Table of contents for 2025-08-13 in Cape Times

The Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA) has refuted all allegations of mismanagement of funds, irregular procurement, and subvertion of governance processes. This comes after weekend reports that the GPAA paid R270 million to contractors for refurbishing a building it allegedly has no legal access to, linked to a 10-year office lease agreement estimated at R1 billion. The GPAA is a government agency that administers funds for the Government Employees Pension Fund, serving 1.7 million employees and pensioners. GPAA spokesperson, Mack Lewele, on Tuesday said the allegations were the subject of an ongoing audit process. Lekwele told Business Report that due to this process, the GPAA was not in a position to make pre-emptive statements as they may jeopardise the audit outcome. “As stated previously, we reiterate that our process to…

The official unemployment rate in South Africa rose to its highest in one year as the jobless population surged by 140 000 in the three months to June, resulting in a total of 8.4 million individuals seeking work. The increase in unemployment has raised concerns, with the official unemployment rate jumping by 0.3 percentage points from 32.9% in the first quarter to 33.2% in the second quarter. This is the highest jobless rate since the second quarter of 2024. According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) results for the second quarter of 2025, the labour market showed a modest increase in employment numbers but this was coupled with a worrying rise in the unemployment rate. Statistics South Africa said there was an increase of 19 000 employed persons, bringing…

South Africa’s productive sectors are poised to make a significant impact on the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the second quarter of 2025, as new data reveals a positive uptick in both mining and manufacturing output. Data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Tuesday showed that mining production rose by 2.4% in June compared to the same month a year ago, up from an upwardly revised 0.3% increase in May. This June mining report marked the second consecutive month of growth, exceeding market estimates of 1.4% growth. Stats SA’s principal service statistician, Jean-Pierre Terblanche, said platinum group metals (PGM), coal and chromium ore were the main drivers of growth, as they rose 3.0%, 3.7%, and 9.0%, respectively. Production of PGM picked up following disruptive rains in…

Sirius Real Estate, JSE-listed owner of industrial parks in Germany and the UK, has announced a third acquisition in a week - it will buy Hartlebury Trading Estate in the UK for £101.1 million (R2.41 billion). “The acquisition is transformational for Sirius' UK business, which operates as BizSpace, where it will increase the size of the portfolio by 18% to 8.3 million square feet, while growing the gross UK asset value by about 20% and immediately boosting revenues by 10%,” said Sirius’s CEO Andrew Coombs. This transaction follows the announcement last week of acquisitions in Dresden and Bedford and it is the ninth business park the group has bought in 2025, with a total investment value of €289.9m that has added €20m of net operating income. The Hartlebury estate currently…

When you picture water shoes, high fashion isn’t usually the first thing that springs to mind. For years, they’ve been the unsung heroes of watersports enthusiasts and parents wrangling toddlers near slippery surfaces. Function over fashion was their mantra. However, the fast-changing nature of fashion, much like the tides, has brought these utilitarian foot coverings into the style conversation. According to recent articles in fashion publications like Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue, designers have been subtly incorporating elements of practicality and comfort into their footwear collections. Think chunky soles, breathable materials, and a move away from stilettos that threaten to sink into every patch of soft sand. In this context, the humble water shoe, with its inherent grip and protective qualities, doesn’t seem quite so… out there. Here in South Africa,…

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) and the Department of Agriculture said they were submitting a “generous” revised trade as part of the government's five-point response to the 30% unilateral tariff imposed by the US on SA imports. The Cabinet-approved revised trade offer would be submitted on Tuesday, officials confirmed. The government's revised offer is one of five measures responding to the US's unilateral tariff hikes which began last Friday. Addressing the media, Trade, Industry and Competition and Agriculture ministers Parks Tau and John Steenhuisen respectively, also said that they had assembled a high-level team comprising the presidency and the two departments to spearhead the tariff negotiations with the US. However, both ministers indicated that South Africa was seeking trade agreements beyond the US. They also…

The failure to disclose a pending criminal case when asked to do so during a job application can have dire consequences, as an applicant who applied for the position of a court manager discovered. Siphephelo Luthuli applied for two posts in the Eastern Cape as court manager. He was recommended as he was deemed the best candidate. He denied on his application form that he had a criminal record or any pending cases against him. But it was later discovered that there was a pending case relating to alleged driving under the influence of alcohol. The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) then withdrew its recommendation that Luthuli get the job. Luthuli took the matter on review before an arbitrator, who ruled in his favour and found that the OCJ…

THE 1956 Women’s March comprised 20 000 women fighting for free movement in South Africa. The protest was directed at dismantling the dompas system created by the apartheid regime to control the movement of ‘non-whites’. The regime utilised the dompas as one of its systematic mechanisms of racial oppression, segregation, and discrimination. The direct translation of dompas in English is ‘stupid pass’; however, the apartheid regime referred to it as ‘domestic pass’. This illustrates the derogatory and aggressive nature of this law towards black South Africans, as well as the lack of recognition and acknowledgement of their humanity. The dompas was imposed on people of colour, and failure to adhere to this law resulted in detention and incarceration. People of colour were banned from entering suburban white residential areas…

Platinum metals group will dispose SA mining operations, to focus on Zambian copper business Jubilee Metals Group plans to dispose of its chrome and platinum group mining operations in South Africa - it is one of the five top chrome producers worldwide - for up to $90 million (R15.8 billion), so that it can focus on its copper business in Zambia. This appears similar, albeit at a smaller scale, to the strategy being adopted by former South African mining goliath, Anglo American, which has already divested of its South African platinum and coal assets and will also soon sell its diamond assets, to focus on its new core assets: copper, premium iron ore, and crop nutrients. Jubilee Metals, which owns and operates several chrome and PGM processing plants across the…

We know how to save, stretch a budget, cover school fees, and find the best deals. But ask us about investing or long-term financial planning, and many smart, capable women still feel like we’re getting it wrong. A survey shared by financial journalist Maya Fisher-French in partnership with Satrix revealed something striking: while women are highly competent money managers, only 15% rate themselves as very knowledgeable about investing, compared to 42% of men. That’s not a knowledge gap; it’s a confidence gap. And it’s costing us. The cost of playing it safe The 10X Retirement Reality Report (2023) found that nearly half of South African women (49%) don’t have a retirement plan, compared to 43% of men. More women see themselves as “savers,” while fewer identify as “investors.” It’s a…

Recent investigative reporting by Pieter-Louis Myburgh in the Daily Maverick into alleged bribery involving the suspended CEO of the Independent Development Trust and her spokesperson underscores how deeply embedded corruption has become in South Africa. Such incidents occur with alarming frequency, and rarely with consequence. For ordinary South Africans, the constant stream of revelations about bribery, fraud, and political patronage has produced a sense of fatigue. The scale and normalisation of such conduct should no longer surprise us. During his tenure as CEO of Eskom, André de Ruyter, exposed organised criminal networks operating inside the utility. In his book Truth to Power: My Three Years Inside Eskom, he described syndicates that extended into the highest political circles. These included the so-called “coal mafia” that supplied substandard material while diverting coal…

Weaver Fintech has declared a remarkable first half, a pre-tax profit surge of 48% to R370 million, attributed to a robust revenue growth of 29% that reached R2.6 billion. This was according to the company's half year results to June 30 that were released on Tuesday, and which followed the rebranding last month from the former name, Homechoice International. CEO Sean Wibberley expressed his enthusiasm for the firm’s performance, remarking on the company’s evolving 40 year relationship with both customers and merchants. “Our results show how deeply our ecosystem resonates with customers and merchants. We had a very good first half, off the back of a strong second half of last year. We are not just scaling – we’re transforming how financial services are accessed and experienced across South Africa,”…

Taxpayers have paid R779 million over the past five years to provide private security at state-owned properties across the country. This was disclosed by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson when he was responding to parliamentary questions posed by DA MP Edwin Bath. Macpherson said the expenditure on private security contracts was R140.9m in 2020/21, R124.6m the following year, R144.8m in 2022/23, R161.7m in 2023/24, and R199.9m in 2024/25. The department has a total of 318 properties that are currently protected by private security companies. “This is a constantly changing number due to properties that get vacated by tenants and thus require security services to prevent and respond to threats of illegal occupation. This number includes occupied and unoccupied properties located in various regions.” Macpherson further said there was…

THE lawyer representing one of the three people convicted of human trafficking and kidnapping in the Joshlin Smith matter has maintained that the case was compromised from the start. During yesterday’s appeal, Advocate Nobahle Mkabayi, for Steveno “Steffie” van Rhyn told the bench her client was unlawfully detained for more than 48 hours before his first court appearance on March 7, 2024, a direct breach of his rights. “We appeared in court on 31 January 2021 bare-handed and clueless, without the contents of the docket. The State knew the attorneys, but details were never furnished before the pre-trial.” The defence received the docket only two weeks before the trial, and even then, it was incomplete. “We had to climb the mountain to fetch the contents ourselves. It is…

In a powerful celebration of Women’s Day, Survé Philanthropies, in partnership with the Soong Ching Ling Foundation, visited Phoenix High School in Manenberg, delivering a message of empowerment, hope, and opportunity to 520 female students. The initiative, rooted in the belief that education and inspiration can transform lives, aimed to equip the young women with not only essential items but also the tools to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and determination. Addressing the packed school hall, South African free-diving champion and founder of I AM WATER Foundation, Hanli Prinsloo shared her journey with the learners. She spoke candidly about the challenges she overcame and encouraged the girls to hold onto their dreams, remain focused, and believe in their ability to shape their futures. Each learner received a gift pack filled…

Standing at 2.03m and 145kg, and wearing size 19 boots (it doesn’t matter if it’s US or UK 19, does it?), Will Skelton is built like a brick outhouse. Over the years, there have been many urban legends about the big Wallaby lock. Many of them probably originated in Australian bars and were greatly exaggerated as the evening edged closer to bad-decisions-o’clock. One such tale involves Skelton going through airport security and being unable to fit through the full-body scanner. Before bringing out the metal detector, legend has it the security officer asked Skelton if he had any guns, to which he replied: “I only have these biceps and a half-eaten protein bar…” However, on a rugby field, the legend of Will Skelton is very, very real. A big, intimidating…

The South African poultry industry has voiced concerns about the government’s decision to facilitate the import of 72 000 metric tons of poultry from the United States as part of measures to boost trade and reduce the tariffs. The local poultry industry on Tuesday said it has been sacrificed to benefit the automotive sector and others focusing on profitable exports to the US. The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) told Business Report that the decision was a surprise. SAPA CEO Izaak Breitenbach said the industry had instead been hard at negotiations with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) to suspend the US imports prior to the tariff negotiations. Breitenbach said that the US, under the African Growth and Opportunity Act agreements, along with Brazil, were amongst the…

The Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber on Tuesday announced Capitec Bank and First National Bank (FNB) as the first banks that have elected to sign up to the Department’s new digital partnership model that will expand access to Smart ID and Passport services. This is from the existing 30 to hundreds more bank branches in both urban and rural areas across South Africa, as well as to digital banking applications. Schreiber said a third bank would be announced soon that joined the partnership. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) said it marks the beginning of the end for long travelling distances to reach Home Affairs services, for long queues, as well as for the Green ID book with its unacceptable vulnerability to fraud and identity theft, and the…

Since 1994, South Africa has made substantive progress in advancing the rights of women, strengthening their representation in decision-making positions and developing gender-responsive policies and legislation. However there remains critical gaps to be addressed through public policy, institutional frameworks and implementation. Last week we marked our National Women’s Day as a stark reminder that the struggle for gender equality and women’s emancipation is yet to be won. In this context, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) is expected to deliver bold, intersectional leadership. The link between climate change and gender equality is undeniable, impacting essentials such as food, shelter, and livelihoods. It’s crucial that national climate policies, such as the nationally determined contributions (NDCs), incorporate gender-responsive actions to advance gender equality in this era of…

Vodacom Group and Airtel Africa on Tuesday announced a strategic infrastructure sharing agreement in key markets including Mozambique, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo, subject to regulatory approvals in the various countries. Airtel Africa is a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services in 14 countries across sub-Saharan Africa. The agreement marks a transformative milestone in promoting digital inclusion and expanding access to reliable connectivity across Africa. The initial partnership focuses on sharing fibre networks and tower infrastructure, to accelerate the roll-out of digital services in these markets, increasing connectivity for customers while reducing operators’ infrastructure costs and improving speed to market. By leveraging existing infrastructure, the collaboration aims to deliver improved connectivity, faster internet speeds, and more reliable services. This will not only enhance customer experience but…

THE National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding model is expected to undergo an urgent overhaul, says Higher Education and Training Minister Bhuti Manamela. The Minister outlined the department's vision during a media briefing in Pretoria for the post-school education sector and emphasised that stabilising NSFAS is a top priority in the government's education reform plan. The new model is expected to be developed within the next three months. The decision to implement these changes comes after widespread concerns about governance, delivery failures, and funding gaps at NSFAS. Manamela acknowledged that “there's been fundamental challenges at NSFAS” but also highlighted that 800 000 students have currently received their allowances. To address the pressing issues, several actions are being taken. The Minister has instructed the CEO and Chairperson of NSFAS to…

THE State was dealt a blow in the notorious gang murder trial against the Terrible Josters’ alleged gang leader, Elton Lenting, and his 19 co-accused when its application to have a statement admitted as evidence was denied in the Western Cape High Court. A warning statement, which the State sought to have admitted as evidence, by a now-deceased co-accused, was deemed inadmissible by the high court this week. The statement implicates two of the co-accused. However, Judge James Lekhuleni dismissed the State’s application for the admission of the warning statement of deceased Delano Saptoe against accused 3 and 14. Lenting and his co-accused face a plethora of criminal charges, including murder, attempted murder, possession of illegal firearms and ammunition. The application was brought by the State in terms of Section…

Kaizer Chiefs are riding high after a positive start to the 2025/26 season, and they’ll be aiming to improve their record against Polokwane City when the two sides meet at FNB Stadium on Wednesday evening (7.30pm kick-off). Amakhosi have worked tirelessly in the off-season to bounce back from a disappointing 2024/25 campaign, which ended with a ninth-place finish — a season that never quite found momentum. The Soweto giants had a number of new signings brought in, and their first real test came this past weekend against a formidable Stellenbosch FC side. With head coach Nasreddine Nabi absent for that clash due to a family emergency back home in Tunisia, assistant coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef led the team to a convincing 2–0 win — their fourth straight…