Índice para 2025-10-03 em Cape Times

Sales in September 2025 climb to 54 700 units, the highest level since September 2015 South Africa’s new vehicle market recorded its strongest month in a decade, with sales in September 2025 climbing to 54 700 units, the highest level since September 2015. It was also the third consecutive month of volumes above 50 000 units and rounded out 12 months of continual growth for the new vehicle market. According to figures released by the Automotive Business Council (Naamsa) on Thursday, the September sales total marked a 24.3% increase compared with the 44 000 vehicles sold in the same month last year. The strong performance came against a backdrop of easing inflation, firm but restrictive monetary policy, and an expanding range of imported models. Encouragingly for households, consumer inflation slowed…

The South African automotive industry faces a tough operating environment but remains focused on long-term success, Jeff Gable, Head of FIC Research at Absa CIB, told delegates at Naamsa Auto Week in Gqeberha this week. Gable said shifting consumer preferences are reshaping the domestic market. “Households also continue to turn towards SUVs, and so local production of these vehicles has been strong, whilst sedan sales are under a lot of pressure,” Gable said. In the new energy segment, Gable said mild hybrids have gained traction with local buyers due to affordable price points, while full electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles remain out of reach for most consumers. On the manufacturing side, Gable warned that South African Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) face mounting challenges. “For those SA firms that face off…

Africa Bitcoin Corporation’s (ABC) net asset value (NAV) per ordinary share would increase by 108% to R13.40 by the end of the six months to August 31, compared with the same period a year before. The company, which until recently was known as Altvest Capital, saw the secondary listing of its shares and preferred C ordinary shares become effective on the Development Capital Board of the Namibia Stock Exchange (NSX) on Thursday. This listing formed a central part of the company’s multi-exchange listing strategy, aimed at broadening access to regulated Bitcoin exposure across Africa and internationally. The company is also offering up to 1 million shares at N$11 per share, in a capital raise, the proceeds of which are expected to be used to acquire Bitcoin for the company’s treasury.…

THE South African Airways (SAA) has blamed “unresolved issues” related to its audited financial statements for once again failing to submit its annual report for the 2024/25 financial year to Parliament by the legally mandated deadline of September 30. SAA has requested extensions for the past three years and did not submit in at least one year. In a letter addressed to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and National Council of Provinces chairperson Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane, acting Transport minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa explained the reasons for the delay in the submission of SAA’s annual report. “The external audit process has been impacted by complexities arising from the late compilation of the annual financial statements for financial year 2023/24. The financial year 2024/25 required additional time to ensure full compliance and…

A Cape Town-based car dealership will refund a customer R150 000 for a Toyota Fortuner that developed defects on the day it was purchased. Shortly after being returned to the consumer following repairs, the same defects persisted, the National Consumer Commission (NCC) said. The Competition Tribunal in a statement this week confirmed a settlement made between the NCC and TM Cars (PTY) Ltd, thereby making it an order of the Tribunal. “The NCC investigated the consumer’s complaint, which revealed that on May 22, 2022, the consumer purchased a 2013 3.0 D-40 Toyota Fortuner and paid R225 000 to the supplier. “On the same day, the vehicle developed certain defects and was returned to the supplier for repairs. “However, shortly after being returned to the consumer, the same defects persisted. This…

Siyavuya Khaya At first glance, My World, My Way is a beautifully illustrated children’s book. But within its gentle pages lies a powerful mission – one born from heartbreak, resilience, and an unwavering love of a mother determined to shift the narrative around autism. Friends and family of first-time author Lisa Witten gathered at Erin Hall in Rondebosch to celebrate the official launch of her book My World, My Way last week. The mother of two never imagined she’d be writing a book that would serve as a bridge between misunderstood children and the world around them. But her daughter Mila, now 8, had other plans. Diagnosed with autism at just 18 months, Mila’s early years were filled with confusing meltdowns, unanswered questions, and a deafening silence from a society…

Considering their poor run in the Premiership, Stellenbosch FC will need their most impactful players to be at the top of their game against Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday in Cape Town. This Carling Knockout Cup round of 16 clash has the potential to turn their fortunes around and redefine their season. With both teams vying for a spot in the next stage of the tournament, Stellenbosch knows that an extraordinary performance will be vital for their success. In the past, encounters against Chiefs have presented a daunting challenge, and the Mother City fans inspire them to show off their flair and tactical prowess. Stellenbosch FC needs stronger performances from Devin Titus, Andre de Jong, Ibraheem Jabaar, Sanele Barns, and Sage Stephens to reach the quarter-finals. These players could play a…

The Carling Knockout Cup returns to the Premier Soccer League calendar with its newfound reputation for giving smaller teams within the Premiership a realistic shot at silverware. This reputation is well deserved, thanks to the recent triumphs of Stellenbosch FC and Magesi FC. After winning the inaugural Carling Knockout in 2023, Stellenbosch, coached by Steve Barker, were from then on a club on the rise as they went on to register the “Beer Cup” as their first top-flight silverware – what a way to open their trophy account, after all, they are from the Winelands. They defeated TS Galaxy 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the final. This victory was a significant milestone for the Capetonians and they capitalised on this success to later qualify for their first-ever…

Africa must urgently strengthen its health financing systems and reduce reliance on increasingly unreliable external aid, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said on Thursday. Speaking at the African Union’s 8th Specialized Technical Committee on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration, Godongwana warned that the continent’s health sector faces multiple crises, including underfunding, overstretched systems, and rising debt-service obligations. "This challenge adds on the existing increase in our debt-service obligations and diminished fiscal space to make available for domestic health spending," he said. "These challenges demand that we take charge in strengthening the resilience of our health financing whilst strategically weaning ourselves off external financing that is becoming less reliable." Godongwana highlighted South Africa’s 2025 G20 Presidency as an opportunity to place Africa’s concerns at the centre of global economic reform.…

Earlier this week, Discovery CEO Adrian Gore issued a stark but vital reminder: in emerging markets like South Africa, narrative drives reality. This is not just an elegant turn of phrase. It is how markets function — and a warning that the stories we tell about our country can either attract or repel the investment, talent, and trust we so desperately need. “The flywheel has to turn, and if you get it wrong at any point, it’s problematic,” Gore cautioned the audience. When narrative spins virtuous, it creates a reinforcing cycle: positive perception invites capital inflows, tourism, innovation, and confidence. But when it spins vicious, perception deters investment, erodes trust, and makes even incremental progress invisible. Narrative as Causality South Africa’s fundamentals are not as dire as the prevailing commentary…

Financial insecurity is not only about depleted bank accounts, it chips away at psychological resilience. When people lack financial confidence, they carry an invisible burden that permeates every aspect of their well-being. Sanlam’s Age of Confidence campaign shows that most South Africans will need to work until the age of 80 to retire comfortably. That sobering projection alone creates a heavy psychological strain. Added to this, our 2025 Sanlam Benchmark report found that 44% of households have already dipped into emergency savings simply to make ends meet, a clear sign of how fragile financial and mental resilience have become. A study confirms the link; financial resilience is associated with an approximately 37% decrease in the occurrence of mental health disorders. Importantly, the study also shows that this relationship is mediated…

Nasionale Pers’ Amsterdam and JSE-listed subsidiary Prosus said Thursday that the tender offer for Just Eat Takeaway.com (JET) had completed successfully, with strong support from JET shareholders. The announcement sent Prosus’ share price up by 3.01% to R1244.69 on the JSE on Thursday morning, a price that had risen by a strong 57.9% over 12 months. In contrast, the JSE All Share Index was up 1.56% at the same time. The offer had exceeded the Acceptance Threshold of the transaction, with 90.13% of JET shares tendered, and the transaction has been declared unconditional, following its swift approval by the European Commission in August 2025. Prosus CEO Fabricio Bloisi said: “I’m very pleased with the outcome of the tender offer, and excited to welcome JET to the Prosus ecosystem. JET has…

SUSPENDED Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) commissioner Teboho Maruping has been paid R1.4 million in salaries while waiting to hear his fate for his alleged involvement in unlawfully awarding the R5 billion Thuja Capital contract. The hearing was instituted last year after he was placed on precautionary suspension in September 2023 with full pay. Maruping was suspended for his role in the conclusion of the unlawful job creation scheme contract entered into between the UIF and Thuja Holdings. The contract was declared invalid and set aside by the Pretoria High Court in May 2024 and an appeal was dismissed by the Supreme Court of Appeal in August 2024. Replying to parliamentary questions from DA MP Michael Bagraim, Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth said Maruping was still in the employ of…

The financially constrained KwaZulu-Natal Education department will soon commence with procurement of learning and teaching support materials (LTSM) after receiving a R800 million bailout from the provincial Treasury. In a joint media briefing in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday, Finance MEC Francois Rodgers announced that he has managed to source the funds for LTSM which will also assist the department in running the final examinations. Rodgers, who had announced a few days earlier that the Education department has no available funds to order textbooks, said after meeting with MEC Sipho Hlomuka, they agreed that the department would receive R800 million to start placing orders for the textbooks for next year. “On the LTSM, we are looking at R881m which is what we tried to take out of the baseline of the department.…

THE courts have the power to cancel the transfer of a property in cases where an agreement and subsequent transfer were obtained through fraudulent means, a recent judgment has confirmed. The case involved a woman who was defrauded into thinking she was signing documents to obtain a loan to build a flat at the house she had inherited from her late husband, only to discover that she signed “an agreement of purchase and sale”. The court at the time cancelled the transfer of the property into the name of the new buyer, but the latter now approached the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, to appeal the judgment issued in favour of the elderly Annette Venter. In the opening to the judgment, Judge Rochelle Francis-Subbiah, on behalf of a full bench (three…

The Chateau Avery Bishop Narrated by Christine Lakin Audible Originals FEW audiobooks grab your attention as quickly – or hold it as tightly – as The Chateau by Avery Bishop. Released in August as part of the Audible Originals collection, this seven-hour thriller wastes no time pulling listeners into a gripping story set against the backdrop of a luxurious mountain resort. With sharp pacing and an atmosphere thick with tension, it’s the kind of story that keeps you hooked from the first chapter. The plot follows newlyweds Nina and Michael Carr, who are looking forward to a peaceful minimoon at an exclusive retreat in the Catskill Mountains. But their romantic escape takes a dark turn when the body of a young woman is found near the resort’s lake. What begins…

The staggering revelation from the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) that R2 billion was siphoned out of Tembisa Hospital is not just another corruption headline. It is a post-mortem on the moral collapse of our governance system. It reveals a cancer that has metastasised fed not only by corrupt officials and politicians but by a banking sector that profits from the proceeds of crime while pretending not to see, while closing the accounts of black entrepreneurs, professionals, and organisations under the guise of reputational concerns, while they themselves being complicit in aiding criminal syndicates. Under the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA), financial institutions are legally obliged to detect and report suspicious transactions. Yet billions flowed from a public hospital to a web of front companies and into luxury assets, without raising…

It seems absurd to think now that the Proteas Women’s team travelled on economy flights, juggled full-time jobs whilst playing for the national team, and arrived at World Cups simply excited to return home with some free memorabilia. But in truth, that wasn’t too long ago, as former captain Mignon du Preez recollects in an exclusive interview with Independent Media ahead of the Proteas’ opening World Cup showdown with England in Guwahati today. “Yeah, I made my debut in 2007 for South Africa, my matric year, and I was listening to (Proteas allrounder) Marizanne Kapp speaking about her first World Cup and I remember like, we got to the World Cup, there were no photo shoots, there was no television,” said Du Preez, who played played 269 matches and scored…

Cedric Kaze knows that, like animals, football teams can be most dangerous when wounded. And so, while all Kaizer Chiefs fans anticipate a smooth passage to the next round of the Carling Knockout Cup, the Amakhosi co-coach preaches caution. “It’s unfortunate that the history of the last fixtures that Kaizer Chiefs won against Stellenbosch (FC) is not going to be of any help in this game,” Kaze said ahead of Sunday’s first-round clash against the inaugural winners of the domestic league cup. Temporarily in charge of Chiefs alongside Youssef Ben Khalil while the club continues to resolve issues with coach Nasredinne Nabi, Kaze says the team is intent on winning the Carling Knockout. But he knows just how tricky the clash with a Stellenbosch side that has seemingly forgotten how…

The Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) has raised alarm over growing cases of eFiling profile hijacking, warning that the scam poses a serious threat to taxpayer confidence in the South African Revenue Service (Sars) and the long-term credibility of the country’s digital tax system. In its long-awaited draft report on eFiling profile hijacking, released for public comment after repeated postponements at Sars’ request, the OTO said the practice exposes both systemic weaknesses and service delivery failures in how Sars assists victims. eFiling profile hijacking typically involves fraudsters using stolen personal details to access taxpayer profiles, submit false returns and claim refunds. The OTO said the scam is most common among personal income tax and VAT cases, with fraudulent claims usually under R10 000 but sometimes reaching up to R100…

Farmers in KwaZulu-Natal remain deeply concerned about the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, with many warning of escalating costs and long-term risks to the agricultural sector. The Agriculture Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) said on Thursday that farmers in the province are calling for stronger interventions, noting that the crisis affects not only beef producers but also dairy farmers who face significant cost burdens. Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz chief economist, said the issue dominated discussions during a September 29 engagement with agribusiness representatives in the province. “The general sentiment from folks in the region was that the agricultural conditions are favourable, which is a picture we painted from a national perspective in our previous letter,” Sihlobo said. “However, one aspect that got many people in the room engaged was the…

South Africans are significantly indebted, with a large portion of their monthly income going towards servicing debt. This means that for every R100 of disposable income, South Africans currently owe R62.70. We’ve observed a combination of high interest rates, rising living costs, and slow income growth driving the high levels of indebtedness. This has led to a notable increase in overdue debt payments, particularly in unsecured loans and credit cards, as the average household debt-to-disposable income ratio stands at 62.7% as of the first quarter of 2025. What your credit score influences Your credit score is a three-digit number that reflects how reliably you manage your credit obligations. Lenders use it to determine whether you qualify for credit and what interest rates you will be charged. A higher score means…

Trustco Group Holdings, the shares of which are suspended on the JSE, on Thursday received a R5 million fine and another public censure by the JSE for selling off shareholding in its mining subsidiary, Meya Mining, without shareholder approval. Meanwhile, Trustco shareholders still await the publication of the latest annual results to August 31, 2024, which the company has blamed on JSE updates to auditor accreditation criteria that impacted Trustco's audit obligations as a Namibian company. Shareholders also await the release by the company of its stated plans to delist from the JSE, Namibia Stock Exchange, and the OTCQX Market in the US. Meya Mining is registered in Mauritius and operates a diamond mine within the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone. During 2021, Namibia-based Trustco held 65% of Meya Mining…

Sassa spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi said the agency remained dedicated to prioritising the needs of its millions of beneficiaries and enhancing their customer experience. Postbank CEO Nikki Mbengashe, in a statement, announced that the MSA with Sassa remains in place and will continue unchanged until an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) has been constituted and deliberated on the matter. This meant the MSA would not terminate on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Mbengashe said the decision brought ‘certainty and assurance to millions of social grant beneficiaries who will continue to use their Postbank black cards and Sassa gold cards with confidence, enjoying uninterrupted access to their grants and associated banking benefits’. She said Postbank is dedicated to protecting beneficiaries’ interests, guaranteeing their ongoing access to social grants. These grants are vital to South Africa’s…

ONE of the main syndicates linked to the looting of more than R2 billion from Tembisa Hospital has properties in the Western Cape, according to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) interim report. The three main syndicates are the Maumela syndicate, Mazibuko syndicate and syndicate X. The Maumela syndicate is linked to Hangwani Maumela (the nephew of President Cyril Ramaphosa through a previous marriage) and the Mazibuko syndicate is linked to Rudolph Mazibuko, while investigations are continuing into X syndicate. The Maumela syndicate is associated with R816m in fraudulent contracts at the hospital. The SIU has identified and preserved significant assets, including luxury vehicles and properties, related to this syndicate. Three of the companies awarded contracts under the Maumela Syndicate are linked to Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, who was arrested in May…

Next month, Nzulu from Ramsgate, KZN, turns three — and for the very first time, he will blow out his birthday candles and enjoy a slice of cake without pain. His first two birthdays were spent in hospital, undergoing surgeries to repair his cleft, making this year’s celebration a simple joy that once felt out of reach. After undergoing life-changing cleft lip and palate surgeries through Operation Smile South Africa (OSSA), Nzulu’s own smile can finally shine, reflecting the courage, care and perseverance that brought him here. This World Smile Day, a new local survey has revealed that many people are surprisingly self-conscious about their smiles: 39% worry about food stuck in their teeth, 20% about crooked teeth, and 16% dislike their “weird smile” in photos. While most take their…

CRIME intelligence police officer, Thulani Obed Thango acted with “direct intent” to obstruct the arrest of a former ANC councillor by hiding him for hours on December 21, 2018. eThekwini former councillor, Mthokozisi Nojiyeza, was wanted by the members of the National Political Task team for the murder of Mlazi councillor Sibusiso Maphumulo on December 21. Nojiyeza is also an accused in the R320 million Durban Solid Waste tender fraud case against former mayor of eThekwini, Zandile Gumede. Magistrate Jackie Jonk found Thango to have collaborated with Nojiyeza's lawyer, Lunga Peter (who died during the trial), to prevent Nojiyeza's apprehension. Nojiyeza had sought legal assistance on Zandile Gumede’s advice because he was wanted. On December 21, Nojiyeza was picked up from his Umlazi home by his metro police bodyguards, constables…

POLICE have yet to arrest anyone in connection with the death of a Khayelitsha teenager allegedly assaulted by her friend’s mother during what was supposed to be a sleepover. Zukhanye Nkabeni, 13, was attacked last Friday night in Harare. She was later rushed to Khayelitsha District Hospital, where she died shortly after midnight on Saturday. Detailing the events leading to her granddaughter’s death, Portia Nkabeni, said yesterday: “My daughter, Unathi, called me and said she was at Zukhanye’s friend’s place. She said she was not in good condition, she was sitting on a couch and she had no energy. She even thought she was sleeping, and woke her up and she was unable to walk. The friend’s mother told Unathi that they assaulted Zukhanye because she was trying to break…

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos addressed the unsettling blunder that has cast a shadow over South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. At yesterday’s squad announcement in Johannesburg, Broos spoke about FIFA’s controversial decision to dock the team three vital points after fielding an ineligible player. However, Broos said he is keen to shift the focus onto the upcoming matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda. He is calling for unity and determination from players and fans alike as they navigate through this turbulent period. Bafana’s first match is at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, against Zimbabwe on Friday, October 10, 2025. The team must secure a vital win to keep their World Cup hopes on track. Following this encounter, Bafana will return home to Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga, where…

Erling Haaland said Manchester City must show more energy to end their miserable run on the road in the Uefa Champions League, after twice blowing the lead in a 2-2 draw at Monaco. Haaland scored both the visitors’ goals at the Stade Louis II to take his tally for the season to 17 in just 10 appearances for club and country. Monaco rallied to level through a wonder strike by Jordan Teze, and Eric Dier’s late penalty secured a point for the Ligue 1 side. “I’m pissed off, I think everyone should be,” Haaland told the BBC. “It’s not good enough.” City have failed to win away from home in Europe for a year, although a point did at least snap a run of four consecutive Champions League defeats on…