Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-07-09 i Star

The Vodacom-Maziv deal got a breath of new life after the Competition Commission reached agreement with the parties on conditions that remedy competition and public interest concerns. The matter will now proceed to the Competition Appeal Court on an unopposed basis and the Commission will inform the Court how the enhanced conditions address the concerns it previously raised with the proposed transaction. Vodacom announced in 2021 that it would pay R6 billion in cash and in certain fibre assets valued at R4.2 billion for a 30% stake in Maziv (Business Venture Investments no 2213), the parent company of Dark Fibre Africa and Vumatel. The Competition Tribunal last October had blocked the proposed merger. However, on Tuesday the Commission said it has reached an agreement with Vodacom and Maziv on revised…

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen on Tuesday said the department's mission was to build a food system that was inclusive, competitive and sustainable. Steenhuisen highlighted the potential of this sector to generate jobs, contribute to economic growth, strengthen exports, and revitalise rural economies. “On the other side, we confront persistent risks: climate shocks, high input costs, biosecurity failures, land degradation, weak infrastructure, and uneven access to markets and finance,” he said. Steenhuisen added that there was also a human reality behind the figures—of smallholder farmers locked out of opportunity, of families facing food insecurity, of veterinary professionals overburdened and under-resourced, and of a nation that too often reacts to crisis rather than prepare for it. “This budget is designed to change that trajectory,” he said. Steenhuisen said that for the…

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has set forth a strategic vision for the National Treasury aimed at achieving sustainable public finances, including wide-ranging spending reviews, while enhancing the effectiveness of revenue collection. The department's budget for the medium term stands at R91.835 billion, reflecting an average growth rate of 6.2% from 2024/25 to 2027/28. The largest portion of this budget of R45.760 billion (49.8%) is earmarked for transfers to the South African Revenue Service (Sars). This allocation marks an R8bn increase over the 2024 Estimate of Expenditure, highlighting the government’s commitment to bolster Sars' operational and capital projects, which are pivotal in recovering the country’s revenue streams. "Part of this increase is to improve effectiveness in revenue collection by enhancing theirability to collect debt through better systems, increasing staff capacity and…

South African businesses are increasingly seeking independence from Eskom due to its reliability issues, and the steady, multi-digit annual tariff increases the utility is imposing. While cost savings are a primary concern, power stability is equally critical, as remaining dependent on Eskom's ageing coal fleet and underperforming mega power stations like Medupi and Kusile is no longer viable. These factors, combined with the global shift to significantly reducing emissions and trying to achieve Net Zero targets, and the ability to provide energy that is clean, available, and affordable, leading the clean and just energy transition has made renewable energy, particularly solar and wind with battery storage the logical path forward. South Africa has made significant strides in integrating renewables through the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, designed to…

Volkswagen South Africa’s (VWSA) recent agreement to become the sole global manufacturer of the VW Polo—producing both left and right-hand drive models for all markets—offers a beacon of hope for the struggling Eastern Cape Province. This announcement comes on the heels of alarming news from Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA), which has indicated that the newly imposed 30% tariffs on exports to the United States may force the company to exit the country entirely. During a briefing by the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape Provincial Treasuries, acting Premier Mlungusi Mvalo expressed grave concerns about the potential departure of MBSA. Mvoko said Mercedes Benz had indicated that it would likely leave the country with the composition of the 30% tariffs, adding that this would be devastating for the province’s economy. The factory…

The threat of higher tariffs on BRICS nations by US President Donald Trump has sparked a heated debate about the future of global trade and economic stability. According to Trump, BRICS, conceived two decades ago as a forum for fast-growing economies, and its growth and expansion posed a threat to US dominance in the global economy. At a recent summit in Rio de Janeiro, the 11-nation bloc, which included South Africa Brazil, Russia, India, and China, criticised Trump's imposed tariffs. In response, Trump accused the group of "anti-Americanism" and pledged an additional 10 percent tariff on their goods. President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned Trump's threat, saying efforts to "punish" the bloc were disappointing. "BRICS does not seek to compete with any other power," Ramaphosa said on Monday. "The bloc advocates…

The Tsomo Magistrates’ Court has handed down a stern sentence to traditional nurse Siyasanga Sifumba, aged 30, who has been sentenced to two years of direct imprisonment for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) on an initiate under his supervision during the recent 2024 summer initiation season. The court has also deemed Sifumba, who is already a convicted assailant, unfit to possess a firearm, in a landmark decision that has raised alarm about the safety of boys undergoing traditional initiation. Sifumba’s conviction comes on the back of a horrifying case that unfolded late last year. He was arrested in December 2024 after an 18-year-old initiate was hospitalised due to severe injuries sustained from multiple assaults at the initiation school where Sifumba was entrusted with his care. The…

Besides being released on a warning, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed that it will continue its investigation against former PSL referee Andile “Ace” Ncobo, who yesterday was released on a warning after his partner withdrew assault and GBVH charges against him. According to the NPA, Ncobo was arrested on domestic violence charges on June 28. Ncobo is reported to have assaulted his girlfriend, an incident that was allegedly witnessed by a minor in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, last month. Yesterday, Ncobo appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court, where Magistrate Bella Letoaba stated that after the victim furnished the court with an affidavit and withdrawal statements, the court was satisfied that, in the interest of justice, Ncobo should be released on a warning and not bail. Meanwhile, the NPA…

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has announced its intention to table a proposal before Parliament and the Constitutional Review Committee to rename South Africa as the Republic of Azania. According to the party, the move is a part of a broader project of national decolonisation. The proposal has sparked debate across political, public and social media spheres. ATM president and parliamentary leader Vuyo Zungula argues that the name South Africa is a colonial imposition, created through the Union of South Africa in 1910 by the British and the Boers. “Before 1652, we were not South Africans,” he said. “The name comes from a colonial structure created to further the oppression of indigenous people. It is time we reclaim our identity.” Zungula went further to draw comparisons with other post-colonial nations…

Bids amounting to just over R8 million were made in the high-profile auction of luxury vehicles and a tour bus seized from businesswoman and Royal AM Football Club owner Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize amid ongoing action by the South African Revenue Service (Sars) against her and associated interests. The online auction, which ran from June 27 to July 2 on the Bidders Choice platform, was according to recent reports part of efforts by Sars to recover over R37m in unpaid business taxes associated with Mkhize, the Shandi Trust, and football club Royal AM. Held under the instruction of a court-appointed curator, the auction included 14 lots, comprising 13 vehicles and one branded bus. Bidders were required to register with a refundable deposit of R50 000 and were allowed to view the…

A Road Accident Fund advertisement, aired on a Sunday during the Comrades Marathon, showing a body in a morgue with a toe tag with the words “Car Accident” and a voice warning “Your trip should not end here”, was the subject of a complaint before the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB). The advertisement, which is a message conveyed by the RAF for safe driving, sparked a complaint by a viewer, who said family viewing, such as the Comrades Marathon, should be safe spaces and free of distress to young viewers, such as his child, who saw it. The directorate of the ARB remarked that as this commercial was broadcast on a Sunday afternoon, during an international sporting event, it can be assumed that children may well be watching television with their…

The issue of SAPS officers being found under the influence of alcohol is deeply concerning. Unfortunately, this problem continues to persist, despite ongoing public concern, and it significantly undermines the integrity of the police force. Such behaviour does a disservice to the many dedicated individuals who aspire to serve their communities and our country. Numerous incidents have highlighted this ongoing challenge. For instance, a video that circulated on social media in 2021 showed an allegedly intoxicated SAPS officer passed out on the side of the road. In another instance, a police officer was seen struggling to speak while sitting on a public bench and then fell backwards onto the ground. More recently, we encountered a TikTok video allegedly showing a police officer appearing to be intoxicated. Additionally, a few years…

BANYANA Banyana are on course to emulate their previous success at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after starting the tournament strongly. Banyana beat Ghana 2-0 at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco, Monday as they climbed to the top of Group C. The Desiree Ellis-coached team wrapped up the match in the first half, courtesy of Linda Motlhalo’s penalty and a close-range finish from Jermaine Seoposenwe. Banyana breathed a heavy sigh of relief after the victory as they arrived at the tournament with the odds stacked against them defending their title. The players had staged a stay-in upon their arrival in Casablanca, citing they were owed money by the South African Football Association (Safa) relating to preparation friendlies. Upon returning to training, they were inadvertently impacted by the expiry…

Tadej Pogacar blew past his rivals in an “explosive” finish to win Stage 4 of the Tour de France in Rouen yesterday, marking the Slovenian star's 100th professional victory. “That was really pure, classic Tour de France-style explosive,” said a jubilant Pogacar after the stage. Despite the dramatic win, Pogacar fell just short of taking the yellow jersey, which remains with Dutch powerhouse Mathieu van der Poel, who finished second on the day. Reigning champion Jonas Vingegaard crossed the line in third. It was Pogacar’s 18th Tour de France stage win, as the 26-year-old continues his pursuit of a fourth overall title. “There was big adrenaline and a big field of contenders,” he said. “It was really special today.” The closing 40km of the 174.2km route from Amiens to Rouen…

High tariffs imposed by the US on South African exports from August 1 will be a blow that will further de-industrialise South Africa, kill economic growth, and cause further unemployment, Efficient Group chief economist Dawie Roodt said yesterday. Speaking in an online discussion held by the Motor Industry Staff Association of South Africa (MISA) about the US’s plans to resume its threat of 30% import tariffs for South African goods, Roodt said the tariffs will result in lower investment into South Africa and will impact manufacturing and agriculture particularly, sectors that are among the most capable of growing job opportunities in the country. He said while South Africa’s participation in the US’s Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) later this year was not formally over and uncertain - Agoa allows…

In a time of global uncertainty and fierce industrial competition, South Africa must decide whether it wants to remain an industrialised economy with strategic capabilities – or become a mere consumer of others’ manufactured goods. The answer lies, in part, in whether we choose to preserve and modernise our domestic primary steel capacity. Although the steel industry in South Africa has been damaged by the realities of the past four years, there are some early signs of revival. As the only integrated producer of flat and long steel in South Africa, ArcelorMittal South Africa (Amsa) is an irreplaceable part of that recovery and a national asset. And its preservation is a critical investment in the country’s reindustrialisation, job creation, and economic sovereignty. Primary steelmaking matters because it adds value at…

In her recent budget speech, Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy provides a breadth of fresh air towards revitalising South Africa’s not-so-healthy transport system in becoming resilient and efficient, alive to the needs and operating environment of the current and future economy. The Minister's policy speech illuminated a signal of South Africa’s intended transport trajectory and further announced the eminent revision of the Green Transport Strategy (GTS). That is a demonstration of a renewed political will towards the transformation of our transportation sector that is geared towards a just, sustainable, and low-carbon mobility - equitably serving people, the planet and the economy. The budget speech’s reaffirmation of the Department of Transport’s (DOT) draft Just Transition Plan is a promising recognition of the socio-economic and justice complexities inherent in moving toward sustainable…

Orion Minerals’ share price shot up 7.1% on the JSE Tuesday morning after it announced plans to issue shares and raise about R67 million to further its Prieska Copper Zinc Mine (PCZM). The funds raised from the placement and share purchase plan will be used mainly to partially fund the development of the Uppers at the PCZM, including ongoing dewatering and site works; for mine development optimisation studies, and ongoing site works at the Okiep Copper Project, the Australia and Johannesburg-listed company said in a notice Tuesday. The funds will also be used for general working capital purposes, including work associated with the finalisation of off-take related funding for the development of PCZM. Typically, company share prices fall when a share issue-for-cash is announced, so the higher share price indicates…

Cerebrium, a serverless AI infrastructure platform founded in Cape Town, has announced a successful $8.5 million (R151.35m) seed funding round, led by Gradient, Google’s AI venture fund, with participation from Y Combinator, Authentic Ventures, and several strategic angel investors and operators. “It’s a remarkable milestone for South African tech, as local founders secure backing from one of the most influential AI investors in the world,” a statement from Cerebrium said Tuesday. The company and its AI platform have pioneered technical advancements that enable teams to build and scale multimodal AI applications without the traditional complexity or cost. Founded in Cape Town and now headquartered in New York City, this new funding will allow the team at Cerebrium to invest in new features and meet surging enterprise demand. The company was…

Former Police Minister Bheki Cele is now implicated in the police corruption scandal involving Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala. Cele stayed in a luxury penthouse suite owned by controversial businessman Matlala just days before Matlala’s company was awarded a R360 million SAPS health services tender. The stay took place in January at The Capital Menlyn Maine, a hotel in Pretoria. The penthouse is one of the city’s most exclusive accommodations, complete with private lift access, round-the-clock concierge service, and sweeping skyline views. Matlala personally arranged the stay, and Cele was confirmed as the guest. The visit was not logged through official SAPS or government channels, and there is no record of state funds being used. Only a week after Cele stepped down as Police Minister, SAPS confirmed that Matlala’s company had been…

A traffic officer serving a 10-year jail sentence for attempted murder following a road rage incident in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, appealed his conviction and sentence as he argued his passenger fired the shots and not him. Nhlanhla Tshabalala turned to the Pietermaritzburg High Court in a bid to appeal his conviction on three charges of attempted murder and his subsequent sentence meted out by the Newcastle Region Court. The issue of the doctrine of common purpose came under the judicial spotlight during the appeal, with Tshabalala arguing that he cannot be held accountable for his passenger’s actions. One of the injured people in the other car, Bonginkosi Zondi, testified that on the day in question, he was driving with his wife and another passenger, Dumisani Buthelezi. It was getting dark, and…

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has dismissed the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) criminal charges against Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane as “opportunistic,” saying she acted within her rights in appointing members to SETA boards. Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Monday, Mbalula said the DA’s move lacked legal grounding and amounted to “performative politics.” “The minister – did she lie? We say no, she didn’t lie. She went to Parliament and gave the information,” said Mbalula. He maintained that in terms of the Skills Development Act of 1998, the minister is legally empowered to appoint members, including chairpersons, to the accounting authority of the SETAs. “The law is very clear on this matter. If others say ministers have not admitted errors or apologised – that person is a…

Seasoned specialist investigator Mike Bolhuis has praised the courage displayed by KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi who singled out Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, deputy national police commissioner, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya in the rot crippling policing in South Africa. “Crime can only flourish when there is police involvement. Over the years, it has been proven that crime pays, and that is why everyone gets onto the bandwagon. If you look away and don’t do anything about it (crime), which I understand those in the police do not do anything about because they could be killed, they could not be promoted and they could be dealt with severely and in other ways. “We see this now coming to this, a level where any unit that is just in…

The DA in Tshwane has dismissed claims that its former ward 98 councillor Nosipho Mtakati was removed from her position for being a sangoma. The DA said Mtakati, who is set to contest the ward 98 by-election tomorrow under the EFF banner, was actually expelled from the DA due to poor performance and allegations of being intoxicated on multiple occasions. The allegations that Mtakati was removed from the DA due to her sangoma practices emerged during a campaign stop ahead of the by-election, where both Matakati and EFF regional leader Obakeng Ramabodu made the claim. Ramabodu accused the DA of actively pursuing a campaign to replace black leaders at both national and local government levels, adding that Mtakati’s removal from the party stemmed from her being a sangoma. “We took…

If families truly thrived and functioned well outside the presence and participation of men in the family structure, would creation and evolution have designed reproduction differently? From the genesis and formation of life and a biological standpoint, women need to procreate with men to form a foetus. Men can continue to father children throughout their lives, unlike women, who have a limited fertile window. Biology may make fathers indispensable for conception, but what about upbringing? Contemporary data suggests their ongoing presence matters just as much. While children may come into the world through the procreation of two, they ultimately are born into and for a community. The quality of the father is not absent from the contributions and the environment in which the father finds themselves or chooses. According…

World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka fought back from the brink of a shock Wimbledon exit to reach the semi-finals with a gutsy 4–6, 6–2, 6–4 victory over Germany’s Laura Siegemund yesterday. Sabalenka twice trailed by a break in the final set on Centre Court and was just two games from defeat before staging a stirring revival to win in two hours and 54 minutes of relentless tension. The 27-year-old Belarusian is into the semi-finals at the All England Club for the third time, having previously fallen at that stage in 2021 and 2023. Beaten in the Australian and French Open finals earlier this year after claiming the 2024 US Open crown, Sabalenka remains on track to contest a fourth consecutive Grand Slam final. She will face either American 13th seed…

Maumo Gallants chairman Abram Sello is like a cat with nine lives – he continues to survive the whirlwind of businessmen who buy a PSL status only to fail in the end. Sello burst into the local football scene in 2021 after buying the status of Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila who had just bought Bidvest Wits. His joy in top-flight football was short-lived due to poor administration, resulting in Gallants being relegated to the second-tier division after two seasons. Sello’s bogus administration then included being unable to cater for the team’s needs during their CAF Confederation Cup's campaign. This resulted in two club officials being detained in Libya due to the money Sello owed to a notorious businessman who had footed his hotel bill. Before the season ended, the club and…

WHEN Wiaan Mulder’s professional career started, he was still a high school student at St Stithians. His skill was good enough to start his professional career with the Lions. However, at 18 years old, Mulder had a long way to go and entering the Lions dressing room would have been intimidating for any youngster. Mulder needed a mentor, an experienced Lions player who would take him under his wing and show him the ropes as a professional cricketer. Lions captain, Dominic Hendricks, became that mentor for Mulder. In an exclusive interview with Independent Media, Hendricks highlighted how Mulder’s preparation was undercooked when he burst onto the professional set-up and how their chat helped him (Mulder) raise his training standards to meet what is required to succeed at the highest level.…

Beginning August 1, the Trump Administration will levy a staggering 30% tariff on all SA products entering the US Industry players have warned of the wide-ranging implications resulting from the hefty import tariffs imposed by the United States on the country’s products. Beginning August 1, the Trump Administration levied a staggering 30% tariff on all South African products entering the US, potentially reversing the many benefits gained under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa). Economists and industry leaders are concerned that this sweeping tariff policy, which applies indiscriminately to “any and all South African products,” could spell disaster for key sectors reliant on the US market. Major South African exports to the US include precious stones and metals, motor vehicles, parts and accessories; iron and steel, machinery; aluminium products,…

South Africa is facing a looming economic crisis following the United States' announcement of a sweeping 30% tariff on its exports - a move that has sparked widespread concern among trade unions, political leaders, and business analysts. Cosatu Parliamentary Coordinator, Matthew Parks, on Tuesday said Cosatu is deeply concerned about the 30% tariff announced by US President Donald Trump, because it will have a devastating impact on the economy that has been languishing at 1% growth rate and a shockingly high unemployment rate of 43.1%,. Sectors that will be hard hit include the automotive, agriculture, clothing, chemical and jewelery. "Worryingly, the impact of the impending tariff is already being felt in the Eastern Cape with 900 jobs on the line at Good Year SA and Mercedes Benz "temporarily" shutting down…

The G20 group accounts for 67% of the world’s population, 85% of global gross domestic product, and 75% of global trade. The member states are the G7 (the US, Japan, Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Canada), plus Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Russia, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina. We wanted to find out how G20 member states could limit global warming. Our study examined the solar and wind potential for each of G20 member countries (the available land and solar and wind conditions). We then compared this with projected electricity demands for 2050. This is, to our knowledge, the first research of its kind. We found that the potential for renewable energy in G20 countries is very high – enough to supply the projected…

British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA) has pointed the finger at local manufacturers for exacerbating the illicit trade in cigarettes. Their claims come on the back of a study released by the company, shedding light on the alarming prevalence of illegal cigarette sales in the country. This issue, which was once largely perceived as a cross-border problem, has now morphed into a serious domestic challenge that threatens the economy and public health. Speaking after the release of a BATSA-commissioned study into the pricing of tobacco cigarettes in South Africa on Tuesday, Johny Moloto, the company’s head of corporate and regulatory affairs said illicit trade in cigarettes was now a domestic concern for the country. “This is no longer just a cross-border issue. This is a homegrown crisis, fueled by local…

Uber Technologies investors are brushing aside potential threats from self-driving competition to bet that the company has plenty of room to expand in the near term. Uber shares have rallied 60% to a record this year as partnerships with robotaxi startups like Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo and growth in new markets have given bulls reasons to cheer after the stock underperformed in 2024. The advance has made Uber the seventh-best S&P 500 performer in 2025. “They’ve done a great job expanding their addressable markets by adding things like grocery, convenience, alcohol,” said Jamie Meyers, senior equities analyst at Laffer Tengler Investments Inc. Such moves, however, haven’t fully assuaged concerns about long-term risks from robotaxi services like Waymo, which is operating independently in three cities - San Francisco, Phoenix and Los Angeles…

Catch Puppet Power, the national tour by comedy duo Conrad Koch and Chester Missing, coming to the Pieter Toerien Theatre at Montecasino for a limited run from Thursday. Ahead of the show, Independent Media Lifestyle caught up with Koch to unpack his journey in the industry, especially with his socio-political commentary that has left Mzansi in stitches. When asked how the evolution of current affairs-driven comedy influenced his latest show, Puppet Power, he said: “With the rise of TikTok and other high-reach, high-impact social media, we as comedians have tools we never dreamed of. “And in this watershed moment in history as far as conversations on race and colonialism globally and in SA, and the influence of the billionaire class turning even Donald Trump and Cyril Ramaphosa into puppets of…

A boundary wall which was built more than 22 years ago, which was erected on the incorrect boundary line, resulting in a portion of one neighbour’s property being encroached upon, now became the subject of a legal tussle between the neighbours. The long-standing neighbour dispute concerning two adjoining residential properties landed in the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg. The neighbour whose property is being encroached upon, the trustees of the Red Cherry Trust, wants the offending wall to be demolished. The encroaching neighbour, Natalie Maroun (the applicant), has since offered the trust compensation, which it did not accept. Maroun does not want the wall to be demolished and turned to court where she proposes either an encroachment servitude or transfer of the encroached area with compensation paid to the trust. Both…

A South African BEE firm’s R39 million damages claim against a French multi national company in South Africa is in limbo amid acquisition talks. The case involves a R115m biometrics tender awarded by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) to French firm IDEMIA two years ago with local BEE firm, INFOVERGE being given 30% of the contract. However, shortly after clinching the deal, the two parties fell out with IDEMIA withdrawing INFOVERGE as their local partner. INFOVERGE then challenged this, resulting in the contract being cancelled by ACSA and INFOVERGE subsequently suing IDEMIA for R115m in damages over their losses. Following months of a protracted legal battle, the matter has now stalled, explains INFOVERGE CEO, Musa Mahlaba when approached for an update on their legal challenge. “We’ve been told that the…

Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng, said that the committee remains concerned about the number of foreign nationals in the country’s prisons, and ideally wants them to serve out their sentences in their own countries. Ramolobeng was addressing the media and stakeholders at the Peace and Security Cluster Committee Chairpersons’ briefing on Monday, July 7. Ramolobeng began her address by saying that the committee was pleased with the Department of Correctional Services reviewing the Correctional Services Act, 111 of 1998, as it will allow them to provide input on areas that they believe should be amended or strengthened, including Section 73 of the Act, which deals with the management of foreign national inmates in the country’s facilities. “We heard during the budget debate that the…

The University of Zululand-based political analyst, Professor Sipho Seepe, said that President Cyril Ramaphosa will find it difficult to act against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu because of the Phala Phala scandal. Weighing in on the explosive revelations by KwaZulu-Natal provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who alleged that Mchunu is in the pocket of the Gauteng crime syndicates, Professor Seepe said the problem is that Ramaphosa is not a neutral bystander in crime fighting and cannot act without being reminded of his sins. “The allegations made by General Mkhwanazi against the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, are very serious and are likely to exacerbate factional divisions within the ruling party since Ramaphosa does not enter this quagmire as a neutral bystander. The Phala Phala scandal is still hovering over his…

R250 million has been allocated to school sports programmes in the country despite the challenges the programme faces. Yesterday, the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture received a briefing from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) and the Department of Basic Education (DBE) on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to integrate sports and cultural activities into the school curriculum across the country. Dr.Cynthia Khumalo, Acting Director General DSAC stated that challenges in the joint implementation of the school sport programme include inadequate sport infrastructure in schools in previously disadvantaged communities. She said this limits participation and with the support of the DBE, they can unlock the resources to build more infrastructure in schools. Other challenges include inadequate funding; stakeholder management and cooperation; duplication of…

The Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held in Changsha, central China’s Hunan province. The Changsha meeting, held last month, invoked the spirit of Bandung, calling on the Global South to unite in confronting contemporary global instability embedded in historical structural injustices that have exploited disunity within the Global South. China is the world’s second-largest economy, while the African continent is home to the largest number of developing countries. With an estimated combined population of over three billion people, Africa and China together form the backbone of the Global South, and a significant demographic and economic share of the world. While the two sides have immensely strengthened diplomatic and economic ties over the past two decades, and…

BEFORE departing for Zimbabwe after the emotion of scaling their Everest by winning the World Test Championship at Lord’s, Proteas coach Shukri Conrad would have made a mental note of the objectives he hoped his team would achieve in the land of Chevrons. Much of it would have been to get his players back to ground zero, and that the youngsters, afforded an opportunity in the absence of several starters from the WTC Final, would take their chances to deepen the talent pool that Conrad has to select from for the prospective tougher contests in the subcontinent later this year. The boxes were duly ticked with Conrad pleased his team maintained their high-performance levels throughout both Test matches. “I think the important and the most impressive thing for me was…

Liverpool’s stars returned to training yesterday for the first time since the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota. The Premier League champions had postponed the start of their pre-season schedule after Jota, 28, and his brother André Silva were killed in a car crash in northern Spain last Thursday. Manager Arne Slot and several senior members of the squad, led by captain Virgil van Dijk, attended Jota’s funeral in his hometown of Gondomar, near Porto, on Saturday. Among the players pictured arriving at the AXA Training Centre were Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Conor Bradley, and Wataru Endo, as the club resumed preparations under difficult emotional circumstances. Salah paid tribute to his team-mate on Instagram, admitting he was dreading the return to Melwood without Jota. “Team-mates come and go, but not…