Tabla de contenidos para 2025-12-18 en Star

Although all eyes are now on a ruling in which the US Supreme Court heard arguments over whether to overturn US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, SMEs have already felt severe pain. US media indicate that judges are now debating their decision, having wrapped up arguments last Monday. This will likely be scant relief for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa, given that they lost two-thirds of Black Friday demand as US tariffs hit hard, a new report shows. Over the past few weeks, several major companies – including Costco, Revlon, Bumble Bee Foods, and the producer of Ray-Ban – have joined small businesses in petitioning the US Court of International Trade to secure refunds if the Supreme Court overturns Trump’s tariffs. However, website Politico reported that companies…

JSE-listed miner fails to secure a new power supply deal with the country’s electricity provider Eskom could yet step in to save South32’s Mozal Aluminium smelter in Mozambique from being mothballed, after the JSE-listed miner failed to secure a new power supply agreement with the country’s electricity provider. South32, which also has manganese and aluminium assets in South Africa, controls 63.7% of Mozal Aluminium. The Mozambican operation is of significant interest for South Africa as the Industrial Development Corporation controls 32.4% of the entity while Maputo holds the remaining 3.9%. On Wednesday, South32 said that although it had continued to engage with the Mozambican government, power supplier Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB) and Eskom to seek sufficient and affordable electricity supply for Mozal beyond March 2026, it had not managed…

As we head into 2026 there is a lot of concern about equity market valuations. Comparisons are being drawn with the dotcom bubble of 1999-2000 due to significant investments being made by the hyperscalers into data centres and cloud infrastructure. At the same time many AI start-ups are loss making, with their valuations being boosted by vendor financing. Against this backdrop we’ve heard talk about canaries in coal mines, cockroaches (where one emerges there are usually many) and staying at the party for one last dance. But let’s leave analogies to one side and focus on our options. Firstly, equity valuations are expensive. They have been more expensive in the past and are not at extremes yet, but you could argue for taking some risk off the table. For example,…

Jubilee Metals Group has forecast copper unit production for its full 2026 financial year to be within 4 500 tons to 5 100 tons, depending on the extent of the rainy season, which is more than double the 2 211t produced in the 2025 year. The group that is focused on mining copper in Zambia, and is in the process of disposing of its chrome and platinum interests in South Africa, said Wednesday that earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation fell 7.1% to $27.7 million in the year to June 30, 2025, during a period of significant change as the group transitioned to focus on its copper interests. "The financial year to end-June was one of momentous change. Very soon, the company will become a pure play copper producer,…

As a 30-something year-old born and raised in Johannesburg, I grew up listening to DJ Warras (real name Warrick Stock) on the radio. Having followed his career over the decades, I am deeply saddened by his death and will always remember his engaging and warm personality. The 40-year-old radio personality and television host was murdered outside the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg on Tuesday. It is believed that after parking his vehicle at the centre in the Johannesburg inner city, he was approached by three unknown suspects, who opened fire before fleeing the scene on foot. This tragic and horrifying crime was committed against one of the nation’s most beloved stars, a man who spread joy throughout his nearly two-decade-long career. As a teenager, I have fond memories of tuning into…

DJ Warras cherished Johannesburg. He imagined a city where families could live and raise their children. He hoped that the city would change for the betterment of its citizens and the nation. But on Tuesday, December 16, the ambitious plan was stopped. The media personality’s mission of “taking back” Johannesburg’s central business district and reclaiming buildings that had been taken over has been cut short by his brutal murder. In a recent interview, Warras openly discussed the difficult task of repairing the city’s dilapidated properties. “We have buildings in the CBD wasting away because people aren’t paying rent,” he said. “If we try to fix them, we’re told we can’t remove anyone unless we provide alternative accommodation. Ten lawyers will be on your back within an hour. But someone has…

Traffic authorities arrested 1 478 motorists for drunk driving in recent nationwide operations, as the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and AWARE.org launched a zero-tolerance campaign ahead of South Africa’s busiest travel period. The arrests were among 2 719 made during the period between December 1- 13 which represents an 8.7% increase compared with the same period last year. The highest number of arrests for drunk driving were recorded in the Northern Cape, North West and Eastern Cape. KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Limpopo, the Western Cape, Free State and Mpumalanga followed. The figures come as authorities warn that the festive season remains the deadliest period on South Africa’s roads. During the 2024/25 festive season, nearly 10 000 motorists were arrested for drunk driving, while 1 589 people died in 1 286 fatal…

Gauteng authorities have intensified their crackdown on unsafe public transport, discontinuing more than 60 unroadworthy minibuses during high-impact stop-and-search operations across key routes in the province. Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport spokesperson Lesiba Mpya said the operations form part of a coordinated strategy to curb lawlessness, combat criminal activity, and improve compliance with traffic legislation, particularly within the public transport sector. He said the intensified enforcement drive was conducted between December 8 and 14 across the cities of Johannesburg and Tshwane, focusing on major public transport corridors during the long-week operational cycle. “Key enforcement outcomes included the discontinuation of 64 unroadworthy minibuses, the issuing of 89 discontinuation notices for non-compliance with road safety regulations, and the issuing of more than 800 manual infringement notices,” Mpya said. “A further 1…

Ismail Ayob, the renowned South African lawyer who played a pivotal role in representing Nelson Mandela and numerous anti-apartheid activists, has died at the age of 83 in Johannesburg. Throughout his distinguished legal career spanning over five decades, Ayob became known as one of the most significant attorneys during South Africa’s Struggle against apartheid, serving as the personal legal counsel to both Nelson Mandela during his imprisonment and to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela for many years. Ayob represented Mandela during his imprisonment in the 1970s and in various matters after his release. During Mandela’s incarceration, Ayob was the only lawyer allowed to visit him at Robben Island and served as his personal lawyer for many years, also representing Madikizela-Mandela. Ayob represented several political prisoners and was also most notably part of the…

Some Tshwane residents are still without water days after Rand Water maintenance caused widespread outages, with some areas experiencing severe water shortages. Despite the water utility’s infrastructure maintenance being concluded, residents in Soshanguve Block UU, Block L, Block VV, and WW are still struggling to access water. The affected areas, which rely on the Soshanguve Block L reservoir, have been left stranded, with residents forced to wait in queues to fill up empty buckets with water from municipal water tankers. Previously, Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise explained that historically, the city had problems with the Block L reservoir, which is located in the high-lying areas. Residents are furious, alleging that the municipality is prioritising tankers over taps, allowing officials to profit from the crisis. “I believe the problem is deliberately caused…

The Ethics Committee has issued a stern warning to Members of Parliament regarding their obligations under the Code of Ethical Conduct. The warning came following the adoption of five committee reports by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) yesterday, exposing a disturbing trend of misconduct among some parliamentarians. Co-chairperson Joseph Britz emphasised that the integrity of Parliament requires members to uphold the highest ethical standards, warning that persistent disregard for the code will lead to harsher penalties. “The committee has resolved to initiate a comprehensive review of the Code of Ethical Conduct and members’ interests. This review will focus on strengthening enforcement mechanisms, adopting provisions relating to visual conduct, and enhancing deterrence for repeated violations,” Britz said. He stated that the details of the public participation process are set to…

Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has admitted that rising electricity prices are putting a significant strain on households and businesses across South Africa. During a parliamentary session, he responded to a question from African National Congress (ANC) MP Fasiha Hassan, who asked what steps the government is taking to reduce electricity costs and address energy poverty. Hassan also requested information on the specific actions and policies being developed to protect vulnerable households in light of recent tariff increases. Ramokgopa said the government is taking a range of measures to address rising electricity costs and energy poverty. “The Department of Electricity and Energy acknowledges that the rising cost of electricity presents a serious challenge to households, businesses, and the broader economy,” he said. “The Department remains committed to ensuring…

Bafana Bafana appear to have covered most of their bases as they head into the Africa Cup of Nations, which gets underway this Sunday in Morocco, with optimism steadily building around Hugo Broos’ side. Fresh off a 1–0 friendly victory over a second-string Ghana outfit, South Africa arrive at the tournament in encouraging form and with growing belief. While the friendly served mainly as a tune-up, it underlined the sense that Broos and his squad are well prepared, both tactically and mentally, for the challenge that lies ahead. After finishing third at the previous Afcon, Bafana now carry a reputation as one of the continent’s more settled and competitive sides. There is also renewed talk of emulating the class of 1996 and possibly even going a step further. With a…

Enzo Maresca said he appreciated the backing of Chelsea’s fans after they sang his name during Tuesday’s 3-1 win at Cardiff in the League Cup quarter-finals. Chelsea moved into the semi-finals thanks to Alejandro Garnacho’s double and a Pedro Neto strike, after David Turnbull had equalised for League One leaders Cardiff. The Blues did not have it all their own way in a hard-fought clash, but reaching a third semi-final in 18 months provided further evidence of Maresca’s impact since he arrived from Leicester in 2024. It was a well-timed victory after Maresca admitted following Saturday’s 2-0 win over Everton that the previous 48 hours had been his worst at Stamford Bridge because he and his team lacked “support” from “many people”. The Italian’s comments had fuelled speculation he was…

Tongaat Hulett's business rescue practitioners won’t be able to avoid paying sugar levies after the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that these payments are a legal requirement. The sugar producer and its property arm voluntarily entered business rescue at the end of 2022, after the board found the companies in financial distress due to a working capital shortfall of around R1.5 billion. Since then, the implementation of the rescue plan has faced several challenges, including missed funding deadlines. Each month, the business rescue practitioners repeat that they believe the company can still be rescued. They say they continue to advance the Amended Business Rescue Plan, which was approved by the required majority of creditors at the end of January 2024. As part of the process, the practitioners tried to pause…

Annual consumer price inflation (CPI) eased slightly to 3.5% in November, down from 3.6% in October, reinforcing expectations that inflation is moving closer to the South African Reserve Bank’s (Sarb) new 3% target and increasing the likelihood of interest rate cuts next year. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) released the latest data on Wednesday, showing that price pressures continue to moderate, supported by lower fuel prices and a stronger rand. Nicolaas van der Wath, senior economist at the Bureau for Economic Research (BER), said the decline was encouraging. “The 0.1% month-on-month drop is also good news, and inflation is heading in the right direction towards the 3% target announced by the Sarb. We have seen petrol prices remain relatively lower, which has contributed to the drop in inflation,” he said.…

South Africa’s electricity reform programme has reached a point that few would have predicted five years ago. Market rules are being finalised, grid access frameworks have been approved, a market operator has been licensed, the Independent Transmission Programme participation shortlist has been published and new generation continues to connect at pace. From a purely technical perspective, the system is beginning to stabilise. Yet this moment of progress carries a less discussed risk. Electricity reform can succeed on paper and still fail to deliver the economic outcomes the country urgently needs. Availability alone does not guarantee growth. A system can keep the lights on while remaining too expensive, too rigid, or too poorly aligned with industrial demand to support recovery. For more than a decade, South Africa’s electricity debate was dominated…

Bhutan said Wednesday it will invest $1 billion from national cryptocurrency reserves to develop a "Mindfulness City", which it hopes will become an economic hub for the tiny Himalayan nation. Buddhist-majority Bhutan, squeezed between giants India and China, champions a policy of prioritising "Gross National Happiness" over growth. But that has not helped the government deal with widespread unemployment, forcing thousands of young people to leave the country. As part of broader efforts to reverse that trend by soliciting foreign investment, the landlocked kingdom in 2023 announced much-hyped plans for its "Gelephu Mindfulness City" (GMC), a special economic zone close to the Indian border. Carbon-negative Bhutan has also aggressively promoted hydropower projects, earning substantial revenue by exporting electricity to energy-hungry India. At the same time it has utilised the cheap…

Global food prices declined for a third consecutive month in November, driven by lower international prices for most major food commodities, according to the latest Food Price Index released by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations. FAO said the Food Price Index averaged 125.1 points in November, representing a 1.2% decline from its revised October level. The index now stands 2.1% lower than in November 2024 and is 21.9% below its peak reached in March 2022. The overall decline was led by lower prices for vegetable oils, meat, dairy and sugar, while cereals were the only major category to record an increase during the month. FAO added that the Cereal Price Index increased by 1.3 percent during the month. “Despite a generally comfortable global supply outlook…

“This project was born from a spiritual turning point in my life, a moment where I felt called not just to create music but to return to the roots of who I am,” said Nkonzo about his newly released EP Ubizo. The project marks a significant chapter in the artist’s journey, both musically and personally. Ubizo, which translates to The Calling, is rooted in spirituality, ancestry and lived experience. It introduces listeners to a body of work that is less concerned with convention and more focused on truth, memory and healing. The EP features songs designed to pull listeners into a deep, almost meditative state. Among them is Nkonzo’s debut single Akvumi, a track that introduces him as a storyteller whose voice carries emotion and intent. The song sets the…

In a heartfelt tribute to her slain husband, Leanne van der Merwe, the wife of Marius van der Merwe, remembered her husband as a loving, caring father, and family superhero to his children. Van der Merwe, the former Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) reservist, also known as Witness D at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, was gunned down on the driveway of his Brakpan home on Friday, December 5, just after 8pm. His tragic assassination came just weeks after his testimony at the Madlanga Commission, with speculation still rife on the reasons behind his alleged hit. “Where do I begin? Our story started online with you and the boys. I knew then that our lives would be fated. We have lived our best and worst times, and through good and…

The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed the arrest of seven Kenyan nationals who were found to be illegally working in South Africa while in possession of tourist visas. According to the department, the arrests followed a routine and lawful operation conducted in Johannesburg in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, targeting suspected violations of South Africa’s immigration laws. “The operation was informed by intelligence reports indicating that a number of Kenyan nationals had recently entered South Africa on tourist visas and had unlawfully taken up employment at a centre processing applications of so-called ‘refugees’ to the United States.” The department added that the individuals were working despite the fact that earlier visa applications for Kenyan nationals to legally perform this work had been lawfully declined. “During the operation, seven…

What began as concern over a foul smell, an unusual number of flies around a house, and unanswered phone calls ended in horror for residents of Kamagugu, just outside Mbombela, when police discovered the decomposing bodies of two women inside a locked house. Mpumalanga police have opened two counts of murder following the discovery of the bodies of a 20-year-old and a 64-year-old woman at about 4.30pm on Tuesday. Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Jabu Ndubane said officers in Nelspruit are searching for suspects following the incident. She added that, according to a police report, neighbours grew concerned after noticing a foul smell and an unusual number of flies around a house in their area. “Further than that, they could not get hold of their neighbours over the phone, hence they…

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, Xola Nqola, has condemned the reported conduct of the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Advocate Shamila Batohi, during her testimony at the presidential enquiry into the fitness to hold office of Advocate Andrew Chauke. This comes after Batohi caused a stir at the Nkabinde Inquiry when she refused to return to proceedings after a lunch break, saying she needed to consult legal counsel before continuing her testimony. “Reports detailing her abrupt departure and subsequent refusal to continue testimony without consultation, despite being on the witness stand, are deeply troubling. “It constitutes an unacceptable disregard for the principles of accountability and respect for due process,” Nqola said. He described the NDPP’s behaviour at the formal presidential enquiry as “nothing…

In a victory for consumer rights protection, the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that a woman who had returned the 2012 Ford Ranger she had bought for her son as the vehicle had the wrong gearbox fitted was within her rights to do so. FirstRand Bank, which financed the vehicle under a credit agreement, objected and said she had waived her right to cancel the financing agreement by first sending the vehicle for repairs. It argued that the Consumer Protection Act did not apply to the transaction. The High Court earlier agreed with the bank and ruled against purchaser Aletta van Niekerk. She subsequently turned to the SCA, which in turn ruled that Van Niekerk did not waive her common law rights. It found that her reliance on the legal…

Representatives for Velocity Venture (Pty) Ltd have rejected allegations linking the company and its chief executive, Nishant Jain, to human trafficking or labour exploitation, saying the matter has been fundamentally misconstrued and that their clients are victims of a deliberate smear campaign intended to damage their good names and reputation. In a detailed letter sent to The Star on Sunday, the company’s legal team described recent reports as inaccurate and inflammatory, arguing that key facts were falsely reported. They claim Velocity Venture has been wrongly conflated with an unrelated entity, Velocity Capital Management, and that Jain does not hold the position as ascribed to him. According to the attorneys, police attended to premises associated with Velocity Venture earlier this month, but the visit did not result in any arrests, nor…

Fifa World Cup organisers unveiled a new cut-price ticket category on Tuesday after a backlash by fans over-pricing for the 2026 tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico. Football's global governing body Fifa said in a statement that it had created a limited number of "supporter entry tier" tickets fixed at $60 (about R1 000) for all 104 matches, including the final. It said the plan was "designed to further support travelling fans following their national teams across the tournament". Fifa said that the $60 tickets would be reserved for fans of qualified teams and would make up 10% of each national federation's allotment. Fan group Football Supporters Europe (FSE), which last week called prices “extortionate" and "astronomical", responded by saying Fifa was offering too little. "While we welcome Fifa's…

Tsebo Solutions Group has acquired Flick Pest Control for an undisclosed sum as part of its strategy to build a fully integrated, compliance-driven national service platform. The acquisition strengthens Tsebo’s Cleaning, Hygiene and Pest Control division and significantly expands its capacity to deliver pest management solutions across both commercial and domestic markets. It comes at a time when organisations face increasing regulatory and public scrutiny around hygiene standards, food safety and environmental compliance. As part of the transaction, the workplace management provider has acquired Flick’s established brand portfolio, including Pestmaster KwaZulu-Natal, Fumigation and Marine Services (FMS), and Contractokil Environmental Services in the Western Cape. Flick’s expertise spans a wide range of pest risks, including rodents, termites, cockroaches, flies, bed bugs and birds. The addition of FMS’s fumigation capabilities further strengthens…

US President Donald Trump has issued a sweeping new proclamation expanding and tightening restrictions on the entry of foreign nationals from dozens of countries, arguing that persistent failures in screening, vetting and information-sharing pose unacceptable risks to national security and public safety. The proclamation, signed on Tuesday and set to take effect on January 1, 2026, builds on earlier measures taken during Trump’s first term and reinstated early in his second administration through Executive Order 14161 and Proclamation 10949. Trump said the updated restrictions follow extensive interagency reviews and continued engagement with foreign governments that, in many cases, failed to address long-standing deficiencies. “It is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from terrorist attacks and other national security and public safety threats,” Trump said, adding that…

More South Africans are moving between jobs, unemployment, and economic inactivity than they did five years ago, according to Statistics South Africa, pointing to a labour market that is becoming less settled. Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey shows that 91.8% of people who were employed in the third quarter of 2024 were still employed in the fourth quarter. In 2019, the figure was 94.0%. While the decline is small, it shows that fewer people are staying in the same job status from one quarter to the next. A similar pattern is seen among people who were not economically active. In 2024, just under nine out of ten people who were not working and not looking for work remained in that position three months later, down slightly from 2019.…

Anglo American and Teck Resources have detailed commitments they made to the Canadian government, including plans to spend about R121.7 billion over 15 years, as part of their receiving approval from that government for their merger under the Investment Canada Act. The merger, announced first on September 9, is expected to provide "exceptional and enduring benefits for Canada, founded upon establishing a global critical minerals champion headquartered in Canada," a statement from the group said Wednesday. Anglo America's share price gained 2% on the JSE Wednesday around midday to R851.71, which with a 53.6% gain in the price over 12 months, is evidence of investor support for the deal. Anglo American and Teck committed to spend at least C$4.5bn (about R54.8bn) in Canada in 5 years, including for the Highland…

As a millennial who grew up loving the blockbusters of the late 1990s and 2000s, I was delighted to learn about the star-studded cast of Oh. What. Fun. From Michelle Pfeiffer in the lead of the new Amazon Prime Christmas movie to Eva Longoria, Chloë Grace Moretz and Denis Leary making appearances, this nostalgic line-up had me genuinely excited. But not even this illustrious talent – which also includes a few newer faces – could save the film from mediocrity. Sure, it offers some humorous and charming moments, and it’s packed with relatable themes, but the production ultimately fails to leave a lasting impression. Pfeiffer (who is truly ageing like fine wine) is its biggest redeeming quality because, overall, we are exhausted by the predictable Christmas-movie formula and the reliance…

Is there anything that Kim Kardashian cannot do at this point? Well, except for dancing, the answer is certainly no. The reality TV star has become the latest celebrity in Hollywood to have a collaboration with Fortnite, a video game, and to top the fun, she also added a few references from her iconic moments on reality TV. This collaboration was launched recently, and includes avatars that can be customised by players with a variety of gear. This includes two outfits, two emotes (or dance moves), two back blings (accessories resembling backpacks), two pickaxes – one of which is designed as a make-up brush and a single glider. Surely, if you watch The Kardashians, you know the scene where the media personality cried her eyes out in the ocean after…

The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) has been asked by the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) to probe the National Prosecuting Authority head Shamila Batohi’s alleged role in the killing of then 16-year-old Kwazi Ndlovu during a police operation in KwaZulu-Natal in 2010. Yesterday, MKP MP Des van Rooyen, accompanied by party members, filed a complaint against Batohi at the IDAC office in Pretoria. Van Rooyen said: “What is at the centre of our affidavit that we have submitted at IDAC is a conduct of a certain police officer by the name of (Gonasagren) Padayachee and of course the conduct of Shamila Batohi, as well as a prosecutor who was charged with the responsibility of looking over the matter of a young boy who was killed under the pretext of self-defence…

The charred bodies of two people were recovered from an apartment in Alberton on the East Rand after a fire broke out in the early hours of yesterday morning. A note found on the kitchen table suggested a possible case of death by suicide. The City of Ekurhuleni Emergency Management Services (CoE EMS) confirmed the fatal fire at the Jackson Cove units in Elans Rock – San Cres, Alberton. Authorities suspect the incident may have been a double suicide. EMS spokesperson Tikkie MacDonald said emergency services received a call reporting a structural fire at approximately 01:30am. “Firefighting crews from the Alberton Fire Station were immediately dispatched to the scene,” MacDonald said. Upon arrival, firefighters found two units involved in the blaze: the bottom flat and the one directly above it.…

A 28-year-old Limpopo man was scheduled to appear before the Watervaal Magistrate’s Court yesterday after he was arrested for allegedly raping his mother in the Watervaal policing area. According to police in Limpopo, the incident took place on Saturday evening, 13 December, at Magangeni village. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the 28-year-old man arrived home at around 6.30 pm and demanded money from his mother, who told him she had none. “The suspect reportedly became aggressive towards his mother, who is on medication, and allegedly insulted, attacked and raped her,” said Ledwaba. The victim reportedly tried to resist but was overpowered. After the alleged rape, the suspect is said to have locked her inside the house before fleeing the scene. Ledwaba said the woman later managed to get…

The MEC for Education in the North West Province must pay slightly more than R2.8 million to the mother of a child who was stabbed in the eye by a fellow learner at school. The North West High Court, sitting in Mahikeng, earlier ruled that the education authorities are 100% liable for the child’s injuries as there was inadequate supervision by the teachers when the incident occurred. The matter was now back in court to determine the amount of damages to be awarded. A host of medical and other experts submitted reports to the court regarding the boy’s injuries and his prognosis. The court was informed that the child, who was injured while attending Seraleng Primary School, was a smart boy who consistently achieved high academic marks. His injury, however,…

Organised crime continues to surge and deepen across the African continent while state resilience to these threats is weakening. This is according to the 2025 Africa Organised Crime Index, which stated that many countries on the continent tend to favour institutional responses, such as using non-state actors, when it comes to building resilience. The non-state actors play a vital role in growing resilience by supporting vulnerable communities and holding authorities to account. They are often at the forefront of leading social protection efforts. However, since the 2021 index, the “non-state actors” resilience indicator has declined the most. The index, published by the European Union-funded Enact programme – run by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Interpol and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime, found that the most pervasive…

While it was all fun and games watching the Proteas Women put together their highest ODI total at St George’s Park in Gqeberha earlier this week, the cricket on display was mediocre, and probably their worst game this year. A quick glance at the Proteas Women scorecard during the second limited overs match against Ireland on Reconciliation Day would leave many with smiles on their faces. Proteas Women captain Laura Wolvaardt brought up her 12th One Day century, top-order batter Sune Luus brought up her second career century, while former captain Dane van Niekerk blasted 88 off just 47. These are numbers that would lead many to believe that the squad is continuing from where they left off in this year’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, where they reached the…

As 2025 draws to a close, the Premiership table reflects a season of highs, lows, and surprises. From clubs battling relegation to those chasing silverware, the year has delivered drama, standout performances, and lessons for the months ahead. Here, we take a club-by-club look at how each side performed in this year, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and what fans can expect as the league resumes in 2026. 16 Chippa United Chippa’s reputation for living on the edge has resurfaced once again, with the Chilli Boys rooted to the bottom of the table. They are one of three teams to have reached the halfway mark of the season finding themselves paying the price for ongoing instability. Vusumuzi Vilakazi is the latest man tasked with guiding them to safety, becoming the fifth…