Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-10-29 i Star

Engineering and construction group Murray & Roberts Limited (MRL) has confirmed that the Gauteng High Court granted a final liquidation order for its parent company, Murray & Roberts Holdings (MRH), on Monday. In a statement on Tuesday, MRL emphasised that the liquidation of MRH would not affect its ongoing business rescue process, as the two entities are legally and operationally distinct. While MRH functioned as the ultimate holding company, MRL operates as a downstream subsidiary with several intermediary entities between them. The company said the liquidation of MRH does not impact the business rescue proceedings of MRL, which continue firmly on track under the supervision of the duly appointed Business Rescue Practitioners. MRL entered voluntary business rescue on 22 November 2024, following severe liquidity constraints linked to project delays and…

Anglo American pressing ahead with sweeping portfolio simplification and assets disposal Anglo American has reported steady copper production and stronger operational performance across its key mining assets as the company presses ahead with a sweeping portfolio simplification, including the disposal of its diamond and platinum interests. The diversified miner on Tuesday said improved copper grades and higher output from its Quellaveco and Los Bronces operations helped offset a temporary lower production phase at the Collahuasi mine in Chile, which is expected to recover by the end of next year. Duncan Wanbald, CEO of Anglo American, said that in copper, strong operational momentum and higher grades at both Quellaveco and Los Bronces underpinned performance, offsetting the current lower production phase at Collahuasi. Copper production for the quarter to the end of…

In the digital economy, data is often described as the new oil. Unlike oil, data cannot simply be extracted, traded, and refined without exposing nations to profound risks. For as long as South Africa’s and Africa’s data resides in hyperscale data centres owned by the United States or China, that data is not safe from infiltration by either power. The uncomfortable truth is that both Washington and Beijing have given themselves the legal instruments to pry into the data stored by their technology giants, whether that data belongs to their citizens or not. In 2018, the United States passed the Cloud Act (Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act). This legislation compels US-based technology companies including Microsoft (Azure), Amazon (AWS), Google, and others, to essentially hand over data under their…

Planet Earth is in the Anthropocene, an era during which we as a species have had a substantial impact on our only habitat. Despite the denialism and counter-information, we are in a new geological age characterised by the dominance of human activity reshaping the planet’s systems, disrupting climates patterns, altering water cycles, and straining ecosystems whilst recalibrating economic spaces and decimating human settlements. One area that everyone is paying attending to is water. Water, which remains a common dominator in the just transition, due to its multifaceted role in climate change mitigation, and its significance in adaptation strategies. In many places, our water management architecture suffers from fragmentation and uneven implementation, inequitable resource allocation and chronic capacity constraints. As an example, South Africa’s Strategic Water Source Areas (SWSAs),…

The October Health 2025 report estimates that mental health issues in South Africa are more costly than either crime or social grants. It estimates a R250 billion cost as the result of 452 million lost work hours per year. On an individual level, this lack of support results in a tragic 253 suicide attempts per day. No one is immune from mental health issues, but there are several factors that make entrepreneurs particularly susceptible. If they have employees, entrepreneurs bear the weight of responsibility for multiple livelihoods, but even if they work alone, they are responsible to their customers and families. They are time-stressed, cash-stressed, and often lack a network they can confide in. The pressure to secure cashflow and pay salaries, nth after month, can wear entrepreneurs down…

Award-winning author and medical doctor Kopano Matlwa has returned to the literary scene with Bosadi, a novel that confronts the unseen and unspoken pain of being a woman in a world that often refuses to see it. Through the intertwined lives of two women, Matlwa once again proves her gift for illuminating the private battles fought in the name of survival and dignity. Matlwa is no stranger to tackling difficult questions. Her debut novel, Coconut, which won the 2006/2007 European Union Literary Award, became a modern classic, offering a piercing look at identity and race in post-apartheid South Africa. She followed it with Spilt Milk and Period Pain, both of which interrogated the contradictions of the “Born Free” generation while examining race, class and the lingering weight of colonisation. In…

City Power has stated that it is creating a plan to deal with the issues of cable theft and unauthorised connections on its grid, which are costing the city billions of rand. Sergeant Thela, the head of risk and security for the power entity, made this announcement yesterday, the first day of the two-day City Power Energy Indaba 2025, which was hosted at the Marriott Hotel in Melrose Arch. Thela said the city has seen an increase in illegal connections, mostly in places close to informal settlements across the city. “We are witnessing a high incidence of illegal connections in informal settlements, where there are breaches of electricity. There are plans to deal with this problem, even though we are not at liberty to talk about these plans as they…

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has slammed a growing trend in Gauteng, where roadblocks by the Johannesburg Metro Police (JMPD) and Traffic Department appear aimed more at collecting fines than preventing crashes. Despite a small drop in fatal crashes, the DA has sharply criticised traffic authorities for what it calls “revenue-driven roadblocks.” The party argues that these operations focus more on collecting outstanding fines than tackling the real causes of accidents, reckless driving, speeding, and drunk driving, which continue to claim lives across the province. According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), Gauteng recorded a slight decline in fatal crashes, from 494 in quarter four of 2024 to 459 in quarter four of 2025. Fatalities also decreased from 546 to 506. Michael Sun, the DA’s Gauteng spokesperson for Community Safety,…

Shouting inappropriate language at senior management in the office when taken to task for being late at work could cost you your job, as a fundraiser at the SA Medical and Educational Foundation discovered. Kayla Jenecker, during a heated argument with the CEO of the non-profit organisation, apparently used the phrase “screw you” repeatedly towards him and in front of other colleagues. While Jenecker maintained that he uttered these words and not she, she was convicted of gross misconduct during a disciplinary hearing and fired. She fought this in arbitration but lost her case there when her dismissal was found to be fair. Aggrieved with this finding, she turned to the Cape Town Labour Court in a bid to get her job back. Jenecker began working for the employer in…

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has approved Lenacapavir, a new antiviral medicine for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV-1 infection. The drug is recommended for adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kg. SAHPRA said the application for Lenacapavir was submitted by Gilead in March and reviewed through the European Medicines for All Procedure (EU-M4all). The authority said the procedure “enables the European Medicines Agency (EMA), together with the participating regulatory authorities, to provide scientific opinions on high-priority medicines, such as Lenacapavir, intended for markets outside the European Union”. It added that the pathway strengthens regulatory systems and accelerates access to essential medicines. Lenacapavir is administered as a six-monthly injection, SAHPRA said, starting with a subcutaneous initiation dose, supported by tablets on days one and two. The…

South Africa’s support of the one-China policy appears to be reaping reward for the republic, not only from an economic point of view but also from the standpoint of positioning it as a kingmaker in the broader geopolitical tussle between the Asian powerhouse and the US. With the relationship between Pretoria and Washington having soured due to US President Donald Trump’s mindless imposition of a 30% tariff on South African exports, China has spotted the opportunity to shore up its relationship with the nation and others on the continent. Earlier this year, President Xi Jinping confirmed zero-tariff treatment for 100% tariff lines for the 53 African nations with which it enjoys diplomatic ties. China’s growing economic influence in South Africa is sizeable. In 2024 alone, China invested $13.21 billion in…

Kaizer Chiefs’ biggest battle isn’t with their opponents on the pitch – it’s with themselves. Until the club fixes their internal disarray, moments of progress like Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup win will remain fleeting. Amakhosi returned to winning ways on Sunday at a packed Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto, after beating AS Simba 3-1 to progress to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup. But be that as it may, not all is well at the club. They remain coachless after deciding to part ways with head coach Nasreddine Nabi owing to issues of mistrust and coaching licences, replacing him with his former assistant coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef until the end of the season. The retention of Kaze and Ben Youssef was questionable. If Chiefs no longer…

We owe England one, says Kapp ahead of semi-final Who can ever forget the groundbreaking achievements that the Proteas women have pulled off in the last three years? Two back-to-back T20 World Cup finals – one at home in 2023 and another in the United Arab Emirates a year ago – paint a vivid picture of a unit on its way to achieving even bigger things in the near future. Perhaps the biggest achievement was beating Australia in the semi-final of the 2024 T20 World Cup in the UAE. Everybody knows just how near impossible it is to beat Australia in World Cups, and moreso in the knockout stages. However, this Proteas women’s team defied the odds and pulled off a victory that will be remembered as the turning point…

Old Mutual on Tuesday said it had acquired a majority stake in 10X Investments (10X) from Old Mutual Private Equity (OMPE), part of Old Mutual Alternative Investments, and DiGAME Investments (DiGAME) for R2.2 billion. 10X is one of South Africa’s fastest-growing investment firms, with assets under management (AUM) at more than R68bn, servicing over 60 000 clients, with a market-leading position in net flows into passive products, ETFs and smart beta solutions. Old Mutual said this marked an important next step in the company’s evolution as a leader in passive, technology-enabled investment solutions in South Africa. The 10X management will retain a significant stake in the business. The transaction is subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals, with completion expected in the second quarter of 2026. In 2014, OMPE and…

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRrasa) marked a major step in its modernisation and sustainability drive on Tuesday with the launch of its Solar Renewable Energy Project and the unveiling of Train Set 300 — known as Isitimela Sabantu (The People’s Train) in Durban. Presiding over the launch, Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy said the twin milestones symbolised a new direction for passenger rail in South Africa — one that places sustainability, reliability, and community development at its core. “As we transition towards a modern transport system, sustainability must be at the heart of everything we do. The Solar Renewable Energy Project launched today is one of PRASA’s most forward-looking initiatives, spearheaded by its subsidiary Intersite to transform how we power our operations,” she said. Creecy said solar…

HSBC reported falling quarterly profits Tuesday, with the banking giant's bottom line weighed down by legal provisions related to the late Bernard Madoff's huge investment fraud. The London-headquartered lender revealed the $1 billion-plus fallout Monday amid a Luxembourg lawsuit dating back to 2009, when Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison for running a pyramid-style scheme. HSBC's chief executive Georges Elhedery praised the Asia-focused group's underlying performance during the third quarter "despite taking legal provisions related to historical matters", he said in the earnings statement. Revenue rose 5 percent to $17.8 billion on higher customer activity, HSBC said. But net profit slid 21 percent to $4.87 billion in the July-September period compared with the third quarter of 2024. Pre-tax profit was also down, falling 14 percent to $7.3 billion.…

Kumba Iron Ore, the Anglo American–owned iron ore producer, has reported improved logistics stability and operational efficiency despite slightly lower output for the third quarter of 2025. Chief executive Mpumi Zikalala said on Tuesday that the company’s performance benefited from enhanced equipment efficiency and operating stability, even as total production for the quarter to end-September declined by 2% year-on-year to 9.2 million tons. Zikalala said performance was driven by a combination of the business reconfiguration impact in 2024 and improved equipment efficiency and operating times in the third quarter of 2025. Parent company Anglo American’s quarterly iron ore production dipped by 9% to 14.3 million tons, weighed down by lower output from Kumba as well as from its Minas-Rio operation in Brazil. Over the period under review, total waste mining…

Balwin Properties' profit increased by a robust 33% to R102.4 million in the six months to August 31 after improved sentiment in the investor and homebuying market, the directors of the JSE-listed large-scale sectional title residential estates developer said on Tuesday. Revenue was up 44% to R1.2 billion. Headline earnings a share increased 29% to 20.91 cents. The number of apartments sold and recognised in revenue increased year-on-year to 928 from 640 that were recognised in revenue in the first six months of the prior financial year. There was also a recovery in pre-sold apartments not recognised in revenue to 1 028, from 743 in the first half of the financial year. Balwin Annuity added a strong bottom line contribution, after it increased revenue by 55% to R101.5m, mainly from…

ANC MP Xola Nqola said that the testimony by Deputy Minister of Police, Cassel Mathale, has been worrisome as it showed that, despite being a deputy minister, he does not have delegation powers. Nqola was speaking before he questioned Mathale, who appeared before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mathale testified that while they do not have delegated powers, he said that they did have work to do. He said that he believed that the minister was still familiarising himself with the role, “but that I think he is ready now”. Nqola said that not only did the deputy minister’s testimony show that there was no proper consultation process that was followed in the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team…

Build One South Africa (BOSA) has raised alarm over what it calls a “shocking collapse of accountability” within law enforcement after new data revealed that fewer than 5% of police officers accused of murder and rape have been referred for prosecution. According to a written parliamentary reply by Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) had 14 907 open misconduct cases involving South African Police Service (SAPS) officers as of May 31. These included 1 486 deaths linked to police action and 97 cases of rape allegedly committed by police officers. BOSA spokesperson Roger Solomons said the statistics paint a disturbing picture of police abuse and a justice system failing victims. “Each of the almost 15 000 open misconduct cases reflects a violation of citizens’…

South Africa’s major metros, Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban, are tackling water repair and maintenance operations this month as they try to keep its ageing infrastructure afloat while balancing supply disruptions, illegal connections, and financial instability. Cape Town From Tuesday until November 5, the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Department will start its planned maintenance. It is expected to affect neighbourhoods from Kuils River to Fish Hoek, Delft, and Woodstock. Residents have been warned to store water in advance, as scheduled shut-offs could last up to ten hours in some areas. The city’s water team will conduct pipe and valve installations, replacements, and leak repairs. In a statement, the City of Cape Town said: “The aim is to ensure the future continuity of water supply by addressing the…

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has raised concerns over the growing number of contraband items found in the country’s prisons, alongside severe overcrowding and concerns over inflated bread prices in correctional facilities. Speaking during the Social Services and Peace and Security Clusters media briefing on Monday, committee chairperson Kgomotso Ramolobeng said the findings followed the committee’s recent oversight visits to prisons in the Eastern and Western Cape. Ramolobeng said that at St Albans Correctional Centre alone, 786 cellphones were confiscated between April and September, while seven officials were caught with contraband. “We have urged the department to ensure that criminal cases are opened against officials found compromising security in correctional facilities,” she said. She said the committee had also encouraged the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) to invest in…

Donald Trump said on Monday that he would not run for vice president in the 2028 American election, a move some supporters suggest would allow him to skirt term limits and stay in the White House. The US Constitution limits presidents to two terms, and Trump began his second in January. However, some of his advocates have suggested the Republican could skirt the rule by becoming vice president and then stepping back into a vacated top job. Asked whether he would run for vice president in November 2028, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he “would be allowed to do that”. But he added: “I wouldn’t do it ... I think it’s too cute. It wouldn’t be right.” Trump, who served his initial term from 2017 to 2021,…

According to a 2022 report, South Africa is dealing with civil claims totalling at least R147 billion. The government spends billions on legal fees each year to defend itself against these claims, which include those made against the home affairs, police, and health departments. These lawsuits can usually be avoided. Consider a case where a man in his late forties was charged with “stabbing” a woman in her seventies. The investigating officer failed to conduct a proper investigation, and the prosecutor proceeded despite the complainant admitting under oath that she had not claimed to be stabbed. The medical legal document, called J88, which is for injuries sustained in crimes such as assault, also showed no evidence of a stabbing. This should have signalled to the State to investigate further for…

There was a time not too long ago that the Proteas Women’s team reaching a major ICC tournament semifinal was an achievement. Now it’s almost expected, with today’s play-off in Guwahati being the Proteas’ third consecutive ODI World Cup semi-final appearance against the self-same England. Laura Wolvaardt’s side have also advanced past the semi-finals in successive T20 World Cups. One of those T20 semi-final victories was achieved over England in Cape Town two years ago, which helped exact revenge for the defeats in the longer ODI format in Bristol (2017) and Christchurch (2022). “We’ve had some success in ICC tournaments, so yeah I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Wolvaardt said. “Hopefully we’re able to learn from those semi-final victories that we’ve got and maybe stay a bit calmer under pressure.”…

Two years ago today, most South Africans woke up with massive babelas. Some may not even have slept. Leftover braai and a beer was the breakfast of choice as they made their way back to the scene of the crime – the living room – where many also left their voices and their dignity behind. For, on the night before, far away on a crisp evening in Paris, the Springboks completed a feat of sporting willpower to secure back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles by defeating the All Blacks in a dramatic and brutal final. It was another one-point win – their third in succession – that put the nation’s collective nerves in a state. But the euphoria that followed swept the length and breadth of the country. From Soweto to…

BAIC South Africa confirmed on Tuesday that the all-new BAIC B30 SUV will be assembled locally at the company’s Coega facility in Gqeberha, marking another significant step in the brand’s long-term commitment to the South African market. The announcement follows the B30’s dynamic first showing at the Festival of Motoring 2025 and comes ahead of its official national launch in November 2025. It said the local assembly will begin shortly after launch, reinforcing BAIC’s strategy to build key models on South African soil and expand the plant’s production footprint. “Localising the B30 is about more than manufacturing - it’s about investing in people, skills, and a sustainable automotive future for South Africa,” said Ameena Hassan, the Brand & PR Manager at BAIC South Africa. “Our Coega facility was built to…

South Africa stands at a crossroads, grappling with challenges that have tested the nation’s spirit and integrity. Yet, within this climate of uncertainty lies a remarkable opportunity: to reclaim the country’s tradition of moral leadership on the global stage. As the country waits for the launch of King V, the next evolution in corporate governance, we are called to consider not just rules and compliance, but the deeper values that define who we are - and who we aspire to become. This is a moment to reflect on the boardroom’s power to shape a future rooted in both responsibility and hope. When the Institute of Directors in South Africa (IoDSA) unveils King V on October 31, 2025, it will not just be another chapter—it will be a defining moment in…

South Africa’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force greylist in October 2025 was widely welcomed as a key milestone for the country’s financial system and international reputation. However, for households already drowning in debt, the path to financial recovery remained uncertain. The FATF confirmed that South Africa had addressed all 22 action items required to restore global compliance with anti money laundering and counter terrorist financing standards. The global watchdog noted “sustained progress in strengthening institutions and improving enforcement,” marking the end of almost three years of heightened monitoring and risk perception. While the announcement boosted confidence across financial markets, experts cautioned that the real test would be whether struggling families experienced any meaningful improvement. Neil Roets, CEO of Debt Rescue, said the removal restored credibility, but attention now…

South Africa faces several near-term challenges that will define its energy landscape up to 2030. Global demand growth has accelerated renewable energy development, but in South Africa, electricity demand has declined steadily since 2011. Ending load-shedding alone has not been enough to reverse this trend. The electricity system has now shifted into an oversupply phase. This is evidenced by high reserve margins, the cold storage of generation units, and the curtailment of photovoltaic generation during certain hours. At the same time, renewable energy projects continue to be built at pace and will likely continue until at least 2030. Eskom’s electricity availability factor continues to improve, and no coal-fired power station decommissioning is planned before March 2030, after which closures may follow a phased approach. The question is not how to…

Gauteng police have failed to provide updates in the social media abuse case opened by former Cabinet minister Lindiwe Sisulu against activist Goolam Vawda, alleged to be behind the controversial X (formerly Twitter) account @goolammv. Sisulu laid a criminal complaint on July 21, 2024, at the Roodepoort police station, accusing Vawda of cyberbullying, hate speech, and publishing defamatory content targeting her and others via social media. A year later, there have been no reported arrests or developments. Independent Media contacted police this week for comment. Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko referred the query to Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, who, after being provided the case number, said it was incorrect. The same case number had previously been used for media follow-ups. “The complainant in the case number you provided is not Lindiwe…

A man who was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for assaulting his fiancée, and apologised with two goats, has had his appeal on sentence dismissed by the Pietermaritzburg High Court after claiming that the sentence is harsh. In 2023, the perpetrator Philani Mcebo Zondi went for a drive with his fiancée. They had been drinking, and he reportedly fell asleep in his parked car due to intoxication. Upon waking, his fiancée was gone, so he drove to her residence to look for her. There, he saw his fiancée getting out of a Toyota Quantum belonging to her ex-boyfriend. Zondi grabbed a wheel spanner and assaulted the ex-boyfriend. As the ex-boyfriend fled, Zondi deliberately put the Quantum in motion, jumped out, and allowed it to crash into a bush, causing damage.…

What was meant to be a humorous commercial featuring Tali, a well-known influencer from Tali’s Wedding, filming herself at an airport while promoting online booking platform LekkeSlaap’s travel deals, was found by the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) to be offensive. The advertising watchdog determined that the ad crossed the line between humor and harassment of women. This happened because overly eager LekkeSlaap fan Hannes, in the commercial, keeps following her at the airport and commenting on what she says. This occurs despite a visibly annoyed Tali trying to get away from him. The commercial shows Tali speaking to her social media audience on her phone. It starts with her saying: “Howzit, guys, I am travelling with Lekkeslaap. I’ve just come from a game lodge in the Kruger.” A man sitting…

A criminal charge of perjury has been laid against embattled Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi who retracted serious allegations he made against former police minister Bheki Cele. The criminal charges were laid at Cape Town Central Police station by MP from the National Coloured Congress (NCC), Fadiel Adams yesterday morning. Adams said after the retraction was made which was done via SMS, Members of Parliament objected to the manner of withdrawal and demanded that Mkhwanazi return to the committee and formally retract his sworn statement. Western Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, confirmed a case was opened. “The mentioned case number is a perjury case registered at Cape Town Central SAPS. The identity of those concerned are not released,” said Twigg. Enquiries to KZN police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda, probing whether they…

As the football world eagerly awaits the historic Fifa World Cup 2026 draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington in December, Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos is focused on a different mission at home. At a recent roundtable discussion hosted by Safa, Broos shared insights into his preparations for Africa Cup of Nations, which begins in December. After a commendable third-place finish in the previous edition held in the Ivory Coast, expectations among fans and stakeholders are undeniably high. Broos acknowledged that the pressure to perform well means meticulous preparation has never been more critical. As he gears up for this high-stakes tournament, Broos revealed plans to commence training on December 8 at the University of Pretoria. The team will remain there until December 17, just ahead of their…

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has revealed that Saturday’s Test match against Japan at Wembley Stadium was arranged to give South Africa’s Japan-based players crucial game time ahead of the big matches on their November tour. “We actually organised this extra game against Japan especially for the guys who play in the Japanese league because they would not have played a lot of rugby if they didn’t play a lot of Test matches for us,” Erasmus said yesterday. “I think there are about 11 or 12 guys – including Manie (Libbok) – who play in the Japanese league. “The plan was always to get these guys together because we’ve found in the past that when we went on the end-of-year tour previously, when we played Ireland and France and teams…

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has expressed satisfaction with the club’s new signings but insists that the competition for places has become fiercer than ever. The Brazilians entered the 2025/26 season with high expectations, targeting silverware and aiming to finally lift the CAF Champions League trophy after several near misses in recent years. Their campaign has got off to a strong start, highlighted by a dominant 7-1 aggregate victory over Nigerian side Remo Stars in the second preliminary round. However, Cardoso has also had to navigate a few early-season challenges, including adapting to the departures of key players such as Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Neo Maema. Despite adding several quality reinforcements, the Portuguese coach has faced tough selection dilemmas – particularly with former Stellenbosch FC defender Fawaaz Basadien, who has…