Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-06-18 i Star

Merlog Foods has called on the Department of Agriculture to allow the importation of Mechanically Deboned Meat (MDM) from regions in Brazil unaffected by the recent avian influenza outbreak. This request comes on the heels of the department signing an import agreement with the United States, a move hailed by many industry stakeholders as a crucial step towards enhancing food security in the country. MDM is widely used in lower-cost protein products required by millions of South Africans for food security such as Vienna sausages and polony, and Brazil is South Africa’s primary source of MDM. Georg Southey, manager of Merlog Foods, recently expressed his appreciation for the Department's year-long arrangement with the US that facilitates a responsive trade mechanism in the wake of bird flu outbreaks. “This agreement, which…

Stablecoins - a form of cryptocurrency backed by traditional assets - are gaining traction, with the US Senate set to vote Tuesday on a bill to regulate such digital tokens. But as stablecoins move closer to the financial mainstream, experts warn that weak regulation could leave investors and the financial system vulnerable. What are stablecoins? Stablecoins play a key role in crypto markets, enabling users to trade digital assets without relying on traditional banks, instead using a decentralised register known as blockchain. Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, stablecoins track the value of traditional assets - such as the US dollar or gold - enabling greater stability. Tether and USDC, for example, are pegged to the dollar, backed by reserves held by their issuing companies. They are useful internationally because they…

Africa is at a turning point in its energy journey. As cities expand and industries grow, the demand for electricity is rising fast. By 2040, Africa will need nearly 1,200 gigawatts of power, yet 600 million people still lack electricity, holding back development, healthcare, and education. This creates a major challenge: How can Africa expand energy access without locking itself into high-emission fuels? The solution must balance affordability, sustainability, and reliability. While solar and wind power are critical, most countries lack the infrastructure to rely on them alone. Grids must remain stable, industries need steady energy, and cross-border trade requires a consistent supply. Natural gas plays a vital role in this—acting as a bridge to cleaner energy while meeting urgent electricity needs.Africa houses about 7% of the world’s proven…

Supplier of coloured gemstones Gemfields reported total revenues of $31.7 million (R566m) from its latest mixed-quality ruby auction, as 78 of the 90 lots offered were sold, representing a sales rate of 87% by lot and 69% by carat weight. A total of 99 830 carats were offered, with 68 705 carats successfully sold at an average price of $ 461.48 per carat, the company said in a statement on Tuesday. The auction, which included rubies from a newly developed section of the Montepuez Ruby Mining (MRM) site in Mozambique, featured a standout 36-carat fine-quality ruby. The stone attracted strong interest and achieved one of the highest prices ever for a single gemstone from MRM, ranking third in the mine’s history, Gemfields said. Adrian Banks, Gemfields' managing director of…

Vukile Property Fund, the specialist retail estate investment trust, has upgraded its guidance by 8% for 2026 as it produced a robust set of results for the financial year ended March 31 2025. Delivering on its market guidance, Vukile achieved 3% growth in full-year funds from operations per share and increased its dividend per share by 6%. Laurence Rapp, the CEO of Vukile Property Fund, said, “We are pleased to report strong results in a transformative year, distinguished by accretive strategic growth and capital rotation. This outstanding performance validates Vukile’s strategy, expands its earnings base and positions the business for compounding future growth.” Vukile's, with total property assets now exceeding R50 billion, is evolving into a more international business with growing exposure to hard currency earnings emanating from blue-chip…

The corruption case involving former ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe and six co-accused individuals has been postponed to July 7 as the State works to finalise the charge sheet. The decision was announced during court proceedings yesterday at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Ekurhuleni. Mabe, 44, his wife Mmatlhekelo Elsie Mabe, 46, and five others – Loyiso Mkwana, Thandeka Mbassa, Matilda Gasela, Abdullah Mohamed Ismail and Mabe’s business associate, Tinyiko Mahuntsi – appeared briefly before Magistrate Brian Nemavhidi. All seven accused are out on bail of R30 000 each. State prosecutor Magdeline Montwedi Mclean told the court that the defence and prosecution had agreed to postpone proceedings to allow the State time to provide the final charge sheet by June 30. The accused may be issued a…

The EFF has shared messages of condolences following the deaths of 12 people killed in a horror crash on the R34 highway in Vryheid, in KwaZulu-Natal, early yesterday morning. The members were on their way home after spending Youth Day at uMlazi, in the Durban south area. Craig Botha of KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service said a multi-service emergency response team worked to stabilise all patients before transportting them to nearby medical facilities for further treatment. “Nine occupants were declared dead at the scene, having sustained fatal injuries before emergency services arrived. Three critically injured patients later died at hospital despite intensive efforts by paramedics and medical staff,” Botha said. KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, said he is awaiting an updated reports from the Road Traffic Inspectorate…

Court withdraws charges against accused No. 5 in Thabo Bester escape case Charges against accused number five in the Thabo Bester escape case, John Masukela, who is a former G4S employee, have been officially withdrawn. This revelation emerged during a court session where the State prosecutor announced the decision, stating: “I am going to withdraw the case against one of the accused. I think we can excuse him, and he can go in peace, and that is accused number five, John Masukela.” Bester and his eight co-accused appeared before the Bloemfontein High Court for a pre-trial hearing over charges linked to his 2022 prison escape. The group is facing charges including fraud, corruption, aiding an escape, violating a corpse and defeating the ends of justice. Bester and his partner, Dr…

Rent boycotts and disruptive behaviour from non-paying tenants are posing significant sustainability challenges to private social housing projects in the City of Tshwane. MMC for Housing and Human Settlements, Aaron Maluleka, has expressed concern that government-initiated housing projects for individuals earning R11 301 to R22 000 monthly are being undermined by tenants’ non-payment of rent and disruptive behaviour. This follows the recent eviction of tenants from Thembelihle Village, Tshwane’s pioneering social housing project, amid prolonged disputes over rent and soaring electricity costs. Thembelihle Village, a low-cost housing project launched by the government in 2018, has been plagued by issues stemming from tenants’ non-payment of rent and utilities, ultimately leading to the property being placed under business rescue. Yeast City Housing NPC, the manager of Thembelihle Village, recently reported that numerous…

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is set to launch a probe into fraud, corruption, irregularities, malpractices or maladministration in the affairs of the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (Chieta). President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the investigation into the allocation of discretionary grant funding to entities in which Chieta employees or officials may have had undisclosed or unauthorised interests and the extent of any benefit derived by the employees or officials. Chieta’s annual budget for the 2025/26 financial year exceeds R735 million, including R446m allocated for discretionary grants. According to proclamation, the SIU will also probe any losses or actual or potential prejudice suffered by Chieta or the State as a result of such fraud, corruption, irregularities, malpractices or maladministration including the causes of such fraud, corruption, irregularities, malpractices or…

WhatsApp has been enhancing its platform with a slew of new features and updates designed to enrich user experiences across its various functionalities. Chats: WhatsApp has made chatting more interactive with the introduction of animated emojis that move when shared. Also, the new animated sticker maker allows users to convert their favourite videos into moving stickers. Users can now initiate a group by setting a name without immediately needing to add participants. Once ready, individuals can invite others with a simple link. Participants can now also respond to a collective batch of photos and videos. Calls: Users can now manage their call history, make new calls, and share call links – all from one central location. Adding to the fun are six new filters and six effects for video…

One silent crisis continues to claim lives: men’s health. Across South Africa, men are suffering – and dying – in silence. The reasons? Fear, stigma and a deeply ingrained culture of avoidance when it comes to medical check-ups and health screenings. This Men’s Health Month, we are calling on men of all ages to take charge of their well-being by prioritising regular health screenings, embracing healthier habits, and speaking openly about both physical and mental health challenges. Too many men only visit a doctor when it’s already too late. We need to normalise proactive care because prevention is far more powerful than a cure. The stats speak for themselves South African men are living, on average, seven years less than women, with an average life expectancy of just around 62…

Eastern Platinum (Eastplats) said it had detected a cybersecurity incident affecting its internal IT systems on May 27, 2025. Eastplats is a platinum group metals (PGM) and chrome producer with assets located along South Africa’s Bushveld Complex, the world’s largest known PGM resource. Upon detection, Eastplats took immediate containment measures to protect its network and data, it said. Eastplats has since been working with cybersecurity experts to thoroughly investigate the incident's scope and undertake necessary remedial action. "Importantly, Eastplats' business operations have continued without disruption," it said. However, certain files related to its internal affairs were disclosed without authorisation by third parties on a restricted part of the internet. Eastplats said it is actively reviewing these files to ensure ongoing compliance with its legal obligations and to safeguard its commercial…

crisis as rescue practitioners prepare exit Uncertainty surrounds the funding of about R7 billion needed to recapitalise both the South African Post Office (SAPO) and the Post Bank after National Treasury firmly ruled itself out as an option. This comes as the SAPO Business Rescue Practitioners prepare to exit the process, leaving the entity with a R1.7bn paper profit. During a briefing to Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Digital Technologies and Communications on Tueaday, SAPO's Group acting CEO, Fathima Gany, expressed the urgency of the situation. Gany said SAPO required R3.8bn to efficiently run its extensive network of 657 branches while integrating necessary digitisation capabilities. "The magic number is R3.8bn. It could be anything else, unfortunately the fiscus doesn't have the ability to give us that and we have to appreciate…

Glencore said it made tax, royalty and duty payments amounting to $157 million (around R2.8 billion) to South Africa in 2024 as it considers dialogue with government and other players as key for the country’s energy transition. In the year to December 2024, Glencore’s total payments to governments in markets in which it operates topped $3.7bn, calculated “in line” with the UK Transparency Requirements. Over the same period, Glencore suffered about $611m worth of impairments in its South African operations, significantly contributing to the company’s $1.6bn in losses to equity holder. The $157m in payments to the South African government for 2024 were accounted for by $111.5m in income taxes, $45.3m in royalties. An additional $1.2bn in “taxes and duties relating to non-extractive activities plus other taxes” was also paid…

In a world where energy dynamics are constantly shifting, Sakhile Ngcongwane, Business Development Manager at SolarAfrica, said that renewable energy is no longer confined to the simplistic installation of a few rooftop panels. For businesses intent on maximising the benefits, diversification is the key. As South Africa's energy landscape transforms, mixed policy signals are raising questions about solar energy’s continuing value, particularly for large energy consumers in the commercial and industrial (C&I) sectors. Ngcongwane offered reassurance: solar still retains its merits, albeit in a more complex role than in the past. While the current stability of load shedding may lead some to believe that renewable energy has slipped down the national agenda, the reality is more nuanced. The carbon tax, initially designed to incentivise reduced greenhouse gas emissions, is stalling,…

The board of Assura plc, which is secondary listed on the JSE, said on Tuesday it notes the announcement made by Primary Health Properties (PHP) on June 13 outlining revised terms of its share and cash offer for the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Assura. Assura is a UK-based Real Estate Investment Trust specialising in the development, investment, and management of primary healthcare properties. Assura owns and operates a portfolio of over 600 healthcare facilities across the UK, including GP surgeries, diagnostic and treatment centers, and private hospitals. Key amendments to the PHP offer include the potential acceleration of Assura’s quarter three dividend, without a corresponding reduction in the overall value of the PHP offer to shareholders; and a reduction in the acceptance condition for…

The Botswana Accountancy Oversight Authority (BAOA) has launched an independent investigation into PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Botswana’s conduct in the 2018 audit of Choppies Enterprises, the JSE-listed supermarket chain - the latest salvo in an ongoing battle. The audit delays triggered by PwC’s handling of the 2018 financials not only caused Choppies’ temporary suspension from both the Botswana Stock Exchange and JSE, but also precipitated a dramatic share price plunge and significant investor losses. The BAOA holds sweeping regulatory authority with the power to investigate, penalize, impose hefty fines, and even revoke licenses from entities found in breach - making it one of the most formidable oversight bodies in Botswana’s corporate governance landscape. The regulator confirmed it has received a formal complaint from Choppies’ legal team and Justice Zein Kebonang, citing two…

The Zulu This play by the renowned South African playwright and lyricist Mbongeni Ngema has been reimagined as a two-hander, starring Abdul Khoza and Nhlakanipho Manqele. Directed by Sibusiso Mamba, the production blends traditional music, dance and oral storytelling as it explores themes of identity, resistance and cultural pride. Where: The Lesedi theatre at Joburg Theatre. When: Runs until Sunday. Show times differ. Carmen The Joburg Ballet presents this production of Carmen, which is a reimagining of the classic story. It features a range of dance styles such as flamenco, ballet and Pantsula. The show is choreographed by Manuel Buzón Ruiz from Madrid’s University of Juan Carlos, in collaboration with Mzansi Ballet’s Angela Revie, Some of the themes it unpacks are love, jealousy and betrayal, which will be set to…

As the deadly conflict between Iran and Israel enters its fifth day, pressure is mounting on South Africa’s MTN Group to reconsider its major investment in Iranian mobile network operator MTN Irancell. While MTN insists its staff in Iran are safe, experts warn that in times of war, no business can guarantee protection or stability. MTN Irancell is Iran’s largest mobile operator, providing millions of Iranians with 2G to 5G mobile services. MTN owns 49% of the company, with the rest held by its local partner, Kowsar Sign Paniz. MTN’s public message has so far been calm. “As we understood from the Irancell management, all staff are safe at this stage,” said MTN chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer Nompilo Morafo. But with missiles flying and tension rising across the…

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has pleaded for patience after being quizzed about the scrapping of e-tolls in April last year, yet some motorists are still complaining about receiving their bills. Answering oral questions at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) on Tuesday, Lesufi said his administration held a meeting in January this year with Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and a team from the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral). “In the meeting, the issue of the e-tolls and all e-tolls-related matters was on the agenda and we had extensive discussions and immediately after those discussions, the minister pleaded with us, of which we concurred, that we leave all e-tolls-related matters to herself as well as the board of Sanral,” he said in response to questions from leader of the opposition in…

US rapper Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty – better known as Nicki Minaj – has expressed her love to her Mzansi fans after her recent remix climbed the charts in South Africa. The 42-year-old released a remix titled Banned From No on June 11 with her long-time friend and fellow rapper, Lil Wayne. The track has received great reception because in less than a week of it being released, the track secured the number one spot on the iTunes Top Songs chart, making it the top-selling song in the US. The Barbz in Mzansi also showed up and showed out, because this remix by the two rap moguls also sits at number one on iTunes. The hitmaker took to X to reply to a post about the remix hitting the charts…

South Africa's markets faced a turbulent day on Tuesday as they traded on the backfoot, grappling with the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East and uncertainty surrounding the US Federal Open Markets Committee’s (FOMC) upcoming decision on interest rates. The JSE All Share Index fell 0.7% to 94 695 by 4pm while the rand was weak and traded above the R18.80-mark against the US dollar after reaching R17.70/$1 as the severe escalation in the conflict in the Middle East has increased market risk aversion. Stocks such as Karooooo, Assura and Harmony Gold saw the most declines, falling 4.55%, 4% and 3.3%, respectively. However, the marked US dollar weakness of the second quarter continued to persist amid heightened volatility. The escalation of conflict in the region reached new peaks following a…

I was astounded to see news last week of Transnet’s capitulation to union strike threats, agreeing to give workers 6% pay rises in each of the next three years. This agreement represents a failure of leadership on both sides – militant unions holding the country hostage with strike threats, and management caving to their demands without a fight. While South African businesses slash costs and workers face retrenchments, Transnet workers will get pay rises that are double the inflation rate, funded by taxpayers already struggling to make ends meet. Inflation is running at 2.7% and the economy is expected to only grow 1.4% this year. The news came days after National Treasury had agreed to give Transnet additional guarantees to enable it to manage its huge debt pile. In the…

As geopolitical tensions continue to escalate between Israel and Iran, the shipping industry is watching closely, with major players voicing their concerns over potential disruptions. Shipping giant Maersk on Tueday said that its immediate priority was ensuring the safety and well-being of its staff in impacted locations. “Currently, all our colleagues are safe, and we have activated our business continuity procedures to minimise the impact on our business and customers. We are closely monitoring the situation and assessing the potential impact on our operations,” said Adhish Alawani, Maersk spokesperson. “Currently, we are not experiencing any disruptions. We aim to keep our customers informed and help them with alternative solutions if needed.” Disruption in the Middle East could have far-reaching economic consequences. Malcolm Hartwell, director and master mariner at Norton Rose…

The consequences of climate change amplify vulnerabilities in communities, placing additional stresses on water availability, agricultural productivity, health outcomes, and infrastructure resilience, such as roads and housing susceptibility to severe weather conditions. Too often, when the disaster or distress hits, communities turn to mining companies to provide services and infrastructure. Despite this reality, there remains a disconnect between intention, impact, and outcomes in these interventions. Mining is on the cusp of a once-in-a-generation investment boom. The global population is approaching 10 billion people, and many parts of the world, including us, are pursuing a net zero economy towards 2050 and beyond. With an estimated $100 billion in additional capital investment in the resources sector required each year to meet the demand outlook associated with urbanisation and the decarbonisation of…

Stor-Age Property REIT, the largest self-storage company in South Africa, continued to deliver a strong performance in the year ended March 31, 2025 driven by gains in occupancy and rental rates, lifting distributable income per share by 4.1% and a dividend of 53.56c was declared. Rental income and net property operating income increased by 8.3% and 8.0%, respectively. Same-store rental income increased 10.2% in South Africa SA and by 6.5% in the UK. Net property operating income up 11.1% SA and 5.0% UK. Closing occupancy was 91.8% higher in South Africa up 94.0%and the UK 83.9%. The investment property value was up 6.0% to R12 billion. The number of trading properties increased from 99 to 108, with the total portfolio including developments now exceeding 700 000m² gross leasable area. The…

Pride Month serves as both a jubilant celebration and a call to action, encouraging individuals to reflect on the significant contributions and struggles of queer and transgender people. As we embrace the vibrancy of this period, it is essential to foster conversations about inclusion, justice, and the varied experiences within the LGBTQ+ community. One of the most impactful ways to engage with these themes is through literature, which can provide insight, provoke thought, and inspire change. This season marks an opportunity for book lovers of all genres and ages to delve into a selection of powerful narratives and truths. Whether your preference leans towards fiction or non-fiction, there is something for everyone that mirrors the realities and aspirations of the LGBTQ+ community. A wide array of titles reflect fierce and…

North West province facing Foot and Mouth Disease An outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) has hit livestock farms in the North West province, prompting emergency containment measures, quarantine orders and a national industry-wide response to stop the spread of the highly contagious animal virus. The provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development confirmed that two separate incidents of FMD were detected in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, within the JB Marks Local Municipality. One of the outbreaks was flagged by a private veterinarian who observed suspicious symptoms during a routine farm visit. Samples tested at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute confirmed the presence of the virus. In a second case, the disease was picked up at an abattoir in Madibeng. While the animals showed no symptoms during the ante-mortem…

Residents in at least 11 suburbs in Pretoria North will experience a three-day power outage starting today owing to the City of Tshwane’s planned maintenance and efficiency tests at the Wolmer and K1 substations. This comes as the city’s Energy and Electricity Department’s team of technicians embarks on planned audits and tests on the efficiency of both substations from June 17 to June 19. This is nearly a month after an unknown group of attackers vandalised the Wolmer substation in Onderstepoort, plunging residents into darkness. Municipal spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said that the maintenance was necessary for safety reasons and to identify areas for improvement in electricity supply management. He said the municipality would shut down the power supply to both affected substations in the interest of safety and lack of…

The City of Tshwane’s R5.3 billion budget allocation to the Community Safety Department for the next financial year, starting July 1, will enhance public safety. The budget allocation includes R3 million for upgrading three key satellite fire stations in Ga-Rankuwa, Cullinan, and Soshanguve. ActionSA president Herman Mashaba recently visited a fire station in Soshanguve, where he discovered that two out of three fire trucks had been out of commission for years, posing a risk to the local community. The station also faces other challenges, including non-functional ablution facilities, broken gym equipment, laundry machines that have been awaiting repair since last year, and a male shower without hot water. Section 79 chairperson for community safety, Neo Mocumi, said a significant portion of the budget, R565m, would go towards protecting municipal assets,…

THE identity of the Proteas teams, be it in the white-ball or Test arenas, has always been founded in resilience. But as admirable as the trait is for the team, it has somehow cost the team in many instances. After all, to show resilience, you have to take damage – absorb the first punch, instead of being the one to land the first punch or inflict the damage. In recent years, Proteas teams have worked tirelessly to address this challenge. Little did they know that the international schedule, despite it not being in favour of South Africa in terms of the number of Tests played as compared to the big three – India, England and Australia – would help accelerate their process in redefining the meaning of resilience for the…