Sommaire pour 2025-10-29 de Cape Times

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…

AN ANONYMOUS digital reporting tool, allowing learners to safely share concerns about bullying or other harmful behaviour is among initiatives Milnerton High School management is exploring in response to a bullying incident involving several pupils that went viral on social media last week. Six pupils were charged with assault in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court and released on R2000 bail. In a statement yesterday School Principal Gert JP van Tonder confirmed that additional videos and incidents had emerged and internal investigations were ongoing. “No effort is being spared to ensure that appropriate action is taken to hold those responsible accountable, while protecting the rights, safety and well-being of all affected learners.” The principal said the incidents of violence had shaken confidence in the safety of the school’s learning environment.…

Should it be confirmed that the murder of a minibus owner in Lwandle near Somerset West is linked to the contested routes, the provincial government says it will take decisive steps to safeguard the lives of commuters. Mzukisi Zuuakala, 44, was shot dead and found inside his Toyota Quantum with multiple wounds to the head and body. Two others in the taxi were wounded. The shooting comes shortly after the reopening of taxi routes between Khayelitsha, Mfuleni and Somerset West after a month-long shutdown due to violent clashes between rival associations Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) and Codeta (Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association). Cata spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi confirmed that Zuuakala was a member. “We don’t have an idea as to what happened. The best people who would know…

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 playoff 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.”…

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…

The welfare of three children was the deciding factor in a Western Cape High Court decision to deny bail for the third time to their father, who stands accused of murdering their mother. Acting Judge Roy Barendse emphasised that the children's best interests must take precedence in this case, where the accused allegedly shot his wife three times over suspicions of infidelity. In the most recent bail bid, the court highlighted that the current location of the children – aged 18, 14, and 12 – was uncertain. “It is not clear where the minor children are currently living, whether a family member other than the eldest sibling is living with them and taking care of them, and, importantly, whether it is in the opinion of the social worker/s in the…

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…

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 more so 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 in South African women’s cricket. Today, Proteas captain…

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…

THE firearms confiscated from suspects linked to the Armand Swart murder case had previously been seized as evidence by the police, but were never entered into an SAP13, the administrative process. Captain Solomon Modisane, a senior SAPS forensic analyst attached to the KZN Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry yesterday that on December 30 last year he was requested to compare the exhibits from the murder cases of Oupa ‘DJ Sumbody’ Sefoka, Hector ‘DJ Vintos’ Buthelezi, and Don Tindleni with the Bramley case, where the suspects in the murder of Swart were arrested. Swart, a Vereeniging engineer, was gunned down on April 17, 2025, in a case of mistaken identity. The hitmen allegedly mistook Swart for a colleague who had exposed corruption in a…

POLICE Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale initially thought his boss Senzo Mchunu’s letter directing the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) was fake since he had not been informed of it through official channels. Mathale came across it through social media, he told the parliamentary inquiry probing KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s allegations. Mchunu only called him days later to confirm that he wrote the letter of directives, he said. “We had been interacting all along about everything that is to do with policing, but this specific one, this is how we learnt about it unfortunately,” he said. He said he did not understand what could have motivated Mchunu to pen such a letter in the manner he did.” It was also difficult to comprehend how…

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…

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus explained that the decision to give star winger Cheslin Kolbe a rare start at fullback against Japan at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday was motivated in part by the desire to give Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu a sustained run in the No 10 jersey. Regular fullback Damian Willemse sustained a hamstring injury in the Stormers’ last match against Benetton in the United Rugby Championship and was not considered for the match. With Aphelele Fassi also injured and veteran Willie le Roux not included in the tour squad, the Boks have turned to Kolbe to patrol the backfield. “I think it was in 2022 in Ireland when he last started at fullback, and he has moved to fullback in games for us. He’s played at fullback a…

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…