Table of contents for 2025-10-24 in Cape Times

Crude prices spiked more than 2 percent Thursday after US President Donald Trump said he would impose heavy sanctions on two Russian oil companies. Both main oil contracts jumped more than 3 percent - having climbed more than 2 percent Wednesday - on news of the measures after Trump said Ukraine peace efforts with Russian President Vladimir Putin "don't go anywhere". The move was joined by another round of punishments by the European Union as part of attempts to pressure Moscow to end its three-and-a-half-year invasion of Ukraine. Trump decided on the sanctions after plans for a fresh summit with Putin in Budapest collapsed this week. "Every time I speak with Vladimir, I have good conversations, and then they don't go anywhere," the US president said in response to a…

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has said that Transnet is fully geared up for the upcoming retail season following the arrival of four new ship-to-shore (STS) cranes at the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) — a R967 million investment expected to significantly enhance cargo-handling efficiency, capacity, and competitiveness. Speaking at an event to officially receive two of the cranes, Creecy said the equipment marks a key milestone in Transnet’s 18-month Recovery Plan and Reinvent for Growth Strategy, which are beginning to yield measurable results across the utility’s operations. "This is affirmed by the recently concluded citrus season, where Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) recorded an impressive 19% year-on-year increase in volumes handled across its terminals, with the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2 recording a notable 28.8% increase," Creecy said on Thursday. "Volumes…

JSE-listed 4Sight Holdings delivered a robust interim performance on the sustained adoption of artificial intelligence. For the first six months of the 2026 financial year ending August 31, 2025 revenue increased by 6.8% to R578.7 million. Operating profit increased 35.7 % to R48.3m. Gross profit increased by 15.3% from R220.4m, and gross profit margin increased to 43.9% in August 2025 compared to 40.7% in August 2024. This financial performance delivered an increase in basic earnings per share of 30.3% to 6.754c from 5.184c, and increased headline earnings per share by 30.2% to 6.753c from 5.185c. Tertius Zitzke, Group CEO of 4Sight Holdings, said on Thursday, “The increase is largely due to the sales mix, whereby professional services increased by 10.4% for the comparative period.” He said AIoT – the…

Young South Africans are feeling the financial squeeze more sharply than generations before them. With youth unemployment at 62.4% among those aged 18 to 24, saving often feels like a distant goal rather than an achievable habit for the current generation. In fact, the latest Standard Bank Youth Barometer confirms that young earners are under extraordinary strain, with most reporting that their salaries barely cover essential living costs. Many are also forced to prioritise immediate survival over long-term planning, while others feel paralysed by the shame and uncertainty that come with not knowing where or how to start. This emotional barrier is often underestimated. There’s a deep sense of money shame that stops young people from taking even small financial steps. They feel as though they are behind before they’ve…

Afrimat, the mid-tier industrial minerals mining group, increased headline earnings substantially by 92.3% to 101.9 cents in the six months to August 31 after measures to fix its cement business gained traction and it sold much greater iron ore volumes. “The group made several key improvements, and the results are becoming tangible,” said the CEO, Andre van Heerden. The cement business saw a big increase in sales but did not yet make a profit due to kiln reliability factors, while phosphate sales also did not translate into profits because the business was still being built up, said the CFO, Pieter de Wit, in an interview. Group revenue increased by 29.9% to R 5.3 billion. The interim dividend was doubled to 20 cents a share. Operating profit was up 29.8% to…

Gauteng Premier and ANC chairperson in Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi has poured cold water on the DA's impending motion of no confidence against him, with his office describing the move as another stunt to play to the public gallery. The DA’s announcement came after Lesufi confirmed that the Crime Prevention Wardens programme widely known as AmaPanyaza will be disbanded in a phased approach over the next 36 months, with wardens undergoing retraining to become fully-fledged Traffic Officers. The DA attributes this decision to his "failed and costly” AmaPanyaza programme. The party claims to have the necessary numbers to successfully oust Lesufi. KwaZulu-Natal provincial police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, recently told Parliament's ad-hoc committee probing allegations of political interference in the police, that the AmaPanyaza programme was unlawful. The Public…

A 16-year-old is among the seven suspects that have been arrested in connection with the murder of seven men in Philippi nearly a week ago. In what police described as a decisive blow to violent crime, detectives attached to the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit, with the support of Crime Intelligence, arrested the suspects aged between 16 and 22 on Wednesday night and early on Thursday morning in Philippi East. Police spokesperson Andre Traut said the arrests mark a significant breakthrough in the ongoing effort by police to stamp out violent and organised crime across the province. He said the suspects were traced and arrested during a series of well-coordinated operations that followed days of intensive investigation and intelligence-driven efforts. Police provincial commissioner Thembisile Patekile hailed the swift and…

Nine Dolls Rupa Mahadevan Multi-cast narration Audible Studios RUPA Mahadevan’s audiobook Nine Dolls takes listeners on a suspenseful journey through the complexities of trust, betrayal, and tradition. Released late last month by Audible Studios, this multi-cast narration seamlessly blends elements of Indian culture with the tension of a murder mystery, offering an immersive experience for those ready to dive into a world of dark secrets and intricate relationships. The story centers around a ten-day holiday retreat at a remote Scottish manor, where a newly married woman is eager to meet her husband’s old friends. However, from the moment she arrives, it’s clear that something isn’t quite right. What begins as a celebratory gathering quickly turns into a tense, unsettling affair when one of the attendees is brutally murdered. At the…

On a mission to improve heart health in the country, she says that by tweaking certain ingredients, you can ensure your dish is wholesome. The steps to do that are contained in her newly released book, Inkonjane: A Nutrition Guide to Heart Health. Mapholi says that high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and stroke are among the top co-morbidities in South Africa, and research shows that at some point, the majority of South Africans will end up with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Apart from the cases she encountered in her practice, the issue is personal. “My dad had high blood pressure almost all my life, and then at some point in 2001, complications related to that claimed his life. In 2016 I lost my grandmother as…

Fuels-from-coal giant first quarter update boosted by strategic announcements to core businesses Sasol became the biggest mover on the JSE Thursday after a first quarter update showed it was making good progress on delivering its Capital Markets Day plans to strengthen the foundation business amid global macroeconomic instability, global tariff and geopolitical tensions. The share price was trading 11.99% higher at R107.37 in the morning, a price that has risen sharply since as low as R53.01 in April 2025, before the fuels-from-coal and chemicals group announced strategies to revive its core businesses. “Performance across all our business segments remains within market guidance, and we are making good progress towards delivering on our 2026 financial year financial targets,” Sasol’s directors said in the update. In the Southern African business, the ramp-up…

South Africa just earned a record number of International Emmy® nominations — placing us third globally, behind only the United Kingdom and Brazil. It is a moment of celebration, but it should also be a moment of reflection. Because while we’re rightly proud of the recognition, we are overlooking the R50 billion opportunity hiding in plain sight. The Emmys are not simply a mark of artistic prestige. They are proof of what many of us have argued for years: the world doesn’t only want our minerals — it wants our stories, our culture, and our creativity. The demand is global, the appetite is real, and yet our policy frameworks and investment priorities still treat the creative industries as a side show rather than a growth sector. Look at the evidence.…

South African investors are increasingly recognising that traditional investment approaches alone may no longer deliver the returns and stability needed in today's complex markets. This shift has driven significant growth in structured products and alternative investments, with wealthy individuals leading the charge towards more diversified portfolio strategies. Recent data reveals that South Africans have invested R17.5 billion into structured products in 2024, marking a return to levels last seen in the 1990s. This surge reflects a broader trend towards portfolio sophistication, as investors seek security and certainty while maintaining growth potential. The investment landscape has transformed dramatically over the past decade. There's been this myth that alternatives are only reserved for larger portfolios and pension funds. But we're seeing a fundamental shift where investors understand that a truly resilient portfolio…

Raubex, the JSE-listed infrastructure development group, warned Thursday its headline earnings per share (HEPS) will be between 10% - 20% lower for the six months to August 31 compared with the same period last year. While this will translate in HEPS of between 227.4 cents and 255.9 cents, a decline in performance, the group’s management say they remain focused on long-term value creation, underpinned by a resilient business model and a clear strategic direction. “Despite the challenges during the first six months, the group remains confident about the outlook for the remainder of the financial year and the years ahead,” Raubex's directors said. The group also held a record order book. “We continue to see significant opportunities to further grow the order book, supported by positive developments in the South…

ONLY President Cyril Ramaphosa- as the person responsible for the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC)- which birthed the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), had the power to disband the elite unit. That is according to former police minister Bheki Cele when contradicted suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on matters related to the formation and disestablishment of the PKTT. “In my view, the PKTT was established by the IMC under the leadership of the president; therefore, only the president could disestablish it,” he told the parliamentary inquiry probing allegations made by KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mchunu issued his directives to National Commissioner Fannie Masemola, ordering the disbandment of the PKTT and freezing of vacancies within the Crime Intelligence, which sparked Mkhwanazi’s briefing on July 6. Mchunu previously told the inquiry that no…

An investigation into an incident aboard a South African Airways Airbus 330-300 has revealed how a co-pilot ignored guidelines. In October last year, four cabin crew members were injured when the plane flew into turbulence mid-air during a flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg. According to reports, one crew member was seriously injured after being flung against the ceiling. A report by the South African Civil Aviation Authority has shown that the Airbus began shaking while cruising at 41 000 feet. The co-pilot, according to the report, then tried to manually stabilise an overspeed instead of leaving the autopilot engaged. This caused the aircraft to oscillate in pitch. The co-pilot told the inquiry that she was concerned that if the speed brakes were used, it would worsen the situation. However,…

Hugo Ekitike scored against his old club as Liverpool got back on track with a 5-1 victory at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday, while Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich were among the night's other winners. The Anfield side came into their trip to Germany reeling after a run of four consecutive defeats, which included a 1-0 loss to Galatasaray in their last Champions League outing. They bounced back in style by coming from behind to hammer Eintracht, who suffered a second straight 5-1 defeat in Europe — having started their Champions League campaign with a 5-1 win. Rasmus Kristensen gave the hosts the lead, but Ekitike broke away to equalise against the team he left in July in a £79 million deal. Virgil van Dijk headed…

South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the G20 Roadmap for faster, cheaper, more transparent, and more inclusive cross-border payments by 2027, as part of its G20 Presidency Finance Track priorities. Speaking at the opening of the second day of the G20 Conference on Cross-Border Payments on Thursday, South African Reserve Bank Governor, Lesetja Kganyago, highlighted the collective responsibility to modernise and integrate regional payment systems. “Cross-border payments are the lifeblood of international trade, investment, capital and remittance flows and economic integration. Despite their critical role, cross-border transactions remain far too costly, slow and opaque, especially in emerging markets and developing economies," Kganyago said. "As part of South Africa’s G20 Presidency, we have placed cross-border payments high on the Finance Track agenda. Our goal is to enrich the global…

For years, I’ve maintained that tax disputes do not sit comfortably within the accounting profession. The latest wave of Sars (South African Revenue Services) enforcement proves exactly why. Tax has become more legal than numerical. The days when an accountant could file an objection by simply completing a form and attaching a few schedules are over. Sars has become procedurally aggressive - and unapologetically so. Every technicality is now an opportunity to reject, delay, or disallow. If you miss a step, you lose. And that loss isn’t academic; it’s financial. South Africa’s fiscal position has tightened dramatically. Treasury’s debt service costs are ballooning, growth is stagnant, and the political space for tax increases is gone. Sars is under immense pressure to deliver more with less, so it’s focusing on procedural…

Diversified mining and metals company South32 has announced that its chair, Karen Wood AM, will retire from the Board in February 2026, marking the end of an eight-year tenure that has overseen significant portfolio transformation and progress on sustainability. Following a formal succession process, the board has elected Stephen Pearce to succeed Wood as chair, effective February 2026. Pearce joined the board as an independent non-executive director in February 2025 and brings over three decades of financial and commercial experience in the global resources sector. Wood joined the South32 board in November 2017 and was elected chair in 2019. During her tenure, she served on the remuneration, sustainability, and nomination and governance committees, providing what the company described as “exceptional leadership and strategic oversight” through South32’s shift towards commodities critical…

Clicks Group faces a busy 2026 financial year as it plans to open 40 – 50 stores, and 40 – 50 pharmacies, as well as 10 - 15 Unicare specialised pharmacies over a longer period. The health and beauty retailer's results for the year to August 31, 2025, showed Thursday that in the past year, its store base expanded to over 990, following the opening of a net 55 stores, and the national pharmacy network was expanded to 780 with the opening of a net 60 pharmacies. “The group once again demonstrated the resilience of its core product offering in a weak trading environment, delivering growth across its strategic pillars of value, convenience, differentiation and personalisation,” CEO Bertina Engelbrecht said. In the new financial year, Clicks’ management aims to leverage…

A detective with the SAPS Gauteng Organised Crime unit has accused Acting Judge President of the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, Aubrey Phago Ledwaba of being biased while granting bail to controversial businessman and murder-accused Katiso ‘KT’ Molefe. In her testimony before the Madlanga Commission yesterday, Witness B said she was of the view that Judge Ledwaba’s decision to grant Molefe bail was premeditated. The judge has since denied the allegations and is currently seeking legal advice. Molefe is charged with murder of Armand Swart, a Vereeniging engineer shot dead on April 17, 2024. Charged along Molefe are three alleged hitmen, Warrant Officer Michael Pule Tau, Musa Kekana, and Tiego Floyd Mabusela. The detective, whose identity is being protected, is investigating the murder case. “In June 2025, the matter…

WHILE the sound of gunfire and bombs fades by the day in Gaza, a health crisis awaits the area reeling from two years of Israeli genocide. With the healthcare infrastructure being near total collapse, medical evacuations are the only chance of survival for more than 15,600 people who can’t get the medical care they need in Gaza.Thousands of patients are still trapped without access to life-saving care. This dire situation has triggered the global medical humanitarian organisation, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) to intensify its calls for medical evacuations. Medical evacuations resumed on October 22, following a nearly one-month suspension since September 29. MSF said it was concerned that while many governments had both the capacity and medical expertise to accept patients, too few have opened their borders…

Convicted of 21 crimes, Siphenkosi Gwazekhaya, 27, will serve life behind bars for traumatising the community of Philippi through his criminal actions. Judge Nonthuthezlo Ralarala handed down sentence in the Western Cape High Court yesterday saying Gwazekhaya's crime spree had deeply affected those who he targeted. Gwazekhaya faced multiple charges including murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of firearms and ammunition and various contraventions of the Firearms Control Act. Reflecting on victim impact statements heard in closing arguments, Judge Ralarala said the actions of Gwazekhaya, also known as Bhoyoyo, resulted in victims living in fear in their community and they were violated in their homes through his brazen criminal acts. The court heard that the lives of families who were victims of housebreaking and robbery with aggravating…

Talking openly about depression still seen as weakness IN COMMEMORATING Mental Health Month, ours should be a dual-focus reflection on the silent workplace crisis and the challenge of mental health. The old foe remains: stigma. Globally, one in every eight people lives with a mental health condition. In South Africa, about a quarter of employees will experience a mental health disorder during their working lives. Yet only a small fraction,15% to 25% will seek help. When employees in South Africa’s public service experience a mental breakdown, the journey back to work is often far harder than the illness itself. New research from the University of Fort Hare reveals that while mental health awareness has grown, many workers still face stigma, self-doubt, and a lack of workplace support when they return.…

This is really something. The Proteas, holders of the World Test Championship mace, are showing they are worthy champions. For all the talk of an easy route to Lord’s earlier this year, Shukri Conrad’s side have proved they can win anywhere. In beating — nay, dismantling — the hosts yesterday in Rawalpindi, the Proteas achieved their first win in Pakistan in 18 years. It was particularly special for someone like Kagiso Rabada, who made his debut in Mohali a decade ago but had yet to taste victory on the subcontinent outside of Bangladesh until yesterday. It was even sweeter due to Rabada’s sizeable contribution, with the fast bowler striking a match-winning 71 — the highest score by a Proteas No 11 — in a 98-run last-wicket stand with Senuran Muthusamy…