Star -julkaisun 2025-02-17 -irtonumeron sisällysluettelo

Product opportunities are still at scoping and prefeasibility stages, says SASA CEO Mhlaba “It is important to note that most product diversification opportunities are still at scoping and prefeasibility stages,” said SASA CEO, Sfiso Mhlaba. The South African sugar industry has announced ambitious plans for product diversification, including plans for bioethanol petrol, sustainable aviation fuel, and electricity generation, in a bid to counter the challenges such as the sugar tax. This was announced by the South African Sugar Association (SASA) on Friday as part of the second phase of the Sugarcane Value Chain Masterplan 2030 to ensure the survival of 25 000 cane farmers nationally. Brian Tait, a consultant for SASA, said that product diversification was necessary, adding that sugarcane has many uses and product diversification will ensure the survival…

Gross domestic product (GDP) growth is a critical barometer of a nation’s economic health, reflecting the overall vitality of economic activity. When GDP expands, businesses see a rise in demand, consumer spending increases, and production ramps up. This growth creates a greater need for capital, which banks supply through loans and other financial products. In turn, banks benefit from this expansion as it leads to more transactions, investments, and an increased demand for financial services—ranging from working capital to infrastructure funding and individual lending. In a growing economy, the banking sector plays a pivotal role in sustaining and promoting that growth. By facilitating the flow of capital, enabling investments, and supporting business expansion, banks serve as intermediaries between savers and borrowers. The health of the banking industry not only reflects…

America may want South Africa to follow its lead and drive on its side of the road, but it is crucial for South Africa, and Africa as a whole, to chart its own course without yielding to pressure or intimidation. US President Donald Trump has been issuing executive orders since he assumed office. These are quite consequential. Amongst these are the closure of USAID. He has not run out of ink, nor has he run out of targets as he furthers America’s agenda. However, South Africa is suffering the consequences of being singled out as it sits between the tug of war of the West and BRICS alliances. “South Africa is doing bad things,” he has argued, and South Africa consequently became the target of his ink and paper. Trump…

The majority shareholding in Anglo American Platinum has shifted under a related party transaction for administrative purposes, with the deal now awaiting approvals from the Takeover Regulation Panel. Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) said on Friday that Anglo American South Africa has reduced its shareholding in the company from 66.7% to 0% ahead of Anglo American’s demerger of the platinum group metals (PGM) unit. Anglo American International is the new majority shareholder in Amplats. The transaction is part of an internal re-organisation exercise being undertaken by Anglo American. “Anglo American South Africa Proprietary Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anglo American, has notified the company that it has disposed of its entire 66.7% beneficial interest in the securities of the company to Anglo American International Limited, which is also a wholly owned…

Aveng, the international engineering and Africa mining contractor group, said on Friday it expects to report a loss per share of between A$25.3 cents and A$25.4 cents for the six months to December 31. A headline loss per share of between A$26 cents and A$27 cents is likely, compared with earnings per share of A$0.6 cents and headline earnings per share of A$8.8 cents in the prior period, the group said in a trading statement. The group, which operates the McConnell Dowell infrastructure construction engineering group and the Moolmans mining contractor services company, said the New Zealand & Pacific Islands business unit continues to deliver a strong performance. The Australia and South-east Asia business units had underperformed on certain projects awarded prior to the COVID-19 period. The majority of these…

The openly gay Musilim priest from Cape Town, Moegsien Hendricks, was gunned down in the Eastern Cape on Saturday morning while in Gqeberha to marry a lesbian couple. As the first openly gay Imam, Hendricks fearlessly championed an all-inclusive, compassion-centered Islam, dedicating his life to creating safe spaces for queer Muslims, and redefining faith as a source of healing rather than harm. That is how the Global Interfaith Network (GIN), an organisation of gender and sexual minority people of faith, of which Hendricks was a founding member, described him following his murder at the weekend. As police continue to search for the two shooters, prominent Muslim organisations have urged the public not to speculate, calling for calm to allow due process. Hendricks had reportedly been in Gqeberha to marry a…

The Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources has been criticised for being silent about the alleged violation of human rights, which resulted in the death of more than 80 zama zamas at the Buffelsfontein Gold Mine near Stilfontein. Civil society organisations Mining Affected Communities United in Action (Macua) and Women Affected by Mining United in Action (Wamua) have expressed disappointment over the committee's silence. In a letter dated February 14, Macua and Wamua said it was “well-documented that at least 89 artisanal miners perished due to state-enforced starvation and violent repression”. The organisations said the South African Police Service (SAPS), under government instruction, deliberately sealed off access to food, water and medical aid while preventing any lawful exit from the mine shafts. The organisations said despite the gravity of…

The bid to save the embattled Ithala Bank from liquidation has received a major boost from King Misuzulu kaZwelithini who has convened an imbizo (a mass gathering) to discuss measures to save the bank from collapse. The bank is in a legal battle with the South African Reserve Bank’s Prudential Authority which has filed papers in the Pietermaritzburg High Court for its provisional liquidation. Although the Prudential Authority cited non-compliance as the reason for the application, the matter has been turned into a political football by politicians and other stakeholders who are opposed to the closure of the bank. In a statement, the king’s former Traditional Prime Minister Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, said the imbizo will take place on Friday at the newly built royal palace, Emashobeni, near Pongola on the…

Thousands of Afrikaners gathered outside the US Embassy in Pretoria on Saturday, to show their support for US President Donald Trump. Some among the crowd gathered outside the embassy were seen with posters saying “Mr Donald Trump Thank You Very Much” and “Make South Africa Great Again”and “Recognise the White Nation like Israel was recognised”. Willem Petzer, who according to his Facebook page is an Afrikaner commentator, posted a video on social media where he said that more than 3 000 people were at the rally. In a YouTube video, Petzer said people were there to show their support for Trump’s actions against the SA government due to the Expropriation Act. Petzer said that a memorandum signed by 138 000 people was also handed to the US Embassy. A YouTube…

Alexi Bizos, who assaulted his now former wife more than nine years ago at their home, which left her with severe injuries, including six broken ribs, was eventually sentenced to a hefty fine and he has to perform community service at a shelter for abused women. The Johannesburg Magistrates Court sentenced Bizos, son of the late struggle stalwart George Bizos, on Friday to a R100,000 fine or one year imprisonment, as well as to six months correctional supervision, which includes 20 hours a month of community service at shelters for abused women. AfriForum’s private prosecuting unit, which represented Bizos’ ex-wife, Monique van Oosterhout, welcomed the sentence and said it sends out a strong message to perpetrators of gender-based violence. Years after punching Van Oosterhout at their Johannesburg home, Bizos was…

RESIDENTS of Nogqala village in the Eastern Cape had to turn to court to force their municipality to build them an access road and to complete a bridge to connect their village to a nearby town because, as things stand, they have to cross a river on foot to get to the clinic, shops, and the school. The residents said that for years now they had to carry their loved ones who had died through the river in a bid to bury them. The AB Xuma Local Municipality (respondent) has started to construct the bridge, but it failed to start work on the access road, the community told the Eastern Cape High Court, sitting in Mthatha. The applicants asked the court to compel the municipality to construct the Nogqala access…

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS (2) 2 Matthews 8; Aubaas 27 MPHENI HOME DEFENDERS 0 IT WAS NOT the massacre it promised to be as Sundowns’ flying start to this Nedbank round of 16 clash with the lower division outfit fizzled into somewhat of a grind. Tashreeq Matthews opened the scoring on eight minutes with a cheeky back-heel after being set up by Arthur Sales to give rise to hopes of a score similar to the 24-0 hammering they handed to Powerlines FC a few years ago. Earlier on, Sales had missed a sitter on three minutes, the Brazilian scuffing the ball wide with just the goalkeeper to beat. Given the ease with which they carved the Limpopo outfit open, you’d have thought the country’s best team was going to make it rain…

The Stormers' next three games away from home will likely determine their survival in the United Rugby Championship (URC). After going down 30-23 to a rampant attacking Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday, the return North vs South derby against the Bulls on 1 March at Loftus Versfeld becomes crucial to win. While they are still within reach of the playoffs, the losing streak they are currently on does not spell well for their ambitions of breaking into the top eight of the tournament. After the clash with the Bulls in two weeks, they travel to Scarlets in Wales (21 March) and Ulster in Ireland (28 March) for their final touring campaign matches. “Not winning against the Lions puts us in a position where we must win two of the…

Arne Slot hailed Liverpool's fighting spirit as the "fatigued" Premier League leaders survived a tense 2-1 win against Wolves on Sunday. Slot's side moved seven points clear of second-placed Arsenal thanks to Luis Diaz's early opener and a Mohamed Salah penalty before the interval at Anfield. It wasn't easy for Liverpool despite that strong start as fourth-bottom Wolves hit back impressively. Matheus Cunha's blast reduced the deficit and Liverpool had to hold on in the closing stages before they could celebrate a first win in three games in all competitions. Indebted to Alisson Becker for some crucial saves, Liverpool boss Slot said: "This one is big. We needed to fight and we needed Alisson. "Wolves took a lot of risks. In a season where you want to achieve something, you…

Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), which was dubbed by the World Bank amongst worst performing port operators in the world last year, has refuted the moniker with far improved vessels turnaround times and with original equipment manufacturers on speed dial. In an interview with Business Report last week, CEO Jabu Mdaki said TPT was receiving essential new equipment ahead of schedule as it sets for further developments from a R4 billion capex a year over the next four years. “We do believe that the improvements are showing. The fact that shipping lines are no longer facing delays is talking to the improvements that the shipping lines themselves are experiencing. So, our expectation is that this should be reflected in whatever index or indices that the World Bank is producing but certainly,…

The Steinhoff implosion, an accounting scandal at Tongaat Hulett, and dodgy financials at Enron are all examples of corporate fraud that were laid bare through sources that put key information into the public domain. The latest development in the Steinhoff matter came on Friday, when two additional executives, Hein Odendal and Iwan Schelbert, handed themselves over to police as part of an ongoing investigation into fraud at the company by the Hawks. The two, who were charged with several contraventions of legislation, were released on bail of R150 000 at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. Odendal, Schelbert, and another accused, the company’s former legal head, Stephanus Grobler, will appear in court again on May 30. The alleged mastermind behind the fraud, the then CEO and now deceased and disgraced,…

Last week, much of the discussion in South Africa, both in the media and private conversations, revolved around the actions of the Trump administration against the country. Concerns centred on the potential non-renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) privileges in September, the US boycott of the G20 summit in South Africa later this year, and the imposition of additional tariffs beyond the existing 25% duty on imported steel. Economists and analysts have begun assessing the potential impact of these measures on South Africa’s economy, including possible job losses, a significant depreciation of the rand, the risk of a recession, and the withdrawal of billions in foreign investment and portfolio capital. However, estimates suggest that losing Agoa benefits would have a relatively minor impact, with GDP expected to…

Nampak Zimbabwe is grappling with a challenging operating environment, compelling the company to implement cost-containment measures as it prepares to divest its stake to Zimbabwe-listed entity TSL. This move comes as Zimbabwe's economic landscape faces significant challenges exacerbated by recent policy changes and ongoing currency instability. John Van Gend, Nampak Zimbabwe’s managing director, said on Friday that “the operating environment in Zimbabwe is undeniably complex, impacted by policy changes and currency” instability. Zimbabwe has just made currency policy changes that are likely to impact timeous reporting by companies. While the paper and packaging giant said it had transitioned to US dollar financial reporting, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has directed that all companies use the local currency for all company reporting. Van Gend said he expected that the government of…

In the world of showbiz, it’s not uncommon for stars to keep their nearest and dearest close, blending friendship with professional pursuits. A shining example of this is South African musician and now fashion icon, Tyla. The rising global star has brought her best friend, Thato Nzimande, along for the ride – officially making her the creative director for her Push 2 Start music video. And fans are absolutely loving it. A throwback video of Tyla and Nzimande as high schoolers recently made a comeback on X, showing the two fooling around in a dance challenge. Fast forward a few years, and they’re working side by side, creating one of the most talked-about music videos right now. It’s the kind of full-circle moment that has netizens gushing, with fans applauding…

Minke Marais is determined to use her leading role in the new Afrikaans telenovela Reënboogrant to assist those navigating the challenges of youth. The 23-year-old plays high schooler Shani Brink on the Showmax series, which also airs on kykNET (DStv channel 144). The rest of the star-studded cast includes Wyfie star Mila de Villiers, Diepe Waters duo Johnny Potsanyane and Righard van Jaarsveld and ex-Miss Teen Namibia finalist, Marelee Ferreira. It is produced by Sonvelt Media, with South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) and Silwerskerm winner Desiré Gardner as the head writer and with André Velts as the director. The show is inspired by Louise van Niekerk’s best-selling 90s novels of the same name. Set in Tshwane, it centres around the Brink family, which includes sisters Shani and Sunette…

EFF leader Julius Malema ,who visited the St Paul’s Apostolic African Church in Soweto yesterday, urged the church to help in the fight against landlessness. Addressing a packed congregation, at the church’s thanksgiving feast, Malema talked tough on the issue of land and transformation. He did not shy away from the recent stand off between South Africa and the US. Malema also spoke about crime, gender-based violence and femicide and substance abuse. He said he would not be bullied by Elon Musk, who recently labelled Malema an “international criminal” on social media, and Trump. Musk’s statement was in reference to a 2018 social media post in which Malema declared, “We will cut the throat of whiteness”. Malema in the post made the statement as he advocated for the removal of…

AN elderly man from Durban is demanding answers about who opened an account with TymeBank where his more than R37 000 from the taxman was deposited in July last year without his knowledge and withdrawn immediately. Jairaj Sathdav, 68, was shocked to learn that the refund mysteriously ended up in the TymeBank account, which he did not know about. The retired former Standard Bank clerk said SARS refunded him for deducting tax from his R8 500 medical aid monthly premiums. More shocking was that the account was opened using his details without his consent. He said every year, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) would deposit his refund into his Standard Bank account. “After I completed the tax returns, the refund was processed but was deposited into the wrong account.…

A company that was taken to task earlier for paying its workers in terms of the “piece work” system - meaning that they were paid according to how much work they completed - tried in vain to have an order suspended in which it was forced to pay these workers the legal wage. In one instance, a female worker, who had worked an entire month, only took home R500. Crown Household, a Germiston-based company that manufactures and packages wire pot scourers, was earlier told by the CCMA that its “piece work” system was unlawful. The CCMA ordered the employer to pay the workers the money that they were owed in terms of the national minimum wage. In terms of the CCMA award, the payment of the wages had to be…

In a shocking incident that has raised eyebrows in Isipingo, Durban, authorities arrested three men suspected of tampering with a corpse and attempting to evade justice. PT Alarms spokesperson Dhevan Govindasamy said that on Saturday morning, on-duty PT Alarms members saw three men pushing a wheelbarrow with what appeared to be the body of an adult man in Malabar Hills. The members immediately stopped and investigated. “It was discovered that the body of an African male, believed to be in his 30s, was being moved by the men,” Govindasamy said. “There were no visible physical injuries on the deceased and it was unknown how he passed on.” Govindasamy said that when the men were questioned, they gave conflicting stories. Theyy were detained until police arrived and took them to the…

More than 300 white South African Christian leaders have signed a statement rejecting claims by the US of victimisation, violence and hateful rhetoric against white people in South Africa along with the Expropriation Act. “As white South Africans in active leadership within the Christian community, representing diverse political and theological perspectives, we unanimously reject these claims,” a statement from the White South African Christian Leaders read. “We make this statement as white South Africans because these claims are being made about us and our experience in this place. “The narrative presented by the US government is founded on fabrications, distortions, and outright lies. It does not reflect the reality of our country and, if anything, serves to heighten existing tensions in South Africa,” the Christian leaders said. “It also detracts…

Scores of Soweto residents eager to receive their title deeds gathered at the Phiri Community Hall, Soweto on Saturday where MMC for Human Settlements in the City of Johannesburg, Mlungisi Mabaso, and City of Joburg Mayor Dada Morero handed out 50 deeds to residents. Among these was 73-year-old Bernice Mofokeng, who could not hide her joy after being handed her own title deed following three decades of waiting. “I feel very happy and relieved because I have been struggling for a long time to get the document that proves that the house belongs to me. “There have been numerous fights among some of my family members after my mother’s passing,” she said. Mofokeng ,who resides with seven of her grandchildren, revealed that her mother took ownership of the home more…

Kaizer Chiefs’ project is not even halfway done but such is the brewing mindset within the team, that the Amakhosi are convinced they are heading in the right direction. Coach Nasreddine Nabi made this bold declaration after his team reached the Nedbank Cup quarter-final after beating Chippa United on Saturday. Chiefs beat the Chilli Boys 3-0 at home to not only progress to the third round of the competition, but keep their chances of winning a trophy in 10 years alive. The 59-year-old hasn’t been able to hit the ground running. He has struggled to keep a consistent front, despite the resilience of the club’s youngsters. Chiefs have, however, shown vast improvement all-round in the last few weeks, winning back-to-back matches, including in the Betway Premiership and Nedbank Cup. The…

The role that Proteas fast bowler Lungi Ngidi will play in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy has become even more important, given that the side is without Anrich Nortje and Gerald Coetzee due to injuries. As a new ball bowler, Ngidi will be entrusted with making early inroads into the opposition's batting order and is also expected to come back into the attack in the middle overs and at the death. The 28-year-old has struggled to fulfil his role in the recently concluded Tri-series against Pakistan and New Zealand last week, returning figures of 0/54 and 1/74 in the two matches and being largely ineffective. The opposition batters have also taken a liking to his bowling, often targeting his overs to score boundaries while respecting the other bowlers at the…

AmaZulu FC's hopes for silverware this season came to an abrupt end as they were eliminated from the Nedbank Cup by Marumo Gallants, following a narrow defeat at the DR Molemela Stadium on Saturday. The match, which marked another missed opportunity for the Durban-based side, was marred by contentious refereeing decisions that have drawn the ire of co-coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi. Gallants struck first in the 18th minute with a stunning solo effort from Junior Zindoga. The goal came at a time when AmaZulu were trying to find their footing in a game that promised much but ultimately delivered disappointment. The result means AmaZulu have now exited two major competitions this season, after also failing to progress in the Carling Knockout Cup earlier in the year. The match's turning point came…

South Africa’s economic landscape is bracing for a challenging fiscal period, with government revenue and expenditure gaps projected to stay above 4% of gross domestic product (GDP) for the 2025/26 financial year. This persistent discrepancy, as noted by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana during the October 2024 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, may hinder the government's ability to stabilize its financial footing amidst rising debt levels. Nedbank economist Isaac Matshego anticipates that Godongwana will present a more optimistic economic outlook in the forthcoming budget speech, boosted by favourable weather conditions and an improved electricity supply. These factors, coupled with subdued inflation rates and reasonable global demand, create a conducive environment for economic growth. However, Matshego warns that significant downside risks linger, primarily due to the looming threat of an escalating trade war…

I will eat my hat if we get to the end of 2025 and SA still benefits from the African Growth and Opportunities Act (Agoa), the US legislation giving preferential access to the American market for most African states. Agoa is not a trade agreement and although valuable I believe the cost of the preferential access is beginning to outweigh the benefits. The decision our politicians need to make is if we are better of waiting for the axe to fall or whether we should choose the time and terms of our exit. I don’t believe grovelling before President Trump will accomplish anything. Trump seems determine to punish South Africa for things we mostly haven't done, but in a world untroubled by facts, this doesn’t seem to bother the First…

Workers and the nation await the pending 2025/26 Budget due to be tabled at Parliament by the Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana. The working class has borne the brunt of our many painful socio-economic crises, from a dangerously high 41.9% unemployment to entrenched levels of poverty and inequality, endemic crime and corruption, a high and rising costs of living, struggling public and municipal services, and embattled State-Owned Enterprises. South Africa has been battling to attract domestic and foreign investment, a matter made worse with our grey listing. The current geopolitical tensions will exacerbate these. We have normalised these crises when they require decisive action to overcome them. While many factors are beyond our control, we must use the tools at our disposal. Our most important weapon is the Budget.…

Metair Investments said headline earnings from continuing operations are expected to fall between 0% and 20% as it continues to face challenging operating conditions in the automotive industry and the impact of geopolitical factors. In a trading statement for the year to December 31 released on Friday, the automotive component manufacturer and energy storage group said it expected headline earnings per share (HEPS) of between 78.56 cents and 98 cents. Total HEPS, which includes the Türkiye battery manufacturer Mutlu Group, which was disposed of in December due to the financial instability in that country, would amount to a headline loss per share of between 185.33 cents and 212.33 cents, compared with HEPS of 135 cents last year. Due to a debt restructuring and other corporate activities being undertaken, the full-year…

South African music sensation L’vovo Derrango, born Thokozani Ndlovu, proves that resilience and passion can overcome even the most daunting challenges. Following a debilitating stroke in 2022 that left his fans and the industry reeling, the beloved entertainer is making remarkable strides in his recovery journey, passionately documenting every step of the way. Best known for his energetic performances and chart-topping hits, Derrango faced a difficult road to regain his health and return to the stage he so passionately loves. However, recent updates from the star have painted an encouraging picture of hope and determination. Through years of therapy and unwavering support from family, friends, and loyal fans, he is gradually reinventing his life, as evident in newfound social media posts showcasing him engaged in rehabilitation exercises, steadily regaining strength…

Johannesburg residents face continued water supply disruptions as Mayor Dada Morero pledges full restoration within seven days. Amid mounting public criticism and social media backlash, the city has been grappling with infrastructure challenges while Rand Water has warned of possible system collapse. Morero addressed the public on Friday outside Rand Water’s Eikenhof pump station in the southern part of the city, following accusations that he had been absent throughout the ongoing water crisis. He said in the meantime, Johannesburg Water has committed to try to increase the number of water tankers in the affected areas. “Now you see the reservoirs starting to fill up, a few areas already have water back. But we are now committing ourselves to the residents of Johannesburg that in the next seven days, everyone will…

THE City of Johannesburg has suspended the Rea Vaya feeder bus service in Soweto following the murder of two drivers earlier this month after pressure from the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) in the municipality. The incident occurred on February 3 and buses were withdrawn. However, two days later services resumed, which angered the Cosatu affiliate. Samwu said the resumption of operations under the circumstances was not only irresponsible and rushed but also a betrayal of the trust workers and commuters place in the city to protect them. According to the union, the attack on the drivers was well-planned and executed and placed the lives of both drivers and commuters at risk as the perpetrators remain at large and the threat of further violence loomed large. Samwu also complained that…

THE role of unregistered SIM cards in about 60% of extortion attempts has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act (RICA). This statistic, revealed in Parliament this week by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, underscores the growing exploitation of South Africa’s lax SIM card registration system by criminals, putting the safety and security of citizens at increased risk. Rica, enacted in 2002, was designed to ensure that all SIM cards are registered to their users, providing law enforcement with a critical tool to trace criminal activity effectively. However, with an estimated 60 million prepaid SIM cards incorrectly registered each year, the system is failing to deliver on its promise. “The lack of enforcement of RICA is not just a regulatory…

CO-OPERATIVE Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa has promised leaders of the Khoi and San community that they will take their seats in houses of traditional leaders in all three spheres of government. Hlabisa was speaking at the three-day all-inclusive national convention of the Khoi and San community leaders at the Birchwood Conference Centre, in Ekurhuleni, set to discuss and find permanent solutions to challenges raised by the community, including their recognition. He described the convention as a national consultation that should contribute to bringing about unity and ultimately cooperation on the leadership and the process for the Khoi and San communities. Hlabisa said there is a National House of Traditional and Khoi and San Leaders but the Khoi and San are not there and are only there by name.…

RESIDENTS of Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, were given the assurance that the water in the area is safe to drink, following reports on Friday of poor water quality. An urgent meeting was convened by the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo, Executive Mayor of City of Tshwane, Nasiphi Moya, and Magalies Water to clarify the situation regarding a water supply interruption that led to temporary turbidity in the drinking water in Hammanskraal. They confirmed that the water is now safe to drink. It was agreed that officials from the City and Magalies Water would meet weekly to ensure proper coordination and clear communication to the public regarding any water supply disruptions. The stakeholders explained that Magalies Water experienced a power failure at its Klipdrift Water Treatment Works earlier…

The Department of Home Affairs has detained controversial Miss Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina’s mother in Cape Town. The department’s spokesperson, Siya Qoza, said their investigators, assisted by the police, swooped in on Anabela Rungo on Saturday morning. “Investigators from the Department of Home Affairs, assisted by the South African Police Service (SAPS), this morning detained Anabela Rungo, the mother of Chidimma Adetshina, at a property in Cmape Town. “The department withdrew Rungo’s South African documentation in September 2024 after finding that it had been fraudulently obtained, rendering her ineligible to continue residing in South Africa. “In an apparent act of brazen disregard for the legal consequences of her conduct, it appears that Rungo has defied her ‘undesirable’ status through her Mozambican passport. “Investigations are ongoing into further potential misrepresentation and fraudulent…

The Lions are eyeing more local derby success in the United Rugby Championship (URC) following an inspiring win over the Stormers this past weekend. However, they can't celebrate the victory too long as the Bulls await at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday in the return Jukskei derby, another crucial outing for the Johannesburg side. While they didn't get the opportunity to surpass the Cape outfit on the official URC points log, they are only one point from it with two games in hand. A bonus point win this weekend will also see them surge into the top eight. “We haven't beaten the Stormers in a while and this makes it worthwhile,” Van Rooyen said about the performance. “There are still a lot of things we can look at, but I think…

It is time for the Bulls to come out of their shell on attack and not just rely on their forwards to win. That will be the message from coach Jake White to his players on Monday when they meet at Loftus Versfeld to look back on Saturday’s 29-19 United Rugby Championship defeat to the Sharks. The result should be seen as an upset, considering the strengths of the teams fielded in Pretoria – and the fact that it was a home game for the Bulls. In addition, the way in which the hosts absolutely decimated the visitors in the scrums and driving mauls – which saw the Sharks concede three yellow cards at the same time to go down to 12 players – should have resulted in a comfortable…

World No 5 Jessica Pegula believes the handling of high-profile doping cases involving Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek has shown that the "process is completely broken". And top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka admits she cannot trust the tennis anti-doping system and has become "too scared" of it. Sinner’s long doping saga came to an end on Saturday after he agreed to a three-month ban from tennis, the world No 1 admitting "partial responsibility" for team mistakes which led to him twice testing positive for traces of clostebol in March last year. Sinner was facing a potential ban of two years after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against his initial exoneration by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), announced in August. In a surprising…