Índex per 2025-10-10 a Cape Times

Leila Fourie, the dynamic leader of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), has announced her retirement as Group Chief Executive Officer effective 31 March 2026. As Fourie prepares to step down, the JSE Board has appointed Valdene Reddy, the current Director of Capital Markets, as the new Group Chief Executive Officer effective 1 April 2026. The Board expressed confidence that Reddy's extensive industry expertise and strategic insights will enable the JSE to navigate the challenges of an evolving financial landscape successfully. Since her appointment in 2019, Fourie has guided the JSE through a significant transformation, characterised by strategic innovation, operational resilience, and, notably, a strong commitment to inclusive leadership. Fourie's tenure has not only been defined by robust financial outcomes but also by a fervent dedication to sustainability and regulatory excellence.…

Motor vehicles, parts & accessories, and transport equipment registers highest growth rate, expanding by 4.7% year on year South Africa’s manufacturing sector remained under pressure in August, with output contracting by 1.5% year-on-year, extending July’s revised 1.3% decline. The continued slump means the sector is likely to drag on overall economic growth in the third quarter. Data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) released on Thursday showed that the largest negative contributors were the basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, and metal products and machinery division, which contracted 5.9%, and the food and beverages division, which fell 3.0%. Stats SA’s Director of Industry Statistics, Nicolai Claassen, said that weaker production in the food and beverage industry was a notable drag on output as it fell by 3% year-on-year. "On…

When the final whistle blew and the Springboks lifted the Rugby Championship trophy — shortly after defending their Rugby World Cup crown — a wave of unity swept across South Africa. For a brief, golden moment, 62 million people stood as one. It wasn’t just about rugby. It was about belief. It was about seeing ourselves — resilient, diverse, unstoppable — reflected on the world stage. The Springboks have achieved what many thought impossible: winning back-to-back World Cups and the Rugby Championship in the same cycle. But their greatest victory isn’t only on the scoreboard. It’s in the blueprint they’ve given us — a model for how South Africa can rebuild trust, confidence, and momentum in our economy. Because what works on the field, works in the nation. 1 Shared…

As a certified financial planner, I am often faced with questions about new investments that promise high returns with low risk. Examples include so-called ‘exclusive’ high-return funds that promise up to 30% annually and accept investors only by referral. Another example is a crypto token programme that rewards recruits. Because these conversations are increasingly on the rise, it is important that investors educate themselves about Ponzi schemes and other potentially fraudulent investments, so they know what to look out for. What is a Ponzi scheme? The term “Ponzi scheme” is named after Charles Ponzi, who became notorious for running a fraudulent investment scheme in the early 1920s. A Ponzi scheme is defined by a form of fraud where belief in the success of a non-existent enterprise is promoted by the…

As South Africa prepares for significant changes in its employment equity landscape, the countdown to the Employment Equity Amendment Act’s full implementation is generating both excitement and apprehension among businesses nationwide. With the Act set to take effect on 1 January 2025, it shifts the definition of “designated employers” to include any company with 50 or more employees, discarding the previous turnover threshold. This broadening means that many more organisations will now be compelled to meet stringent new numerical targets across 18 sectors. However, the move has sparked legal challenges alleging the regulations are unconstitutional and could stifle economic growth and job creation. Beginning 1 September 2025, designated employers must develop five-year plans to meet these targets and report their progress annually until 2030. As the deadline approaches, many firms…

A CANDIDATE vying to fill one of the vacancies in the KwaZulu Natal Division of the High Court drew the ire of Justice Mandisa Maya for referring to a female who had lodged a complaint against him, as “that woman”. This happened when the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) interviewed attorney, Malizo Gwagwa who was questioned about a complaint by the sister of a deceased who claimed that he did not comply with his legal obligations in finalising the estate of the deceased. Gwagwa apologised and explained he could not recall her name. He added that he did respect women and he did not mean his reference to her as “that woman” be disrespectful. But he was grilled further when it came about through questions from Justice and…

GAUTENG Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko have been accused of failing to take meaningful action against employees and service providers implicated in the looting of Tembisa Hospital. In its interim report into corruption at Tembisa Hospital, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) found that officials at the Gauteng Department of Health and hospital staff abdicated their duties, allowing the looting of more than R2 billion to go unabated. Following the preliminary SIU report released in December 2022, which confirmed R850 million in fraud and corruption, an interim update released last month revealed that the investigation has expanded to over R2 billion in looted funds. The investigation is expected to conclude in November 2027. The investigation, initially meant to investigate expenditure at the hospital from January 2020 to September…

LAMBORGHINIS, designer furniture, and valuable artworks believed to have been purchased with proceeds of the Tembisa Hospital loot were seized when the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) raided the luxury Sandton home of businessman Hangwani Maumela yesterday. The operation was part of an R820 million asset recovery process tied to wholesale looting at Tembisa Hospital, where a total of R2 billion was siphoned off through fraudulent and corrupt contracts. Ngwako Motsieng, SIU senior communications manager said: “The SIU confirms an operation took place at a Sandhurst home linked to our Tembisa Hospital investigation. “This operation is part of implementing the SIU's investigation outcomes and consequence management. We will communicate further once the legal processes have been finalised.” The raid supports a R300 million forfeiture case targeting Maumela’s assets and those…

THE State has asked the court to impose a life sentence on a George man for the murder of his girlfriend, just months after he was released on parole for his wife's murder. NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the Western Cape High Court, sitting at the Eastern Circuit Local Division in George, was to sentence Johan Miana following his plea of guilty for the murder of his girlfriend, Maria Karen Ambraal. Senior State Advocate John Reyneveld told the court that the accused was convicted for the murder of his wife and was sentenced to 17 years' direct imprisonment. He had served 10 years in jail when he was released on parole and met the 23-year-old deceased in July 2024. They started a relationship, and she moved in with him. Reyneveld…

Write Me For You Tillie Cole Loot.co.za (R249) Penguin Random House JUNE Scott is dying, she has cancer and her doctors have told her there is nothing more they can do. That is until she gets into a trial for a new drug regimen. She and her mom and dad travel to The Ranch, a beautiful hospital, and she meets the other young people who she will be undergoing the trial with. One of them is Jesse Taylor, an athlete, then there is Emma and Chris. Tillie Cole has written a story with a story within it. On the one hand the reader is confronted with the physical and emotional horrors of the trial, on the other she starts to write a story about herself and Jesse (yes they fall…

Speculation has incorrectly linked the Public Investment Corporation’s (PIC) suspension of its chief investment officer (CIO), Kabelo Rikhotso, to its investment in AYO Technology Solutions. These matters are quite distinct, and this is a deliberate strategy to use AYO as a distraction. Rikhotso, CIO in Africa’s largest asset manager since May 2022, was placed on precautionary suspension following a whistleblower report alleging misconduct within the PIC. The suspension stems from internal governance concerns raised in that report and makes no reference to AYO. According to an official PIC statement, the suspension is interim, procedural, and effected under applicable labour legislation and internal policies to ensure a fair, objective, and independent investigation. “Rikhotso’s suspension follows allegations of misconduct that were levelled against him through a whistleblower report. Effected in line with…

The business community in South Africa is hoping that the upcoming G20 Summit in Johannesburg will pivot actionable solutions and proactive strategies to tackle Africa’s $100 billion financing gap. This comes as South Africa in November will host the annual Summit of the Group of 20 (G20) sovereign countries, the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU) in response to developments in the global economy. The G20 is responsible for creating the foundation for global economic stability, a vital catalyst for economic development and implementing consequential global commitments such as the Pact for the Future and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Agenda 2030). The Business 20 (B20), which serves as the official G20 dialogue forum with the global business community, is of the view that South Africa’s G20…

The Infrastructure Fund, a partnership between the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), National Treasury and Infrastructure South Africa, has secured a R550 million grant from Dutch-based Invest International to support the rollout of the City of Johannesburg’s landmark Alternative Waste Treatment Technology (AWTT) Project. Valued at approximately R5.7 billion, the AWTT Project represents a major step in South Africa’s shift towards sustainable waste management and renewable energy generation. Implemented as a public-private partnership (PPP) between the Infrastructure Fund, the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) and private-sector partners, the initiative aims to divert about 500 000 tons of municipal solid waste per year — around 31% of the city’s annual waste — away from landfill sites. At the heart of the project will be a dirty Materials Recovery Facility (dMRF) and…

POLICE Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has told of criminal cartels working tirelessly behind the scenes to undermine his authority and push for his removal. He made the remarks yesterday when he appeared before Parliament’s Ad Hoc committee probing allegations made by KZN commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi at a press briefing on July 6. The allegations include attempts to infiltrate parts of the country’s criminal justice and that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu had links with criminal syndicates that used their proximity to him to have the political killings task team disbanded. Addressing the MPs, Masemola expressed his wish to complete his term of office, a rarity for his predecessors who faced premature exits. “You will find there will be criminal cartels that will go to little corners to connive and come…

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has shrugged off any talk of panic following the recent FIFA-imposed points deduction, insisting his team remains firmly on course to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in America. The South African men’s national team have won four, drawn two and lost two of their eight World Cup qualifying matches — with one of those defeats coming via administrative error — and head into the final two encounters sitting second in their group. Speaking ahead of Bafana’s decisive back-to-back fixtures on home soil, Broos said he was surprised by the sudden wave of doubt among supporters and pundits after South Africa were stripped of three points due to an administrative issue related to Teboho Mokoena’s ineligibility. “I was disappointed when we knew that points…

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah scored twice to help Egypt beat Djibouti 3-0 in Casablanca on Wednesday, sealing their place at the 2026 Fifa World Cup. The 33-year-old has now netted nine goals in a marathon qualifying campaign that began two years ago, and Egypt’s victory gave them an unassailable five-point lead over Burkina Faso in Group A. Twice African Footballer of the Year, Salah helped Liverpool win the Premier League for a record-equalling 20th time last season and captured the Golden Boot with 29 goals. However, the Egypt captain has struggled for form with Liverpool this season, scoring just three goals in nine matches in all competitions. Ibrahim Adel opened the scoring for Egypt in the eighth minute, with Salah doubling the lead six minutes later and adding a third…

How about this for a fixture that would rival a World Cup final — the British and Irish Lions versus a Rugby Championship Dream Team? We know it bothers the north that, of the 11 World Cups to date, the southern hemisphere has bagged 10 of them. Will the north ever add to that sole triumph of England’s in 2003? Of course, the Lions don’t feature France or Italy, so how about a Six Nations Dream Team up against their Rugby Championship counterparts? The southern hemisphere tournament has just finished, and what a thriller it was. Picking the best 15 from New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, and South Africa is both a selector’s dream and nightmare, given how closely matched the sides were. I mean, who would you pick between Ardie…

The Competition Commission said Thursday it has approved the acquisition by asset management firm Differential Capital of Murray & Roberts (M&R) subsidiary TCCA, a company that owns Cementation Africa and other mining contracting businesses, without conditions. Differential Capital operates in South Africa and manages investments - retirement funds and hedge funds - on behalf of its clients. M&RL’s business rescue practitioners (BRPs) said in their latest creditors' update that the Differential Capital transaction to aquire M&RL's last major asset, its mining engineering operations, is a key component of the business rescue plan. “The BRPs and Differential Capital continue to work and make progress towards the conclusion of definitive agreements and towards the fulfilment of suspensive conditions. The South African merger application was filed with the Competition Commission in the last…

The Road Freight Association (RFA) has reviewed the recently released White Paper from Port of Gauteng and it notes that the developers have targeted a very ambitious project to address the huge shortfalls in the current logistics network, especially around rail and multi-modal operations involving rail, as well as the fundamental necessity of involving and allowing the private-sector to drive the integration of logistics. The R50 billion project represents a pivotal opportunity to address the systemic inefficiencies crippling South Africa’s economic arteries, particularly the Durban-Gauteng freight corridor. The RFA has long championed an integrated, multimodal logistics network where road and rail function as collaborative partners, not competitors. The vision outlined in Port of Gauteng White Paper, “to create a premier trade gateway that restores balance to our supply chain”, resonates…

The three digits that represent your credit score reflect some of the most important financial information about you. Yet, most South Africans don’t know their score or how to manage or improve it. Your credit score is an indicator of financial reliability. Lenders use it to determine whether you qualify for credit or other financial products, and the interest you will be charged. A strong credit score creates opportunities, while a poor one limits them and increases borrowing costs. For example, a score of over 650 gives you an 85% chance of getting a home loan or vehicle finance approved. A score of 700+ can mean you pay prime or below-prime interest rates, while a poor credit score could mean paying prime +3%, which considerably adds to the cost of…

THE national day of prayer event, which was meant to be held at the Tembisa Hospital yesterday, would have never resolved the corruption that contributed to the death of young businessman Shonisani Lethole, says his mother Patricia. The event with a poster with the face of Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, has since been ‘postponed’ after some social media users slammed it as insensitive. It was organised in light of the the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) report which revealed that over R2 billion was looted from the hospital between 2018 to 2022. Shonisani died after being starved for over 100 hours at Tembisa Hospital in 2021. Lethole slammed the prayer day initiative, saying no matter how badly prayer is needed, it would never resolve the corruption that contributed…

MOBILITY MEC Isaac Sileku believes the Western Cape High Court judgment dismissing the Congress of Democratic Taxi Associations’ (Codeta) urgent interdict application reaffirmed the department’s commitment to commuter safety and the rule of law. The judgment confirmed the lawfulness of the department’s decision to close certain taxi routes and ranks under Section 91 of the National Land Transport Act. The court found that the department acted within its legal mandate when it invoked the extraordinary measures to ensure commuter safety and restore order following persistent taxi-related violence and disruptions in the Helderberg and Khayelitsha areas. Codeta had sought to prevent the department from implementing the closures, arguing that the decision was procedurally unfair and unlawful. However, the court ruled that the department’s actions were justified, reasonable, and in the…

SEVERAL electronic devices including laptops were seized when police raided the home of suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya in Centurion, Pretoria yesterday. Sibiya has been under the spotlight since KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused him of being central to the removal the dockets the political killings task team was investigating when the unit was controversially disbanded. Sibiya, a controversial figure in law enforcement, is believed to be under investigation for alleged involvement in procurement irregularities and abuse of office within the police service. Speaking to journalists about the raid, he expressed feelings of betrayal and persecution. He described the operation as an unjustified siege and accused the SAPS of betraying him. “At least my police colleagues must think of my kids,” Sibiya said, emphasising the personal…

“It’s painful. We are going to question why, why is God’s will in this way? Because this is a three-year-old, and he died like this.” These were the words of the devastated uncle of little Qadir Boer, who was killed in a suspected gang-related shooting in Hanover Park. A stray bullet hit Qadir, and he later died at the Red Cross War Memorial Hospital in the early hours of yesterday morning. His uncle, Abduragmaan Boer, said the doctor called him around 2am to confirm Qadir had been pronounced dead. Boer said the child had been rushed to the hospital after the shooting, but despite doctors’ efforts, he did not survive. “They told me my nephew was going in for an operation. The bullet hit his brain. This morning, the hospital…

Backstory Gabriel Bergmoser Multicast narration Audible Originals NEWLY released, Backstory isn’t just an audiobook, but a slow confession. The nearly nine-hour listen is a story about ambition, friendship and the blurred lines between what we remember and what we choose to forget. It is the kind of novel that pulls you with an uneasiness, where the grip tightens and secrets rise to the surface. Bergmoser, the award-winning Melbourne-based author known for his gripping and emotionally intelligent storytelling, once again proves his command over the psychological thriller. His prose is cinematic yet intimate, his characters flawed but achingly human. He doesn’t just explore darkness – he finds empathy within it. The setup seems deceptively simple: five university friends reunite for a weekend away, a nostalgic nod to their shared years in…

Ruben Amorim has been given three years to prove himself at Manchester United after co-owner Jim Ratcliffe insisted he will not make a knee-jerk decision about the under-fire manager’s future. Amorim has endured constant speculation about his job throughout this season as United lurched from one crisis to another. The former Sporting Lisbon boss, hired by Ratcliffe in November 2024, admitted earlier this term that he had considered quitting during United’s darkest moments. United finished 15th in the Premier League last season – their lowest top-flight finish since 1973/74 – and missed a chance to qualify for the Champions League after losing the Europa League final to fellow strugglers Tottenham. Tenth-placed United have fared little better this season, losing three of their first seven league games and suffering a shock…

The Sharks are bracing themselves for a Leinster backlash in Dublin tomorrow after the champions lost twice in South Africa because of a “lack of physical intent”. Those were the words of Leinster forwards coach Sean O’Brien, who, as a player, was coached by John Plumtree when the Kiwi served as an Ireland assistant coach. Plumtree smiled when reminded of O’Brien’s call to arms for the Leinster forwards ahead of the visit of the Sharks. “If Leinster felt they were lacking physical intent in South Africa, it’s the wrong country not to bring it to,” he said. “That’s a big part of the game, and you need it if you want to dominate collisions and the set piece. Neither will function without physicality. “We’re expecting them to up their physicality,…