Tabla de contenidos para 2025-09-03 en Cape Times

Analysts say giant retailer has outperformed other retailers in terms of growth Shoprite Holdings’ annual sales surpassed R250 billion for the first time and it created 8 723 jobs after opening a net 281 stores in the year to June 29. South Africa’s biggest grocery store group, with 2 863 corporate-owned and managed stores, said Tuesday that revenue increased by 8.6% to R256.7bn for the year. Group merchandise sales increased by 8.9% to R252.7bn. Trading profit from continuing operations increased by 16.6% to R15bn. Customer visits increased by 4.4%, and average basket spend increased by 4.8%. The core division, Supermarkets RSA’s merchandise sales increased by 9.5% to R213.5 bn. Diluted headline earnings per share (DHEPS) increased by 15.8% to 1,367.2 cents. The full-year dividend increased by 9.7% to 781 cents.…

Motus Holdings saw a significant turnaround in the second half of its financial year, with better sales, profit margin recovery, and improved operational efficiencies, following focused management actions after a muted first half. Trading for the automotive group in the first half had been marked by economic uncertainty across the group’s operating regions, high interest rates, and intensified competition. The results appeared to be favourably received by investors, as the share price rose 3.87% to R108.43 on the JSE Tuesday morning, at a time when the JSE All-Share Index was down 0.53%. “As we continue to navigate the structural shifts in the automotive industry, our strategies, underpinned by our operational agility, mitigate against cyclicality and position Motus well for sustainable, profitable growth,” said CEO Ockert Janse van Rensburg. The non-vehicle…

Let’s follow Poland and resurrect our pioneering spirit It is not often that I look at other countries with envy, but last week I was thoroughly green with envy because of a city that most of us have never heard of. The beautiful and ancient city of Włocławek in Poland will soon be home to that country’s first small modular reactor. Poland’s state-controlled energy utility, Orlen (PKN Orlen), in conjunction with the privately owned Synthos Green Energy (OSGE) – collectively known as Orlen Synthos Green Energy – has agreed on an operating model that shows how, with synergy, joint ambition between the public and private sectors, and a shared appreciation of the long-term benefits of nuclear energy, major sustainable milestones can be achieved. The site-selection decision follows a year-long negotiation…

Vusimuzi Cat Matlala's relationship with Brown Mogotsi, his elaborate plan to lure his former girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane, and the lump payments to some of the accused are among the evidence that the investigating officer has presented in court records. The State said that it has sufficient evidence that Matlala, who has allegedly used fraudulent documents and invoices, is a dangerous mastermind who could easily flee South Africa if granted bail. Matlala appeared on his own for his bail application, which was postponed to September 8. The State is relying on the affidavit deposed by the lead investigator, who remains anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter. “The State seeks to oppose the applicant's bail application because the applicant is a dangerous criminal who is charged with murder, conspiracy to…

A divorced man has been declared a vexatious litigant due to his relentless pursuit of grievances stemming from an unfavourable divorce settlement. The man had taken his cases through multiple layers of the judicial system, culminating in appeals to the Constitutional Court, only to find himself repeatedly unsuccessful. The man’s ex-wife sought the relief of the court to have him declared a vexatious litigant due to ongoing legal proceedings instituted by the man, who has attempted to avoid fulfilling the obligations imposed on him by the divorce order in August 2020. Western Cape High Court Judge Lister Nuku said that since the granting of the divorce order, the woman has had to contend with at least ten unsuccessful applications brought by her ex-husband, who is yet to pay any of…

THE Mitchells Plain community policing forum says the shooting of another person who left the court on Monday was a clear hit. Mitchells Plain Community Policing Forum (CPF) Chairperson Norman Janjies told the Daily Voice there was no end to the bloodshed within the community. This after a 32-year-old man was shot at Town Centre, Eastridge just after midday on Monday. The shooting comes days after City Safety and Security chief JP Smith announced that new CCTV cameras were installed in the area. Jantjies said: “What we know from (the) incident is that the person was coming from court. "I think the case was involving maintenance. It was clearly an execution, but we do not know the perpetrators. “We hope the police will try and use the video footage to…

This has been Keshav Maharaj's winter. A World Test Championship medal, backed up with his coronation as South Africa’s Cricketer of the Year, then honoured with the Proteas Test captaincy followed by his ascent to the lofty perch as the No 1-ranked ODI bowler in the world. The first match of the one-day series against England yesterday was simply an extension of the most storied period of Maharaj's career. After picking up his maiden ODI five-for on the recent Australian tour, the crafty left-arm spinner added another brilliant 4/22 in just 5.3 overs here at Headingley in Leeds. Along with Wiaan Mulder’s equally impressive 3/33, England were routed for just 131, with the tourists knocking off the target in a mere 20.5 overs to complete a comprehensive seven-wicket victory. "A…

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen said that they are making progress in addressing the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in South Africa. Steenhuisen, in a statement on Monday, said that the FMD) situation in the country remains a matter of great concern. “I am pleased to report that the outbreaks which afflicted the Eastern Cape in 2024 have not resurfaced in 2025. The last outbreak in the Eastern Cape occurred in September 2024. Following extensive surveillance in and around the affected areas, the Disease Management Area (DMA) was lifted on 4 July 2025,” added Steenhuisen. Steenhuisen said that the affected farms in the Humansdorp and East London areas remain under quarantine, following the lifting of restrictions, and are undergoing final testing to confirm the absence of the FMD virus.…

South Africa’s energy transition is unfolding in the midst of ageing coal stations, constrained grid infrastructure, and an urgent need for new investment. Without coherence and alignment, these pressures risk undermining growth and stability. Last week, we examined the idea of a unifying focus for South Africa’s electricity sector and proposed the phrase: “investing in energy security to enable sustainable, low-carbon industrialisation and universal access to electricity.” We noted that the sector is currently paralysed by contested institutional battles. This conflict is evident in several ways: Eskom’s attempt to claw back R94 billion in revenue following calculation errors by the energy regulator; its obstruction of the unbundling of the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA); and Eskom Distribution’s court challenge againstthe issuing of trading licences to independent traders. Against…

The ANC in Limpopo, a province often regarded as one of the party's strongest holds, is currently grappling with a significant internal shake-up after its Provincial Executive Committee confirmed that its provincial chair, Stan Mathabatha, has asked to vacate office. Mathabatha formally informed the party's national executive committee (NEC) of his decision to ‘step aside’ from his duties as provincial leader with immediate effect. This comes amid serious allegations of misconduct and a departure from ANC values within the provincial structures, particularly concerning controversial regional conferences of Vhembe and Waterberg. ANC Limpopo spokesperson Jimmy Machaka confirmed the receipt of Mathabatha's letter yesterday, saying that the provincial structure had seen a copy of the letter written to ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula. “The ANC in Limpopo confirms that it has received a…

Is the DA genuine with its call or simply playing politics? As crime continues to ravage the country, questions have been constantly asked on many fronts. At a macro level, the national government is blamed for lacking strategies to combat crime. This is an indictment of the government and its failure to protect its citizens. At a micro level, the blame lands squarely on the local police stations and their leadership for failing to put proactive measures in place to prevent crime from happening, instead of reacting once crime has already been committed. This situation is compounded by the allegations recently made by KwaZulu-Natal’s Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Among other things, Mkhwanazi alleged that some in the top brass of the police force are perpetuating crime instead of combating it.…

The past is the past, and the Springboks won’t rely on their recent victories over the All Blacks, thinking it will help them secure a win on Saturday in Auckland. They want to stay in the present and prepare as best they can for the historic encounter at Eden Park (9.05am kick-off) against their arch-rivals. It will be the first time since 2013 that the teams face each other at the iconic stadium. New Zealand are unbeaten at the ground since 1994, while the world champions haven’t won there since 1937. The Boks are on a four-match winning streak against the All Blacks and will look to make it a historic first victory in the modern era to keep their run going against their hosts. According to Kolbe, who will…

The notion that the Springbok Women would relax for Sunday’s final Pool D encounter against France at Franklin's Gardens in Northampton, with their place in the World Cup quarter-finals already secured, was dispelled in no uncertain terms by SA flyhalf Libbie Janse van Rensburg. Yesterday, Janse van Rensburg said the emotions of relief, gratitude, pride, and joy after Sunday’s dramatic 29-24 win over Italy in York are still lingering around the team, but there is also a growing desire and determination for more of the same. SA and France qualified for the playoffs with victories over Italy and Brazil at the weekend, and will now fight it out for pool honours. The Bok Women made history with a number of firsts: qualifying for the World Cup quarter-finals; beating Italy; and…

Intensive energy users in South Africa are sounding the alarm over rising costs and impending job losses, as recent decisions by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) threaten the financial viability of crucial industries. The Energy Intensive Users Group (EIUG) on Tuesday raised concerns that Eskom's recent settlement of R54 billion electricity price determination could lead to significant increases in electricity tariffs, which already account for up to 40% of production costs for some users. As a result of the miscalculation, electricity tariffs, which were initially set to rise by 5.4% in 2026 and 6.2% in 2027, will instead spike by 8.8% over the next two financial periods to compensate for the Nersa blunder. The new tariffs, expected to take effect in the 2026/27 financial year and into…

We are heating the planet at unnatural rates by emitting excess greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This arises from burning fossil fuels to make electricity, transport people and goods, and other energy needs. Other significant emissions come from food production, waste generation, and the destruction of ecosystems, all of which store carbon in their stable states. Thankfully, these days there is a dwindling number of voices denying the existence of human caused global warming, or on the urgent need to transition to a low carbon economy and society. The big questions and debates now centre around the Who, How and When of taking decisive action. One such set of debates is happening right now, as South Africa readies itself to update its second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). The obligation to…

Barloworld said Tuesday that an investigation had not uncovered any US sanctions violations in its operations, but there were “apparent violations of US export controls, which the company takes seriously and is addressing.” The international heavy equipment and vehicles group stated that the US Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), had granted it a further extension, from June 2, 2025, to September 2, 2025, to complete its investigation into apparent US export control violations. The company had submitted an initial notification of Voluntary Self-Disclosure (VSD) to the BIS on September 13, 2024. Unlike many other South African multi-nationals that sold their operations in Russia due to Western sanctions on that country, Barloworld still retains a subsidiary there, specifically Vostochnaya Technica (VT), which distributes Caterpillar equipment and related…

Following a meeting between Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia and National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, it was agreed that the 121 dockets linked to the political killings task team would be submitted to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The meeting took place on Monday after Masemola announced the dockets would be returned to the KZN detectives, a decision that drew criticism and sparked concerns at the highest level of government including from President Cyril Ramaphosa, according to reports. Cachalia’s spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, said the purpose of the meeting was to “clarify and affirm” the respective roles of Cachalia, who holds executive authority, and Masemola, who holds operational authority. According to her, their shared objective is to restore public trust in the South African Police Service (SAPS) and improve morale…

After a devastating accident, a pedestrian will receive R2.6 million in compensation from the Road Accident Fund for permanent cognitive and behavioural changes. The compensation was awarded for the past and future loss of earnings for the man who was 28-years-old at the time of the accident. He was knocked by a vehicle on September 15, 2019. At the time the man was working in Stikland, Parow in Cape Town where he held the position of a general worker since 2017, having assisted in repairing traffic lights that were out of order and required new globes. While he was not permanently employed by the company, his position was full-time, and at the time of the accident, he was serving a six-month probation period. However, his prospects of being gainfully…

English Premier League clubs shattered their transfer spending record this transfer window, with Monday’s deadline day one of the most dramatic in the league’s history. Spending topped £3bn by the time the window shut at 7pm in the UK, according to Sky Sports News, boosted in large part by Liverpool’s record £125m deadline-day fee for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak. In fact, it was a transfer window when some of Europe’s top marksmen grabbed a lot of the attention as Premier League clubs flexed their considerable financial muscle. Others, however, will breathe a heavy sigh of relief that the madness is over, with the horse trading leaving a number of clubs decimated and worse off than they were last season. Biggest winners: Liverpool The defending champions were quick out of the…