership is below 10%. Recently, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso disclosed that forensic audits into farm equity schemes are…

Alcohol abuse, jealousy, experiencing childhood abuse, and anger of having absent fathers are some of the issues that are driving South African men to commit intimate partner violence (IPV), a new UWC study has found. The research by Dr Mpho Motseki from the Department of Women and Gender Studies focused on the experiences and perspectives of incarcerated men convicted of IPV across correctional centres in the country. Through interviews with 20 offenders, the study found that anger, romantic insecurity driven by suspicions of infidelity, exposure to abuse at a young age, and lack of positive male role models or father figures, often played a role in their violent behaviour later in life. Motseki, a lecturer at the University of Mpumalanga, who conducted the research as part of her PhD, said…

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy is poised to introduce a total ban on drinking alcoholic beverages if one is going to be driving through the amendment of the existing road regulations with a view to reducing road accidents. Creecy announced plans to tighten road regulations during a media briefing yesterday in Pretoria, where she presented preliminary road safety statistics for the 2025/2026 festive season and the 2025 period. She praised law enforcement agencies, municipalities, and civil servants for their role in achieving a 5% drop in road fatalities and crashes during the 2025/2026 festive season. However, she emphasised that reckless driver behaviour remains the leading cause of road trauma, adding that speeding and drunk-driving were major contributors to accidents. Preliminary road safety statistics showed that a total of 1,427 fatalities were…

While the debate continues to rage around the Proteas’ T20 World Cup squad — specifically the inclusion of Tony de Zorzi ahead of the in-form Ryan Rickelton — South African legend Vernon Philander has come out to bat for the dreadlocked left-hander. Critics of De Zorzi’s inclusion have pointed to SA20 statistics in a head-to-head comparison, highlighting season averages and strike rates where MI Cape Town’s Rickelton clearly holds the edge. De Zorzi, who featured for Durban’s Super Giants and Sunrisers Eastern Cape in his two seasons, has struggled to match those numbers. Rickelton has become the first batter to score multiple centuries in South Africa’s premier domestic T20 competition, topping this season’s batting chart with 324 runs at an impressive average of 54. Furthermore, De Zorzi hasn't played since…

The firing of Scott Robertson as coach of the All Blacks could have a direct impact on the Springboks, as it may result in the loss of attack coach Tony Brown. Robertson was dramatically sacked on Thursday, 15 January 2026, after a New Zealand Rugby (NZR) review of his performance — fuelled by dissent from leading players such as Ardie Savea — resulted in his exit midway through a four-year term. The early favourite for the All Black reins is Jamie Joseph, whom Robertson beat to the job when Ian Foster exited after the 2023 World Cup. It was a two-horse race then, and Robertson won based on his record of seven straight Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders. Crucially, from a South African point of view, Brown was on…

For years Senuran Muthusamy has been content to sit in the shadows. Initially at the Dolphins, and subsequently with the national team. But over the last period, Muthusamy, who is the ultimate team man and always putting the needs of others ahead of himself, has almost been pushed into the spotlight. The allrounder was a revelation on the two subcontinent tours to Pakistan and India recently, contributing significantly to the Proteas’ Test side’s success. Player of the Series in Pakistan due to his significant feats with bat and ball, Muthusamy went on to score a maiden Test century to help the Proteas complete a historic 2-0 clean sweep in Guwahati. It’s clear that Muthusamy’s confidence is at an all-time high, especially after he was honoured with the ICC Player of…

Closure of BATSA plant seen as damning proof that authorities have failed to curb illicit cigarettes The planned closure of British American Tobacco South Africa's (BATSA) manufacturing plant is damning proof that authorities' failure to curb the illicit cigarette trade is destroying jobs, draining public revenue, and eroding the rule of law, according to Tax Justice SA (TJSA). BATSA announced Thursday it will shut its factory in Heidelberg, Gauteng, after years of plummeting sales caused by the illicit cigarette market, which now accounts for an estimated three out of every four cigarettes sold in the country. The cease factory shut by one of the country's largest tax contributors puts at least 230 jobs at risk, and threatens the livelihoods of employees' families and their wider communities. The illicit cigarette trade,…

Raising any child is costly, but when a child has special needs, the financial planning process takes on an added layer of complexity. Every diagnosis, prognosis, and expectation around life expectancy shapes the plan, and in many cases, the time horizon must extend beyond your own lifetime to include that of your child. Financial planning for a special needs child is therefore both deeply personal and highly specialised. Mapping an expense timeline: Before putting a budget in place, it is useful to plot a timeline of expected expenses unique to your child’s condition. By mapping out anticipated treatments, therapies, medical equipment, and possible hospitalisations, you can identify the large costs that may arise in the short to medium term. This timeline can then be overlaid on your household budget to…

South Africans based overseas, who are considered to be former tax residents, will now encounter tighter oversight when moving South African income abroad. This is after the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) introduced new rules towards the end of 2025, which require all cross-border transfers of South African-sourced income to be cleared by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) before any funds can leave the country. The measures cover pensions, rental income, dividends, directors’ fees, and other locally earned income. Lovemore Ndlovu, Head of SARB Engagement and Expatriate Compliance at Tax Consulting South Africa, said the rules are designed to ensure that non-residents’ tax status and compliance are verified before any remittances are processed. "The aim is to improve oversight and traceability, but the revised framework also brings significantly more…

The Department of Social Development (DSD) has moved to calm fears among grant beneficiaries after false claims circulated on social media suggesting that the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant is about to be terminated. The department denied the claims, describing them as misinformation with no basis in any government decision. “The Department wishes to categorically state that these claims are false. There is no such decision, announcement or directive from the department or government regarding the termination of the SRD.” According to the DSD, videos and graphics currently being shared online are misleading the public and have the potential to cause unnecessary panic among social grant beneficiaries who rely on the support. The department also warned that some of the misleading content unlawfully uses official government branding and…

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has emphasised the South African Schools Act (SASA), as amended by the BELA Act of 2024, which obliges public schools to admit learners and provide education without discrimination. Referencing Section 5(1) of the Act, the DBE said: “A public school must admit and provide education to learners and must serve their educational requirements for the duration of their school attendance without unfairly discriminating in any way.” The issue has come to the fore amid questions being raised about the enrolment of foreign national children at South African schools. The March and March movement this week staged a protest at Addington Primary School over the admission of foreign national children. The organisation has argued that school places should be prioritised for South African children. There…

Former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brian Baloyi has voiced serious concerns over the ongoing shortage of locally based goalkeeping talent in South Africa’s top flight, warning that the lack of exposure for upcoming goalkeepers could pose a long-term problem for the national team. South Africa has traditionally been well stocked in the goalkeeping department, with current Bafana Bafana number one Ronwen Williams regarded as one of the best talents in recent times and widely considered among the continent’s top shot-stoppers. However, despite his presence and the other experienced performers in the Betway Premiership, Baloyi believes the bigger issue lies beneath the surface — the absence of young local goalkeepers coming through the ranks. This season, approximately 50 per cent of goalkeepers who have seen regular action in the Betway Premiership are…

The All Blacks are standing at a crossroads that should make every New Zealand rugby fan feel a little uneas sitting on their couch ahead of the new international season. It’s a moment that feels very familiar, because this movie has been on the big screen before — just not in black and white, but in green and gold. In 2017, the Springboks were on their knees under Allister Coetzee, especially after losing 57–0 to the All Blacks. Public trust was almost non-existent, performances were erratic and poor, jerseys were burnt, and the Boks were drifting just two seasons out from the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Then, in 2018, came one ruthless but brave decision by SA Rugby: the firing of Coetzee and the appointment of Rassie Erasmus, alongside Jacques…