Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-08-01 i Star

August 1, 2025, marks the dawn of a new era for South Africa, albeit a troubling one, as a hefty 30% export tariff to the United States came into effect. This significant policy change has sent ripples through the nation’s economy, stirring anxiety among businesses and consumers alike. With no agreement in sight to prevent this trade burden, South Africans are bracing themselves for the ramifications on both local markets and international trade relations. US President Donald Trump last month announced that his administration would levy a staggering 30% tariff on all South African products entering the US, with some exclusions or reduced tariffs on metals and minerals, in a bid to address long-standing trade imbalances and unfair market restrictions. South Africa exports billions of rands’ worth of goods to…

MTN Nigeria, the biggest subsidiary of the South African telecoms provider, experienced robust demand in the second quarter and saw a sharp turnaround in first-half profit as the West African economy began to stabilise. “The macroeconomic conditions in Nigeria showed notable improvements (six months to June 30), including a relatively stable naira, improved foreign exchange (forex) liquidity and easing inflationary pressures,” said MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola. This follows recent economic instability during which many South African companies suffered foreign exchange-related losses, in particular, from their operations in Nigeria. MTN Nigeria posted a N414.9 billion net profit in the first half of 2025, a dramatic turnaround from the N519.1bn loss in the first half of 2024. “Building on momentum from the first quarter, we delivered strong growth in service revenue…

Woolworths Holdings has warned that its adjusted headline earnings per share (aHEPS) will fall between 17% and 22% for the year to June 29 after a restructuring impacted its Australian business, and despite continued revenue growth in South Africa. The grocery and fashion, health and beauty retailer warned in a trading statement Thursday that aHEPS will likely be between 292.8 cents to 311.6 cents, compared with 375.4 cents at the same time last year. As of this month, more than 24 000 Woolworths employees have access to health insurance, the first group in the retail sector to offer benefits of this scale. Turnover for the group increased by 6.4% and concessional sales by 7.3% in the 52 weeks to June 29, despite the tough macroeconomic conditions and significant uncertainty arising…

While many South Africans are doing their best to save, too few understand the difference between budgeting, saving, and financial planning. As a result, they often end up using their savings to cover everyday expenses, leading to frustration, shortfalls, and savings that vanish by month-end. This confusion is one of the biggest barriers to long-term financial well-being in the country. The problem is that many people believe saving alone is enough, but without a financial plan that shapes their daily habits and future goals, those savings are not sustainable. They disappear, and then there is no structure to rebuild them. That is where people get stuck, reacting instead of planning. Recent data from the FSCA’s Retail Financial Customer Behaviour and Sentiment Report supports this. The report shows that most people…

A historic ruling has strengthened the rights of civilians in their interactions with police officers. The High Court of Johannesburg has decided that civilians are allowed to question and record videos of police officers without fear of arrest. This follows the unlawful arrest of an attorney known as Jacobs for recording a video of a stop near his house. According to court documents, Jacobs stated that he returned home from work around 8pm on March 1, 2019, to find that police had set up a roadblock in front of his gate. However, he was permitted to drive into his yard. Jacobs then went inside his house and chatted with his wife about the disruption produced by the roadblock before approaching the police to see if they would be willing to…

The Pretoria Magistrates’ Court has sentenced 32-year-old Thabo Xolani Masoka to life imprisonment for raping an 11-year-old girl with Down syndrome. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said Masoka resided in the same block of flats as the victim and her mother. The incident occurred on 18 September 2022. “The victim was with her mother, at the mother’s salon on the premises, when, at approximately 7:45 pm, the mother began locking up,” said Lumka Mahanjana, Gauteng regional spokesperson for the NPA. The victim began walking home, but minutes later, her mother returned to their flat and realised the child was missing. “With assistance from other residents, she searched for her daughter,” said Mahanjana. A witness reported seeing the little girl walking with Masoka to his flat. “The mother and residents confronted…

The Eastern Cape Organised Crime Unit has launched an investigation into a case of extortion after a threatening note was discovered at Dalibhunga Senior Secondary School on July 26. According to Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, the note, which was allegedly from an extortionist group, demanded a monthly “protection fee”. “Teachers at the school discovered a threatening note on the premises. The note demanded a monthly ‘protection fee’ of R1 000 from each teacher,” said Gantana. Due to the organised and serious nature of the threat, Gantana stated that the case has been escalated to the Eastern Cape Provincial Organised Crime Unit. No arrests have been made at this stage. The police have urged the school community to remain vigilant. “SAPS urges school staff, learners, and the community…

ANC in Limpopo has confirmed that former MP Boy Mamabolo remains a member of the party, despite the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) rejecting his attempt to register a new political party, Mandela for President. The IEC recently denied the application over concerns that the party’s name and its green-and-black branding could mislead voters into associating it with the late former president Nelson Mandela or the ANC. The commission also mentioned a failure to meet basic registration requirements, including the submission of the required number of valid signatures and discrepancies in the party’s founding documents. ANC Limpopo provincial secretary general Reuben Madadzhe addressed the issue on Monday during a media briefing following the party’s Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting at Frans Mohlala House in Polokwane. “The matter is being handled at…

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has threatened to take to the streets following the ruling made by the Constitutional Court, which has unanimously dismissed the party’s case challenging President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to put police minister Senzo Mchunu on leave of absence, appoint Prof Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister and establish the Madlanga commission of inquiry. The decision of the court, which has denied Zuma and the party direct access, after the party approached the apex court to challenge the appointment of Cachalia as acting police minister and Mchunu’s being placed on a leave of absence, has not been welcomed with its spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela saying the party will let South Africans determine their next cause of action. “We might have to consider taking the matter to the street.…

Just a few days after the passing of rock icon Ozzy Osbourne, it has been announced that his final memoir, Last Rites, will be published posthumously on October 7 through Grand Central Publishing, a division of the Hachette Book Group. Osbourne, who died earlier this month, completed work on the memoir shortly before his death. The book offers a raw and unfiltered look into the final chapter of his extraordinary life – one filled with personal battles, musical triumphs and moments of reflection. According to the publisher, Last Rites is “udnflinching, brutally honest, but surprisingly life-affirming.” It captures Osbourne’s thoughts on ageing, illness and mortality, while also revisiting pivotal moments from his career and personal life. The memoir dives deep into the health battles that plagued his final years –…

Ten municipalities have been fingered for failing to pay salaries of municipal employees in at least five provinces since April this year. The implicated municipalities are located in KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, North West, Mpumalanga, and the Northern Cape. The culprits are Mafube, Kopanong, Mohokare, Impendle, Jozini, Nkomazi, Thaba Chweu, !Kheis, Ditsobotla, and Mamusa local municipalities. Kopanong, Thaba Chweu, and Ditsobotla local municipalities have a history of non-payment of employee salaries, as they had been experiencing the same issue during the 2024/25 financial year. This was revealed by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, when he responded in writing to parliamentary questions from EFF MP Constance Nonhlanhla Mkhonto. He explained that a municipal manager was responsible for the management of the expenditure of the municipality, and was…

Each year, World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, commemorated on July 30, reminds South Africa of the urgent need to confront human trafficking, a crime that flourishes in secrecy and preys on the country’s more vulnerable. The 2025 theme, ‘Human Trafficking is Organised Crime: End exploitation’, highlights the organised, systematic nature of trafficking and the urgent need to dismantle the powerful criminal networks behind it. Human trafficking in South Africa is a complex, hidden crime embedded within organised criminal networks. It encompasses sex trafficking, forced labour, domestic servitude, organ smuggling, illegal adoption, debt bondage, forced surrogacy and even the use of body parts in traditional rituals. South Africa is both a source and destination for trafficking, with victims trafficked within its borders and from neighbouring countries like Lesotho, Mozambique, Malawi…

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus says the first week of the team’s conditioning camp in Johannesburg has laid a solid foundation for the forthcoming Rugby Championship, and momentum will be accelerated when the players reassemble on Sunday. The team wrapped up the first block of training on Thursday and will spend the weekend with their families before reporting for duty again in a few days, where they will continue to build on their structures for the opening leg of the tournament. The Boks play back-to-back Test matches against the Wallabies in Johannesburg on Saturday, August 16, and Cape Town on August 23. “We had an intense week of conditioning to get the players ready for what will undoubtedly be a challenging Rugby Championship campaign against some of the top teams in…

Not in his wildest dreams did Nkosinathi Sibisi imagine it’d get this big. So, after surpassing his expectations, the 29-year-old credits patience and hard work. Sibisi was officially announced as the club captain of Orlando Pirates early this week after a secret voting process by his teammates. He will join an elite class of former captains which includes club legends Lucky Lekgwathi, Happy Jele and Innocent Maela. Sibisi admitted he wasn’t expecting such a prominent role at the club, insisting he arrived as someone who only wanted to realise a childhood dream and play for the team. “It is a great privilege and an honour for me to be the captain of such a big institution, Orlando Pirates,” Sibisi explained. “As a young boy, I never thought in my wildest…

Experienced campaigners Ayanda Malinga, Danelle Lochner, and Lindelwa Gwala are back in the Springbok Women matchday squad for Saturday’s second match against the Black Ferns XV. Coach Swys de Bruin has once more tweaked his combinations for the Bok Women’s final match before the World Cup in England next month. Malinga, who scored a try against Canada in Gqeberha three weeks ago, returns to the left wing after being declared fit following a shoulder strain. At the same time, Lochner, who also played in that match, has recovered from a facial fracture to run out at Athlone Stadium this weekend. Lindelwa Gwala, the Springbok Women’s most experienced hooker with 35 Test caps, returns after she missed both Tests against Canada. Byrhandré Dolf also returns to the starting team after sitting…

The big question ahead of Saturday’s final Test match between the British and Irish Lions and Australia in Sydney is: who wants it more? Few will be more glued to their screens than Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, as the teams contest a dead rubber match. The Lions are 2-0 up in the series and have said they would love to make it three-zip — but do they want it that much? And will the Aussies be able to replicate their magnificent showing last week, when they came within 30 seconds of levelling the series? The Wallabies delivered their best performance in more than four years to almost upset a Lions side that had been in a different class in the first Test. Nobody saw an Australian revival coming, but it…

ArcelorMittal South Africa’s interim headline loss was virtually unchanged at R1.01 billion, non-core asset sales may be necessary and the closure of the Longs business in Vereniging next month is still on the cards. All this bad news sent the beleaguered steel maker’s share price tumbling 7.4% on the JSE late Thursday afternoon to R1.00. The price has fallen steadily from R1.36 a year ago. “Subdued market demand, disruptive rail and electricity interruptions (with a R358m cost impact), and aggressive import penetration placed significant pressure on volumes and margins. Domestic sales volumes fell 10%, and exports by 13%, while long steel imports, predominantly from Zimbabwe, rose sharply,” CEO Kobus Verster said. He warned that should due diligence by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) not yield an outcome, non-core assets would…

Multinational mining and metals processing group Sibanye-Stillwater, which is listed in South Africa and America, has filed an antidumping petition with the US Department of Commerce and the US International Trade Commission (ITC) on imports of unwrought palladium from Russia. Sibanye-Stillwater, together with the representative union at its US PGM operations in Montana, the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (United Steelworkers Union), said on Thursday they have initiated legislative processes intended to ensure the sustainability of Sibanye-Stillwater's US PGM operations and protect the long-term viability of domestic United States platinum group metals (PGM) supply. Neal Froneman, the CEO of Sibanye-Stillwater, said, “We believe that Russian palladium imports are being sold below market prices due to various factors, beginning primarily after…

With credit increasingly being used to cover essential living costs such as food, rent, electricity, and transport, alarm bells are being sounded about unsustainable debt levels of consumers, according to the National Financial Ombud Scheme of South Africa. The National Financial Ombud Scheme South Africa (NFO) describes itself as a single, one-stop, all-in-one dispute resolution service made up of four former longstanding industry ombud schemes: the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance, the Ombudsman for Life Insurance, the Credit Ombud, and the Ombudsman for Banking Services. The NFO says it is concerned about high levels of debt exposure in the wake of the release of TransUnion’s Q1 2025 Industry Insights Report, which confirms a troubling trend: credit products commonly used by lower- and middle-income consumers are experiencing rapid growth in both uptake…

Sean “Diddy” Combs has formally requested release from federal custody, months before his scheduled sentencing on October 3. In a motion filed earlier this week, Combs’ legal team is seeking a $50 million bond to secure his release until sentencing, arguing that the music mogul poses neither a flight risk nor a danger to the public. The filing proposes several conditions for his release, including home confinement at his Miami mansion, strict travel restrictions and participation in mental health and substance abuse treatment programmes. His attorneys emphasised that Diddy is willing to surrender his passport, remain under supervision and only travel within Florida and New York for court-related matters. According to the motion, Combs’ lead attorney Marc Agnifilo argued that the conditions inside the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn…

Tyla’s We Wanna Party is a four-track mixtape that runs for 11 minutes, and it’s all about, well, partying. Released on July 25, the mixtape is a pre-game before the actual party. A week has passed since Tyla dropped the highly-anticipated mixtape, and it’s time to take a closer look at what this new project has to offer. Given the title, you would expect a high-energy, dancefloor-friendly vibe, and for the most part, that’s exactly what you get. The mixtape kicks off with Dynamite, a collaboration with Nigerian sensation Wizkid that blends Afrobeats with catchy vocals. The track has a fun, back-and-forth vibe, with Tyla and Wizkid trading lines showing us their undeniable chemistry. The beat is moving and, listening to this, I was instantly transported to a summer party…

It’s time for a sigh of relief as the families of the trapped Lily Mine victims see movement after nine years of pain and struggle. The container retrieval process is set to begin in the next two months, offering a glimmer of hope, even as the operation is expected to come with a hefty price tag of nearly R800 million. For years, the families of Solomon Nyirenda, Pretty Nkambule, and Yvonne Mnisi, supported by ActionSA, have been calling for the recovery of their loved ones. The three workers were inside a container serving as a lamp control room when it plunged into a sinkhole during the Lily Mine collapse on February 5, 2016. The container remains unrecovered to this day. Now, nearly ten years later, the families have been given…

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) arrested three suspects for tampering with the electricity infrastructure in Lenasia, JMPD said yesterday. This arrest followed a joint operation by the JMPD, City Power, and TDP Security in Ennerdale on Wednesday, targeting electricity cut-offs and revisits. The operation aimed to address the issue of illegal electricity reconnections, which not only cause substantial financial losses to the city, JMPD said, but also pose serious safety risks to communities. “During a revisit to a property that had previously been cut off, officers arrived at Tugela Drive, Lenasia Extension 9,” JMPD spokesperson, Superintendent Xolani Fihla said. “Upon arrival, three males were observed in the act of reconnecting electricity at an electricity box. The individuals initially claimed they were replacing a circuit breaker. However, a thorough inspection…

Four people appeared before the Johannesburg Regional Court yesterday, facing charges including child abuse, after a distressing video showing a toddler smoking a mandrax-laced pipe went viral. The four people, including the mother of the four-year-old boy, were remanded in custody until Monday next week. The four have also been charged with attempted murder for making the minor inhale the drugs. Community members and political party officials gathered outside the court, condemning the actions of the four accused people. On Wednesday, IOL reported that the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) announced the swift arrest of people involved in the distressing video, where a toddler was encouraged to smoke a pipe. The video went viral, leading to a tip-off, which led to the arrests. A police officer from the SA Police…

The MK Party has responded to Floyd Shivambu, who previously praised his move to the party as a “solid and sound decision,” but now dismisses it as a “family business” serving “personal interests.” MKP national spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, told IOL that they have bigger problems to deal with than just responding to Shivambu’s criticism. “We don’t want to talk about individuals who go around saying all sorts of things about MKP,” he said. This follows Shivambu’s recent change of tune, calling the MKP family a stokvel of former president Jacob Zuma. From praising Zuma and describing his leadership as the one to follow, he suddenly said MKP was not an honest party. “uMkhonto weSizwe is not an honest organisation, it’s a family business of President Jacob Zuma for the narrow…

The City of Johannesburg is moving ahead with the sale or long-term leasing of Pirates Sports Club in Greenside and the Killarney Country Club. According to the municipality, the Killarney Country Club’s value also exceeds R10 million, and an updated valuation will be conducted before the property’s use and leasing. The proposed sale will be done in compliance with the provisions of the City of Joburg’s supply chain management policy for land as approved by council in June 2009. The city is embarking on the process since the fair market value of Erf 1319 (proposed subdivision into portion 1 & Re of Erf 1319), Erf 1330, Erf 1318 (Proposed Subdivision into portion 1 & 2 of Erf 1318) Greenside Township, and the remainder of Erf 2184 Parkhurst Township, exceeds R10m.…

Crime Scenes Vespucci Narrated by Emilia Fox Audible Originals Crime Scenes, produced by Vespucci and narrated by the talented Emilia Fox is an Audible Original that takes listeners on a gripping journey through a series of astonishing and twisted crimes. With a runtime just under six hours, each of the five episodes delves into different horrific tales set across varied geographical landscapes – from a Disney-created town in Florida to a serene Caribbean yacht, and the mystifying Australian forests. The first episode, Celebration in Florida, sets a sinister tone for the series. It follows the alarming disappearance of a family in a picture-perfect town. Through the lens of a concerned landlord, the investigation unfolds, revealing the chilling detail that the father is the only survivor of a crime that would…

China has commenced building what is set to become the world’s largest hydropower facility on the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet, near the Himalayan foothills. Premier Li Qiang confirmed this week that work on the colossal $170 billion project is officially underway. Planned for the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo – where waterfalls drop an astonishing 2 000 metres across a 50 km stretch – the dam will feature five cascade power stations and generate around 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. Analysts suggest this output matches the UK’s entire annual electricity consumption. The project, one of China’s most daring since the Three Gorges Dam, is expected to begin operations around 2030. Premier Li referred to it as a “project of the century” and emphasised the importance of…

Keanu Cupido thought he’d be flying out to the United States for an all-expenses paid holiday when he made Mamelodi Sundowns’ final squad for the Fifa Club World Cup. But rather than finding himself soaking up the sunshine of Florida, Cupido became an integral part of coach Miguel Cardoso’s plans. The Portugal-born coach surprisingly drafted Cupido into the starting lineup from the onset, and ended up starting the next two group matches too. Cupido, speaking on the sidelines of the MTN8 launch this week ahead of their quarter-final tie at home to Richards Bay Sunday, admitted he was shocked after getting the nod to start. “It’s not about (walking) straight into the team. It’s been about working behind the scenes. So, it’s just hard work that paid off,” the…

Track and field athletes aiming to take part in the female category in elite competitions will have to take a gene test from September, World Athletics has announced. The test will be in place in time for the World Championships which take place in Tokyo on September 13-21. "It is really important in a sport that is permanently trying to attract more women that they enter a sport believing there is no biological glass ceiling," said World Athletics president Sebastian Coe. "The test to confirm biological sex is a very important step in ensuring this is the case." The test for the SRY gene, which is part of the Y chromosome and causes male characteristics to develop, can be done by a cheek swab or a blood test. If the…

Oscar Piastri returns to the scene of his first victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend seeking to stretch his lead in the title race over his McLaren teammate Lando Norris. The 24-year-old Australian, with six wins from 13 races this year, has a 16-point lead over Norris, but he is well aware of the potential pitfalls ahead. "I'm looking forward to going back to where I had my first win," said Piastri. "It's a great city and a cool track and a fun weekend so it will be nice, but once we are in the cars and out on track all that will be forgotten." His victory last year came with the help of team orders. Having taken the lead from pole-sitter Norris at the start he fell…

It’s strange to look back at the 1990s and realise that, even here on the tip of Africa, everyone knew who Wayne Gretzky was. The same was true — even more profoundly — of Ayrton Senna. These were names that transcended borders and sports, legends shaped not just by talent, but by the drama and danger that defined their eras. Back then, the World Wide Web was still an undiscovered country, and the world felt both larger and more connected in unexpected ways. Brazilian Senna wasn’t just a F1 driver — he was a global icon, forged in a time when the sport still had real teeth. I was still a youngster, and although I couldn’t fully comprehend Senna’s death, even I understood, as a 10-year-old in 1994, that the…

Monetary Policy Committee reduces benchmark lending rate by 25 basis points to 7% The South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) has signalled potential future interest rate cuts as it embarks on a strategic adjustment to its inflation-targeting framework from the midpoint of 4.5% to 3%. This comes as the Sarb’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on Thursday unanimously reduced its benchmark lending rate for the second time in a row by 25 basis points to 7%, 2025, the lowest level since November 2022. This means that the prime lending rate will also decline from 10.75% to 10.50% per annum. The cut was widely anticipated amid concerns over a new US tariff regime threatening the already fragile economy. FNB chief economist Mamello Matikinca-Ngwenya said the decision highlighted the MPC’s focus on stable domestic…

SA Breweries (SAB), which managed to grow its revenues and profits by the mid-single digits for the second quarter to end-June, has warned that increasing volumes of illegal alcohol products were entering the South African market. SAB CEO Richard Rivett-Carnac, interviewed on the same day as its parent Anheuser-Busch InBev released its half-year report, said illegal alcohol product sales were now estimated to make up as much as about 20% of the local market, generating up to R25 billion a year in sales. This also translated into a loss to the government of many billions of rand through unpaid customs and excise duties and other taxes, he said in an interview. He said many illegal alcohol product vendors were operating relatively sophisticated schemes, such as recycling bottles, counterfeiting brand labels…

In a rapidly evolving world, fostering entrepreneurial skills in our children is critical. Cultivating innovation, resilience, and a proactive mindset from an early age lays the foundation for future success – and parents play a pivotal role in nurturing these qualities. Here’s how parents can empower children to navigate an ever-changing landscape with an entrepreneurial spirit. Model entrepreneurship at home: Entrepreneurship is an attitude, not just an occupation, making it easy to model at home. Encouraging curiosity, independence, and problem-solving is essential. Prosek and Rende’s book, ‘Raising can-do kids,’ identifies seven key entrepreneurial traits to nurture: exploration, innovation, optimism, risk-taking, industriousness, likeability, and serving others. Importantly, parents don’t need to be business magnates to set an entrepreneurial example. The family home is ideal for teaching soft skills such as collaboration,…

Desmond and the Tutus Live Indie-rock darlings, Desmond and the Tutus, are set for an electrifying live performance in Joburg this weekend. The beloved local band hail from Pretoria and have become renowned for hit songs such as Pretoria Girls, Teenagers and Lazy Bones. Attendees can expect to rock out to these jams at their concert as well as many more from their popular discography. Where: Sognage in Strydompark. When: Today from 6pm. The Plant Powered Show With the rising global movement towards more health-conscious movements, this food and lifestyle event seeks to offer attendees more sustainable ways of living. As part of The Good Life Show’s events, this gathering will feature the latest in plant-based and sustainable products. It will also showcase top local and international chefs and celebrity…

Once upon a time, soup was the ultimate symbol of simplicity – a warm bowl of comfort, often served with nothing more than a slice of buttered toast or a crusty roll. It was the go-to for sick days, cold evenings and quick homemade meals. But in the era of viral food trends and Instagrammable aesthetics, even this humble dish has undergone a glow-up. Enter the soup board – a fanatic, winter-perfect creation that’s taking over kitchens, cafes and social media feeds alike. Also known as soup flights, soup boards are essentially curated assortments of multiple soups served in small portions, laid out beautifully on a board or tray and paired with an assortment of dippers, toppings and sides. Much like the butter board and charcuterie trends that came before…

The South African government says it has put various alternative mechanisms in place to avert the proposed US 30% import tariff wall on South African exporters ahead of the August 1 deadline. South Africa is among several countries facing punitive tariffs from the US as it moves to protect its own manufacturers and labour force. US President Donald Trump announced the tariffs in April, but delayed them for 90 days to allow countries to negotiate better deals. South Africa has been trying to negotiate a trade deal with the US since May but is yet to agree on terms. On Tuesday, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) said it remains committed to the cause and awaits substantive feedback from the US on the final status of the country’s…

A father who raped his daughter for a decade from the tender age of nine, and impregnated her, will serve life behind bars after being sentenced in the Pretoria Regional Court. The 64-year-old carried out the incestuous crime while she was in his care during weekends and school holidays, when the victim would visit him. The rapes continued unabated after the girl was told by her father that the abuse “was normal in households” and swore her to secrecy, not to tell her mother. Ilitha Labantu’s Siyabulela Monakali said it is one of the most disturbing cases of gender-based violence that highlights the systemic failures that continue to expose children to abuse within their own homes. “The harrowing details of this case, as presented by the National Prosecuting Authority, reveal…

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) seized drugs with an estimated street value of R280 000 in Hillbrow. JMPD spokesperson, Superintendent Xolani Fihla said the JMPD were acting on a tip-off about drugs in the area and found drugs, including crack rock with an estimated street value of R92 000, and Nyaope with a street value of R187 500 at a well-known drug den. “The intelligence-led operation yielded a considerable haul of dangerous substances, preventing them from reaching the streets and harming our communities.” Fihla said they did not make any arrests, however, they have launched an intensive manhunt for those responsible for this illicit operation. “Investigations are actively underway to identify and arrest the individuals involved in the distribution of these harmful substances.” JMPD Chief of Police Commissioner Patrick…

Chief Justice Mandisa Maya has praised retiring Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga for his remarkable intellect, humility, and unwavering dedication to justice, as he prepares to lead the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into alleged corruption and political interference within SAPS. “Justice Madlanga’s impact has not been confined to the courtroom,” Maya said during a special sitting of the Constitutional Court, held to honour his 17 years on the bench. The ceremonial session, attended by senior members of the legal fraternity, the executive, and Parliament, was led by Maya, who paid tribute to her departing colleague. Madlanga, 63, is set to chair the Commission of Inquiry into allegations of criminality, political interference, and protection of criminal elements within the South African Police Service (SAPS). The inquiry was announced by President Cyril…

As South Africa braces itself for a significantly cold and wet weekend, residents of Johannesburg and Pretoria can breathe a sigh of relief, with cool weather expected in the cities. Residents from other cities can expect widespread cooling, with a strong chance of rain, particularly in the eastern and southern regions. Today, the cold front begins its approach from the southwest, bringing very cold conditions to the Western Cape, including towns like Worcester and Sutherland, where temperatures will hover around a chilly 10 to 20°C. The rain probability in this area is indicated by a 30% to 50% chance. Further north, the interior will experience cool to cold conditions. Johannesburg, Pretoria, and other major cities in Gauteng will see cool temperatures, with a low rain probability. The eastern coastline, from…

POLICE confiscated counterfeit Lego games to the value of R1.5 million from a premises in Durbanville this week. Police spokesperson Frederick C. van Wyk said members of Western Cape Provincial Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Policing Team, Essential Infrastructure Task Team members and DPCI executed a search warrant at a premises in Evolution Crescent, Darwin Park, Durbanville Industrial area on Wednesday morning. “Representatives from Oversheds Sutherland who is a brand protector of Lego games and brand managers were also present during the operation,” Van Wyk said. The premises was searched and counterfeit Lego games to the value of R1.5m were confiscated. “No arrests have been made. “A case docket was opened at Durbanville SAPS for further investigation,” Van Wyk said. Also on Wednesday, police arrested a suspect for the possession of…

The historic Khanya College could soon be forced to stop operating as the City of Johannesburg is planning to evict the institution from the Workers Museum Cottage. According to Khanya, the city wants to turn the cottage into an administrative office. The college said this decision threatens the closure of the city’s last remaining public space that serves working people and communities in Johannesburg. On the other hand, the city said the agreement ended more than a year ago. The metro said this agreement was that Khanya College would use and occupy a particular building, in East Cottage, for a period of three years from 2021 to 2024. Khanya College was established in 1986, when the apartheid system was starting to unravel. It allowed students who were classified as “black”…

Johannesburg — Nonkululeko Mlaba was the Queen of the Night at a glittering Cricket SA Awards at the Emperors Palace on Thursday evening. The Proteas Women’s star scooped four prestigious prizes after being crowned SA Women’s Player of the Year, Women’s Players Player of the Year, T20 Player of the Year and Women’s Best Delivery Fuelled by KFC. Mlaba, who is nicknamed Lefty, was consistent across all formats, starring with the ball in Proteas’ solitary Test match, claiming a maiden 10-wicket haul, while she also bagged 15 ODI wickets at an average of 22, and a further 16 T20I wickets at 18.62. She spearheaded the Proteas’ charge to a successive ICC T20 World Cup final in the UAE last year, where the left-arm spinner finished as the tournament’s second top…

The much-anticipated 2025/26 campaign kicks off with the season’s curtain-raiser – the MTN8 – where the top eight teams from last season will battle it out for early bragging rights and momentum in what promises to be another demanding campaign. Defending champions Orlando Pirates will be aiming for a historic fourth successive title, having dominated the competition over the last three seasons. Their 3-1 triumph over Stellenbosch FC in last year’s final not only extended their legacy in local cup competitions but also solidified their place among recent greats. However, with a revamped squad and a new coach in Abdeslam Ouaddou, there may be a window of opportunity for the chasing pack to finally halt their dominance. Most clubs have reinforced significantly during the off-season, and the MTN8 presents the…

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Neo Maema is hoping the African Nations Championship (CHAN) will offer Bafana Bafana a chance to break new ground after more than a decade of absence from the continental tournament. Maema, who captained South Africa during a number of crucial CHAN qualifiers earlier this year, is expected to retain a central role in the squad for the tournament finals. Notably, he remains one of the few players in the current team still under contract with a Premier Soccer League club. The midfielder's standout displays during the CHAN qualifiers helped him win back the confidence of Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, whose midfield options are among the strongest in the league. His timely return to form saw him earn more minutes at club level. Despite being linked with a…

As the 2025/26 season kicks off, Limpopo’s top-flight hopefuls find themselves at opposite ends of the ambition spectrum. Sekhukhune United, led by seasoned tactician Eric Tinkler, are gunning for cup glory and a repeat Top 4 finish. Meanwhile, newly stabilised Magesi FC, under new boss John Maduka, will be focused on survival and steady progress after last season’s relegation scare. Sekhukhune United Eric Tinkler offered a shot at redemption Club owner: Simon Malatji Head Coach: Eric Tinkler Highest ever finish: 4th Competitions participating in: Betway Premiership, Carling Knockout Cup and Nedbank Cup Silvareware chances: They have a 50% chance to any domestic cup silver, but league-wise, they remain a middle level team. In the heart of Limpopo, a sporting narrative is unfolding with ever-improving Sekhukhune United, affectionately known as 'Babina…