Star -julkaisun 2023-07-10 -irtonumeron sisällysluettelo

This comes as the US Federal Reserve signalled intention to resume interest rate increases DEBT-LADEN consumers in South Africa will be facing yet more hardship as the cost of borrowing looks likely to increase later this month and remain elevated for at least another 2 months on the back of stubborn consumer inflation. This comes as the US Federal Reserve signalled its intention to resume interest rate increases amid a growing consensus that more tightening was needed to stamp out high inflation in the world’s largest economy, in spite of leaving rates unchanged for now, at 5% to 5.25%. The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) this week gave the strongest indication yet that it would probably tighten its monetary policy further and implement another rate hike, though most experts predict…

THE FINANCIALS submitted to the JSE-listed and debt-laden Nampak by its Zimbabwean unit, which has forecast persistent economic and monetary challenges ahead of elections next month, are different from those that it reported to the Zimbabwean Stock Exchange as a result of monetary and exchange rate distortions. Shares in Nampak on the JSE have been 16.6% firmer during the past seven days and 10.5% stronger during the past month after the regional packaging manufacturer’s shareholders approved a R1 billion rights offer. The share price of Nampak, which is saddled with debt of R5.2bn closed Friday’s trade session on the JSE 1.1% weaker. For Nampak Zimbabwe, the rapid changes in currency regulations in Zimbabwe resulted “in the differences between the reported financial information and the numbers submitted to the parent”…

WOMEN can’t earn the same salaries as men because men will provide for them. Isn’t this the attitude behind the gender pay-gap epidemic? Gender remuneration disparities or pay-gap is a global problem that is more nuanced in South Africa because of all other layering social ills. According to information from the Borgen Project, a non-profit organisation addressing poverty and hunger, the median gender pay-gap in South Africa is between 23% and 35%, which is larger than the global average of 20%. In the US for instance, the average annual salary of a woman is 83% that of a man, which translates to 83 cents on the dollar. While in the EU women earned 13% less on average per working hour than men. These differences are driven by nothing other…

SINCE taking office in 2017, President João Lourenço has maintained a positive bearing on strengthening and enhancing Angola’s oil and gas sector and focusing on enriching its population. From exploration to production and export, the Angolan oil and natural gas industry is bustling with new initiatives. This past year alone, international oil companies and the Angolan government partnered to award numerous regional operators with service contracts worth billions of dollars in combined value. The Right Approach This success story, just one among many in Angola, wouldn’t be possible without the welcoming and investment-friendly environment that Angolan leadership has worked to cultivate in recent years. Despite its status as sub-Saharan Africa’s second-largest oil producer, boasting an approximate output of 1.55 million barrels of oil per day (bpd), Angola rejects complacency and…

They spend most of their day playing or napping in the cold weather, and unlike us, they can’t speak up if they’re feeling chilly or sore. Dr Guy Fyvie, Veterinary Affairs manager for Hill's Pet Nutrition, warns that older pets and those with joint issues are more susceptible to the cold’s effects. Even though pets can’t tell us when they’re experiencing pain, their behaviour can give us some clues. If you notice any of the symptoms listed below, it’s best to take your pet to the vet for a check-up. Lack of energy. Stiffness or limping. Unusual lethargy. Loss of appetite. Difficulty standing or lying down. Changes in temperament. If your pet is showing any of these symptoms, it’s recommended you take it to the vet for an assessment. Among…

THE fact that a magistrate, who granted bail to alleged cybercrime kingpin, James Junior Aliyu, used Google for legal knowledge on some aspects of the case, had an acting judge frowning. “The learned magistrate, unfortunately, acted as a witness in the case, by searching, by his own admission during his judgment, on Google for evidence of an extradition treaty between the US and Nigeria,” the acting judge said. His remarks were made after the National Prosecuting Authority had appealed against the fact that Aliyu was granted bail. Acting Judge Peet Johnson, who heard the appeal in the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, remarked about the magistrate’s Google antics: “It is irregular for a court to search for evidence on Google, which had not been proved to be a reliable source of…

WHEN Paul Hussey was diagnosed with kidney failure and stage 4b lymphoma, few could have believed that nine years later he would return to South Africa and complete the Comrades Marathon. “At that time in May 2014, I was only 45 but was little more than a skeleton with skin. With cachexia, a condition that causes extreme weight loss and muscle wasting, my face was gaunt, drawn and discoloured,” Hussey said. He recalled that cancer was absolutely ravaging him, and he made a promise to himself, the universe, God, and humanity that one day he will return and run the Comrades Marathon. On June 11, at the age of 54, Hussey fulfilled his dream of finishing the world’s oldest and largest ultra-marathon in 11 hours and 48 minutes. He also…

Barely two months after revealing that she was battling mental health challenges and taking an on-air hiatus, Dineo Ranaka has revealed that she has been shown the door at Kaya FM. Ranaka took to her Instagram account to share that she had been fired and urged her followers not to feel sorry for her. “So I just got fired from Kaya FM. Interesting season of my life. So what’s next, Dineo?” Haike haike haike haike haike haike haike hake haike haike haike haike haike, and please don’t feel sorry for me,“ said Ranaka. Somizi Mhlongo is among those who showered the star with support, highlighting that this is the start of a greater chapter. “They didn’t fire you. They released you so that the next greater chapter can start. Otherwise,…

THE National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has announced that students whose statuses were “pending decisions” have now been assessed, and the outcome is reflected on their profile on the NSFAS portal. NSFAS said funded students will be reflected on the funding list, while those who were rejected could lodge appeals with the correct supporting documentation. “It should be noted that if the appeal option button is not available on the student’s profile, it means that the application has been declined and closed due to reasons that cannot be appealed. The updated funding list as of June 15, 2023, is available on the NSFAS portal for institutions to view,” said NSFAS. This comes amid complaints by NSFAS beneficiaries that their status had been changed from approved to rejected. “NSFAS does…

Both the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war have been a wake-up call with regard to global supply chain thinking and have highlighted a need for new international trade and investment architecture. Firstly, it shone a light on Just-in-Time (JIT) manufacturing and, secondly, it brought into question the efficacy of global value chains (GVCs) and the outsourcing of manufacturing to external jurisdictions. Modern manufacturing across the globe widely uses Just-in-Time (JIT) manufacturing processes, which is the production model in which products are created to meet demand, not created in surplus or in advance of need. Enterprises adopt the JIT approach to reduce costs, increase efficiency and speed up product delivery. To achieve these goals, however, they must eliminate waste typically associated with manufacturing, such as overproduction, unnecessary wait times and…

washington: When the leaders of Nato nations gather in Lithuania this week, President Biden and his closest allies will endeavor to send Russia a forceful message: that the West is united against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. But jeopardising their show of cohesion will be several of the same leaders joining Biden for the Vilnius summit, whose refusal to admit Sweden as the 31-nation bloc’s newest member underscores the divisions that could erode Nato’s deterrent power amid a dangerous standoff with Moscow. While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban have cited differing objections to the entry of Sweden, whose advanced military will boost Nato’s combat power, their shared status as holdouts highlights the ability of any member state to disrupt widely supported alliance…

BINDURA (Zimbabwe): A Zimbabwean court has upheld a ban on the planned campaign launch by main opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), the third of its rallies to be banned as its leader Nelson Chamisa face hurdles on his campaign trail. CCC was to launch its campaign yesterday in Bindura, about 100km north of Harare, but police banned the gathering citing problems with the venue. CCC lawyers filed an urgent application at the High Court on Friday challenging the police decision, but a judge yesterday referred the matter back to the lower court. Bindura Magistrate Mary Musika upheld the ban. | Reuters…

Banyana Banyana left-back Bongeka Gamede is eager to play in her second World Cup, saying she’ll use the opportunity to market herself to international scouts. Gamede was an unused substitute during Banyana’s debut appearance four years ago in France, but since then she’s been a regular in coach Desiree Ellis’ team. The 24-year-old Ixopo, KZN-born footballer was part of the Banyana team that made history books by winning their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco last year to qualify for their second World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand. Gamede is looking forward to the event, saying she’ll use the opportunity to show her talents to the world, having been plying her trade in the Super League with the University of Western Cape. “It has been…

Jonas Vingegaard held on to the Tour de France overall lead on the Puy de Dome volcano yesterday as Canada’s Michael Woods took a prestigious stage win for his Israel Premier-Tech team. France’s Pierre Latour crossed in second place with Slovenian Matej Mohoric rounding out the podium as the attention switched to the key fight between the favourites several minutes down the steep slopes. “I didn’t think I could make it, it was so silent up there,” said the 36-year-old Woods, who overtook American Matteo Jorgenson in the home straight with the Movistar rider wilting. Two-time Tour champion Tadej Pogacar launched an attack from 600m on the baking slopes but defending champion Vingegaard followed him over the summit finish line just seconds adrift. Dane Vingegaard still leads ahead of today’s…

MINISTER of Electricity Dr Kgosien- tsho Ramokgopa has warned that the delays being experienced in returning the 920MW Unit 1 of Koeberg Nuclear Power Station to the national grid posed a significant risk that could undermine the progress being made in implementing the Energy Action Plan. In December 2022, Eskom belatedly took Unit 1 Koeberg off line for at least six months to replace three steam generators in a bid to extend the life of the power station for an additional 20 years at an estimated cost of R20 billion. However, the power utility has pushed the deadline for returning Unit 1 to the grid twice, moving it by 45 days from the scheduled July 23, due to numerous reasons, including resource utilisation, safety incidents, physical…

THE TELKOM board has decided to walk away from talks of an unsolici- ted non-binding indicative bid with a consortium proposing to acquire its controlling stake, as the offer was “not in the best interest of shareholders”. This came after the group received an unsolicited non-binding indicative letter from the consortium which is led by its former CEO, Sipho Maseko, Afrifund Investments, comprising Axian Telecom, and the Government Employees Pension Fund, managed by the Public Investment Corporation. “The Telkom board of directors, having considered the indicative proposal, decided not to continue discussions with the consortium as the board was of the view that the indicative proposal was not in the best interest of shareholders and that the current Telkom strategy would yield better value for shareholders. “Accordingly, caution is no…

Britney Spears had been trying to “congratulate” Victor Wembanyama on his NBA success when she was allegedly struck by one of his bodyguards. The 41-year-old pop superstar – who regained control of her multimillion-dollar fortune and various aspects of her life when a conservatorship arrangement was terminated in 2021 – is said to have “grabbed” the sports player from behind when she spotted him at a restaurant in Las Vegas last week but was allegedly hit by a member of his security team and has now claimed that she “tapped him on the shoulder”, because it was such a “loud” environment. She wrote on Instagram: “Traumatic experiences are not new to me and I have had my fair share of them. I was not prepared for what happened to me…

Winter, with its icy weather and moisture-sapping indoor heating, often leaves our skin feeling dry and flaky, and our lips chapped. With a few simple at-home hacks, we can replenish what’s been lost and provide the care our skin needs. Sabashni Naidoo, managing director at Amani Spa Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, shares her tips for nurturing your skin during winter to keep it healthy and radiant. Wash your face twice a day Naidoo says skincare has fundamental regimens that we all need to incorporate into our day and night routines. These include making sure to wash with a good face or body wash every morning and evening. There are many good-quality, affordable products on the market to care for your skin, but be on the lookout for ingredients like hyaluronic…

POLICE in Tshwane have arrested about 270 suspects for various alleged offences during a crime blitz at the weekend, with 230 being the most wanted. The arrests were a part of the infamous operation Operation O Kae Molao that took place in Villieria and Kameeldrift from Wednesday last week to Saturday . The operation was a collaboration between law-enforcement agencies including Gauteng Traffic and the Tshwane Metro Police, Home Affairs, private security companies and the community policing forum. In a statement, acting district spokesperson Captain Daniel Mavimbela said the operations also zoomed into domestic violence and 64 suspects were arrested for the gender-based-violence-related offences. Mavimbela added that an additional 14 suspects were held for common robberies, one and five suspects faced charges of murder and attempted murder. “The unwavering commitment…

IN the buzzing township of Mabopane, Block B, there resides a 25-year-old young, passionate musician named Ayanda Kgare. Kgare is a part-time student in education, works as an assistant teacher and is also an actor, director and runs a group named Sedi la ka clubhouse in Mabopane for children who love music and drama. Founded in 2018, Sedi la ka clubhouse loosely translated as “Our place of creativity”, caters to children who harbour a deep love for music and drama, providing them with a safe space to learn, perform and grow. She is an aspiring actress who dreamt of getting the opportunity to play on big screens such as stage theatres. Kgare said she saw it was hard for young people without knowledge to fulfil their dreams of being actors,…

YOUTH Month, which was commemorated in June, might officially be over, but Mrs South Africa, Palesa Matjekane, is determined to assist the nation’s youngsters for the foreseeable future. As the future leaders of the country, Matjekane believes that now is the time for youth development and is using her reign to make a difference. She is currently working on a project to roll out the digital skills youth development campaign and sponsor Tsholo and Qhuweng High Schools’ students and teachers with laptops in the Vaal. She will also assist the schools’ teachers with drawing up resumés and university applications. “I am a firm believer of giving back to where you come from,” Matjekane said. “The teachers in those specific schools have taught me when I was younger. My sister also…

How many times must a man go to court and find no joy? Ten, 20 or umpteen times? For years, Jacob Zuma tried every legal loophole to get the arms deal charges dropped. But time after time, the courts stood firm and rejected each application. Then, Zuma switched tactics and wanted Judge Piet Koen to recuse himself from the corruption trial as he felt he was biased against him. The judge obliged but Zuma found no relief from his successor, Judge Nkosinathi Chili, who ruled that he stand trial on the set date. But Zuma just wouldn’t give up. He was a fighter and switched tactics again. He accused the prosecutor, advocate Billy Downer, of having an agenda against him and asked the court to remove him from his trial.…

The South African Friends of Israel visited Hammanskraal this week, to deliver water filtration kits to community members in order to prevent any further deaths as a result of the cholera outbreak. The donation of water filtration kits – which can filter and clean up to 10 000 litres of water each, was facilitated in partnership with the South African Jewish Board of Deputies in Pretoria, Cadena and the South African Zionist Federation. I share this moving story with South Africans to help our country better understand the significance of nurturing a positive, and mutually beneficial relationship with the state of Israel, and all that its people and innovation have to offer South Africa today. These water filtration kits will ensure that people have access to safe and clean drinking…

Social enterprises are organisations that promote social or environmental issues as their core business. They are useful to societies in lots of ways. They can help solve social and economic problems such as poverty and joblessness, among others. They can also help support the work of local, provincial and national government. Over the last decade a growing number of these enterprises have been started in many countries. South Africa has also seen an increase in social enterprises. But running a social enterprise isn’t easy. They need to pursue a social motive while also trying to remain sustainable with little funding. This often means that they need structures, processes and leadership acumen for both their operational success and sustainability. The performance and operation of social enterprises can be affected by a…

WASHINGTON: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said yesterday that China and the US had made progress and could build healthy economic relations beneficial for both countries and the world. Yellen held meetings with senior Chinese officials amid rising tensions over trade restrictions. “We’ve made some progress and we can have a healthy economic relationship,” she said. Yellen’s visit to China is taking place amid growing restrictions on US exports, Washington’s threats against Beijing over its co-operation with Moscow, the growth of world trade in yuan and the decreased influence of the US dollar across the globe. | Sputnik…

London: The BBC said yesterday it had suspended a male member of staff following allegations that one of its presenters paid a teenager thousands of pounds for sexually explicit photos. The Sun newspaper, which first reported the claims, cited the young person’s mother as saying that an unnamed BBC presenter paid her child over £35 000 (R842 00) for the images over a three-year period. It is also claimed that the presenter in question appeared on air for a month after the family of the young person complained to the BBC in May. | AFP…

South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis set the world alight at UFC 290 when he stopped former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the second round of their main-card bout in Las Vegas yesterday morning (SA time). Despite landing one or two well-selected and clean shots, the Australian battled to find his rhythm and failed to figure out Du Plessis’ unorthodox style. In the first round, the South African delivered good combinations on attack and defence, cutting Whittaker with an elbow. Close to the end of the first five minutes, Du Plessis secured a headlock and a takedown, where he went to work and finished the round strong as he rained down punches to the head and body just before the buzzer. During the break, Whittaker’s corner warned him not to grapple…

A MAJOR corporate stand-off is brewing between one of South Africa’s largest fishing groups, I&J Ltd, and its empowerment partners over lucrative fishing rights. AVI, parent company of I&J, has abruptly terminated a long-standing BBBEE partnership with a consortium led by prominent entrepreneur and former anti-apartheid activist Khusta Jack. Jack, chairperson of Main Street 198 Ltd, was asked to resign voluntarily or face removal from the board as I&J starts a new partnership with a different group of BEE partners. Jack has slammed AVI for adopting what he says is a revolving door approach to dealing with its BEE partners. “I told them I will not resign under duress. This is a vile perversion of the spirit and principles that underpin the policy of broad-based black economic empowerment and endeavours…

THE FOSCHINI Group board has appointed Jan Potgieter and Nkululeko Sowazi as independent non-executive directors with effect from July 10, 2023, and January 1, 2024, respectively. In a statement, the group said Potgieter will also serve as a member of the Audit and Risk Committees. “Potgieter is a Chartered Accountant (SA) and has extensive senior-level experience in the manufacturing, retail, and supply chain sectors, having most recently served as CEO of Italtile and formerly CEO of Massdiscounters, a division of Massmart. “He also served as a business manager at Clover and spent eight years at SABMiller in senior financial roles. Jan currently serves as a non-executive director on the boards of Italtile Limited and Fortress Real Estate Investments Limited. He is also chairperson of Janette Media Consulting,” it said. Sowazi…

WHILE Virgin Active’s main shareholder is preparing the multinational gym group for a listing, a small South Africa gym owner’s complaint at the Competition Commission may impact the overall market’s valuation of South Africa’s biggest gym. Body Action Gym’s complaint of anti-competitive behaviour against Discovery Vitality and the two biggest gym groups Virgin Active and Planet Fitness, on behalf of independent and smaller fitness facilities, had been referred to the Competition Tribunal, although an outcome might only be in eight months, Body Action CEO Antonio Iozzo said on Friday. He said in a telephone interview their action was initiated in September 2021 after Body Action Gym lodged a complaint with the Competition Commission. “Discovery Vitality subsidises up to 75% of their members’ gym membership fees when they sign up with…

THE PUBLISHING of the US Federal Reserve’s minutes of their previous meeting in June echoed the hawkish stance of the US Fed on interest rates as was announced by its chairperson, Jeremy Powell, during a press conference on June 14, 2023. He emphasised that in determining the extent of additional policy firming that may be appropriate to return inflation to 2% over time, the committee will take into account the cumulative tightening of monetary policy. The release of the minutes of the meeting last Wednesday afternoon showed that all the members of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) indicated that further interest rate hikes could lie ahead. The minutes led to share prices contracting on Wall Street since last Wednesday. The release of the US non-farm payrolls for June…

Keabetswe Motsilanyane has made a dramatic entrance into the popular show House of Zwide. She has been cast as advocate Nandipha Khadzi, the sister of slain Alex Khadzi, and made her debut last Wednesday. Alex was played by award-winning actor Warren Masemola. He recently exited the show after his character was accidentally shot and killed by Nkosi Zwide during a scuffle. Nandipha’s character is described as headstrong and undeterred in her quest to find out what happened to her missing brother. Their father was a wealthy and traditional polygamist who banished Alex and his mother from the family when he discovered Alex’s passion for making dresses and, occasionally, wearing them. Despite keeping her admiration for her brother a secret, Nandipha excelled academically and became a powerful lawyer, always holding the…

There is a rise in black South African women undergoing breast reduction surgery. Most don’t do it because they want to look more attractive or sexy but because of the health issues they face due to big breasts. One of my followers on Twitter used to complain a lot about back pains caused by big breasts and asked for donations so she could undergo surgery to have her breasts reduced. One may be wondering why she had to ask for donations instead of claiming it from her medical aid. The truth is, most medical aids don’t cover breast reduction. “Medical aids tend to decline breast reduction procedures because they think it’s about the look, not the function,” said Dr Bruce Lelala, a plastic surgeon responsible for Boity Thulo’s breast reduction.…

THE EFF in Tshwane has opened a criminal case against AfriForum for allegedly removing the political party’s posters in Gezina. The posters in question bore messages about the party’s 10th anniversary to be hosted at the FNB Stadium in Nasrec on July 29. Members of both parties were embroiled in a verbal altercation captured on a video posted on a social media platform on Saturday. In the video footage, some people donning EFF colours could be heard asking one of AfriForum’s supporters about reasons their party’s posters were removed from lamp-posts in Gezina. An EFF supporter claimed in the video that an AfriForum “guy” was caught on camera confirming that the posters were removed and kept in their office. On the other hand, an AfriForum supporter said: “We got a…

SCORES of government-subsidised North West Transport Investment workers marched to the Department of Transport in Pretoria in protest following four months without salaries. The march which was led by the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) to seek an intervention from Transport Minister Sindi Chikunga to find solutions and rescue North West Transport Investment. The entity is alleged to be collapsing as a result of corruption and maladministration, said union spokesperson Amanda Tshemese. The union demanded Chikunga address the non-payment of salaries “Our members and workers have not been paid their salaries for the past four months at North West Transport Investment” she said. The union had had numerous meetings with the North West MEC of Transport,Sello Lehari, the provincial treasury and the Office of Premier Bushy Maape to…

South Africa tops the list of dangerous destinations for holidaymakers, according to a study conducted by security services company American District Telegraph (ADT). The study revealed that South Africa had a safety score of just 0.81 out of 10, with more than 77% of people saying they were worried about being mugged and robbed. Renowned for its cultural diversity and breathtaking scenery, the country’s attraction is marred by a crime rating of 76.9 out of 100, taking first place as the top holiday spot for experiencing crime in the world. What’s more, the country also had a burglary rate of 852.8 per 100 000 people. The quarter two crime statistics for 2022/2023 also raised concerns about safety in South Africa. The stats revealed that burglaries at residential premises…

I gave my two little boys some cookies to eat, a packet each. Their friend shows up from nowhere, I hear them whisper a complaint: “he will finish our cookies!” As soon as their friend sat down, they forgot they just complained about him arriving. They stretched their hands out and gave him some cookies to enjoy with them. Selfishness couldn’t resist the kindness in them. The world needs us to approach it with the attitude of these little boys if we want it to be a better place for all. One does not have to express themselves for us to see they have a need. Some said a true friend sees the pain behind your fake smile! Kindness is one of the best gifts that we can offer to…

The taps ran dry at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday night – and that is no judgement served on the copious amounts of beer consumed before, during or after the match – but rather a fact concerning the lack of a water supply. No H20 for ablution pumped through the venue during the match, crammed with 50 000-plus spectators who had snacked on greasy stadium chow and sipping on one, or two, or several cold ones throughout the day. As a result, there was no way the players from either side could take a hot shower after the match. You could imagine that the Wallaby locker room had that distinct air about it, wafting with the stench of dejected defeat. Even that, however, couldn’t compare to the Wallabies’ performance on the…

Kyiv: The death toll in the attack on the Ukrainian city of Lyman has risen to at least nine, Al Jazeera reported yesterday, citing the authorities. The city, retaken by Ukrainian forces last year, was rocketed by Russian troops, said Pavlo Kyrylenko, head of the Ukrainian military administration in the Donetsk region. Residential blocks were explicitly targeted in the attack on Saturday, he said. Earlier the toll was reported as eight people killed and 13 injured in the Russian shelling at about 10am local time. Russian forces launched multiple launch rockets towards a private residential area. | ANI…

Bafana Bafana head coach for the Cosafa Cup Morena Ramoreboli has waved away any concerns about the team’s wastefulness in front of goal after their narrow win over Botswana. The national men’s football team was required to come back from a goal down for the second game running as they scraped past the Zebras 2-1 in their second group match of the tournament. Before Thatayaone Kgamanye gave the visitors the lead in the 63rd minute, Bafana were guilty of spurning plenty of chances, including an empty net in the first half. The hosts were able to hit back by scoring two goals in two minutes after Botswana had gone a man down, and they would go on to create several more chances with the extra space their were afforded. Victor…

Kaizer Chiefs only have themselves to blame regarding the Khama Billiat fiasco. On Saturday, the club released a statement saying that they had offered Billiat a new deal after his contract expired on June 30, but he was yet to sign. To make things worse, the Zimbabwean was nowhere to be found as he didn’t report for pre-season training with the rest of the squad, with his last visit to Naturena being on June 29. Granted, Chiefs have every right to be concerned about Billiat’s well-being, but they should have also read between the lines that maybe he doesn’t want to be found – if he is safe wherever he is. This could be because he is still considering his options, especially if the new deal means he has to…

Paris Saint-Germain signed Bayern Munich defender Lucas Hernandez yesterday in the club’s fifth signing in less than a week. The French 2018 Fifa World Cup winner joins Manuel Ugarte, Milan Skriniar, Marco Asensio and Lee Kang-in as Parc des Princes newcomers since Luis Enrique’s appointment as coach last Wednesday. Hernandez has signed a contract until 2028 at the Qatari-backed club who are approaching the upcoming season with Enrique now in the dugout after the sacking of Christophe Galtier. “I’m feeling so happy, I’ve been waiting to join PSG for some time now and at last it’s happened,” said Hernandez, who will be experiencing Ligue 1 for the first time in his career. The 27-year-old’s transfer was estimated at around €40-million (about R825-million) by a source close to the deal, which…