Table of contents for 2026-03-24 in Mercury

Metal falls more than 8% to $4 100 per ounce, underscoring sell-off of safe-haven asset Gold prices have come under intense pressure amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, while the South African rand has weakened sharply as global investors retreat to safer assets. The precious metal fell more than 8% on Monday to around $4100 per ounce, marking its weakest level in four months. This extends a broader decline of over 20% since the start of the year, underscoring the scale of the sell-off in what is traditionally viewed as a safe-haven asset. Market analysts point to a shift in investor sentiment as the primary driver. While gold typically benefits from geopolitical uncertainty, the current environment over the war in Iran has instead fuelled inflation concerns due to…

Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are beginning to ripple through global investment flows, but South Africa remains confident that its flagship investment drive will proceed with strong backing from international partners. Speaking at a media briefing on Monday ahead of the sixth South African Investment Conference (SAIC), Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau acknowledged that the evolving conflict is already influencing investor sentiment and travel logistics, but insisted it would not derail the country’s investment ambitions. The conference, spearheaded by Cyril Ramaphosa since 2018, has become a cornerstone of South Africa’s strategy to attract both domestic and foreign capital. This year’s gathering is expected to host delegates from more than 30 countries, reinforcing the country’s positioning as a gateway to the African continent. However, Tau conceded that…

South Africa’s tourism industry is anticipating a strong Easter holiday period, with industry players expressing confidence that demand will remain resilient despite a sharp increase in fuel prices expected in April ahead of the bumper Easter weekend. Umhlanga Tourism chairperson Naomi Crous on Monday said they were expecting a strong and positive Easter period, with domestic travel expected to increase compared to previous years. Crous said while higher fuel prices may influence travel decisions, they are unlikely to deter Easter travel. “We expect travellers to adapt by shortening stays or sharing costs, rather than cancelling trips altogether. For Umhlanga, this may even be beneficial, as it remains a drive-friendly coastal destination for a large portion of the domestic market,” she said. Crous said that occupancy levels over the Easter weekend…

Earlier this month, a military correspondent filed a routine dispatch about a missile strike in the Middle East. Nobody was hurt. He moved on to the next story. Then, according to his published account, the threats started. Users of the prediction market Polymarket had wagered millions on that day’s events. The journalist’s report that a missile had landed, rather than been intercepted, meant certain bettors stood to lose heavily. As the Guardian and the Washington Post have since reported, what followed was escalating pressure to change the story: polite emails gave way to social media campaigns, then WhatsApp messages reportedly threatening his family. Polymarket itself condemned the harassment, reportedly banned involved accounts, and said it would share their information with authorities. Police are said to be investigating. The journalist says…

JSE listed coal miner, Thungela Resources - which on Monday declared a R2 per share final dividend for the year to December - has completed shaft life extension projects at two collieries, it said. Thungela confirmed that the Annea Colliery and Zibulo North Shaft life-extension projects have now been completed and that it is now working on ramping up production from the two operations. Thungela exceeded its own production guidance for 2025 to produce 17.8 million tons in export saleable coal. It recorded adjusted operating free cash flow of R396 million for the period and had net cash of R5.1 billion as at December-end, helping the company to a final R2 dividend that translated to a total payout of R4 for the full year under review. However, Thungela incurred a…

Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, an officer with the Gauteng Organised Crime Unit, defended himself against bribery allegations at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry yesterday, saying he never took cash from controversial businessman Katiso “KT” Molefe. The claims against Nkosi stem from two videos taken at Molefe’s house on November 27, 2024, where he was seen carrying a bag, suspected to contain cash. Nkosi explained to the commission that he visited Molefe’s house en route from court. The first video shows him arriving without a bag, and the second video shows him leaving with a bag in Molefe’s company. While at Molefe’s house, he said he collected gloves, a helmet, a shield and a T-shirt bought by Molefe on December 23, 2023 intending to return them to a Harley-Davidson store because they…

The Health Ombud, Professor Taole Mokoena, has revealed findings from two investigations into patient deaths in Gauteng, highlighting serious lapses in care, governance, and patient safety in both the public and private hospitals. Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria yesterday, Mokoena said, “It is the responsibility of the Health Ombud to uncover the truth, ensure accountability, and drive improvements to protect patients across the health system.” The first investigation concerned the death of 35-year-old psychiatric patient Lerato Mohlamme at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital. She died after a fire broke out in the psychiatric unit where she was being held in seclusion. Mokoena said the investigation, which was requested by the South African Human Rights Commission, revealed multiple procedural, clinical, and ethical failures. “The admission process did not…

Proteas captain Keshav Maharaj believes his young team are making strides heading into the series decider in Christchurch tomorrow. The tourists, who arrived in New Zealand without the vast majority of their T20 World Cup squad, began the series with a convincing victory over the Black Caps in the first T20I at the Bay Oval before faltering in Hamilton and Dunedin. But Maharaj’s rookies bounced back in spirited fashion with a 16-run victory in Wellington to set up a series decider in Christchurch tomorrow. The key element for the stand-in skipper was the manner in which his youthful charges refused to lay down when the series was on the line at the Cake Tin. “There was a lot of good energy and a little bit of hunger within the group,…

The Springbok Women’s Sevens side achieved their primary objective of qualifying for the HSBC SVNS World Championship, despite finishing third at the Montevideo SVNS2 tournament in Uruguay this past weekend. South Africa won three of their five matches at Estadio Charrua, producing passages of high-quality rugby that ultimately proved enough to secure their place among the elite on the global stage. For head coach Cecil Afrika, the result was a fair reflection of the team’s overall progress – even if inconsistency denied them a shot at the title. Afrika pinpointed two brief lapses as the difference between a tournament win and a third-place finish. “We had about 14 minutes of poor rugby across the weekend,” he said. “That was the first half against Spain in our opening game and then…

Relief felt by investors following US President Donald Trump’s initial change of tone regarding the ongoing crisis with Iran has quickly dissipated, as fresh threats over the weekend have sent global markets into a tailspin. Bianca Botes, Director at Citadel Global said on Monday that the unsettling rhetoric has not only dictated the mood on Wall Street but has also reverberated across markets in Asia, leading to a notable sell-off at the start of the week. “Following a fraught weekend in which President Trump warned that failure to keep the Strait of Hormuz open would compel the United States to target Iran’s electricity infrastructure, anxiety has reigned. In retaliation, Iran has threatened crucial water and energy infrastructure in the Gulf, raising the stakes considerably. Analysts point to this escalating tension…

The escalating conflict in the Middle East has entered a perilous new phase following the murder of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a joint US– Israeli airstrike in late February 2026. In the weeks since, a series of attacks involving sensitive nuclear sites has raised the specter of direct confrontation spiraling into nuclear catastrophe. n On 5 March 2026, Iran launched a ballistic missile strike against the U.S.-UK base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, demonstrating a striking range of nearly 4,000 km . The base is widely believed to host American nuclear weapons, as documented by the Federation of American Scientists in reports on U.S. bomber deployments there. n Around 18 March, Israel conducted a projectile strike approximately 350 metres from the reactor building at Iran’s…

Over the past few years, I have written a weekly column as a way to chronicle the steady march of innovation. It was, in many ways, a discipline of observation, an attempt to make sense of technological change as it unfolded, one idea at a time, through the permanence of print. But history has a way of accelerating beyond the formats we use to describe it. What once felt sufficient, measured reflection, captured in text, now feels incomplete. The pace of change, the layering of complexity, and the significance of this current technological moment demand a broader lens. Writing remains essential, but it can no longer carry the full weight of what is happening. This is a moment that calls for engagement. Not just commentary, but conversation. Not just analysis,…

In a move set to reshape consumer finance in South Africa, Cape Town-based startup Happy Pay has successfully closed a $5 million seed funding round, spearheaded by global technology investor Partech. This financing round also saw participation from a range of influential investors, including Futuregrowth Asset Management, 4Di Capital, and the University Technology Fund, among others. The primary goal? To expand the first ad-subsidised payments network in Africa, allowing consumers to enjoy cost-free Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) payments. With its innovative approach, Happy Pay offers an attractive alternative for over 600,000 registered users. By creating a platform that removes interest and fees from the repayment scenario, the startup aims to reimagine cash flow management for consumers. Wesley Billett, co-founder and CEO of Happy Pay, said, "Our mission is simple:…

Geoff Whyte, CEO of private tertiary education group Advtech, said on Monday that improved debtor control and stronger margins helped the company to a R2 billion operating profit for the year to December 2025. Advtech raised revenues for the period by 10% to R9.3bn with operating profits also shooting up by 14% to R2bn. Operating margins for the period climbed up to 21.8%. “Healthy enrolment growth, moderate fee increases, improved debtor control and increased margins contributed to Advtech delivering over R2bn in operating profit for the first time,” said Whyte. After the company’s education division boosted earnings, normalised earnings in Advtech strengthened by 17% to 236.1 cents. Operating margins in the education division improved to 24.7% as the company leveraged on its scale and continued to focus on efficiencies, helping…

The Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, delivered a scathing judgment regarding the lover of veteran politician and Cope leader Mosiuoa Lekota and mother of his child, who is said to have “emptied” his current bank account weeks before his death earlier this month. The court was also told that the lover, only identified as Adv A to protect their 16-year-old son, had failed to take the court into her confidence and explain the payments to herself from the joint bank accounts of Lekota and his wife Cynthia, starting from May last year up to February this year. In his judgment delivered yesterday, Judge Anthony Millar said: “The death of Mr Lekota could never have provided a respite for (Adv A) in having to account for her actions with regards to the…

Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel, highlighted the need for enhanced whistleblower protection as part of South Africa’s broader anti-corruption strategy during the relaunch of the African Ombudsman Research Centre (AORC). Nel said that ombudsman institutions in Africa serve as vital guardians of accountability, justice, and citizen empowerment. “With the support of regional bodies such as the African Ombudsman Research Centre (AORC) and AOMA (African Ombudsmen and Mediators Association), these institutions are becoming increasingly resilient, visible, and sustainable, strengthening their ability to promote good governance across the continent,” Nel said. “AORC has played a key role in building institutional capacity through knowledge-sharing, training, and collaboration.” Nel said he was fortunate to attend AORC’s launch on March 15, 2011, during his first term as Deputy Minister of Justice…

The eThekwini Municipality is proposing a fixed monthly charge for all domestic water users to address water losses and to assist customers facing high bills due to undetected leaks. In a recent media statement, it said its Finance Committee had recommended, in a meeting on March 18, certain amendments for consultation and approval by Full Council. The proposals include: To address water losses and assist customers facing high bills due to undetected leaks, the Municipality proposes a fixed monthly charge for all domestic water users. This will fund adjustments or write-offs in qualifying cases. Customers will now have 180 days (previously 60 days) from the date of repair to submit a water loss notification form, along with supporting documentation, at Sizakala Centres or Revenue Customer Services centres. Customers wishing to…

The four South African United Rugby Championship (URC) franchises showed determination and skill in equal measure at the weekend to register a full house of bonus-point victories at a crucial stage of the tournament. In other words, out of a possible 20 points, the SA teams delivered 20 in the four home games. Three of the four sides – the Stormers, Lions and Bulls – remain in the Top 8, while the Sharks kept their play-off dreams alive in a confidence-boosting weekend for the South African challenge. In mark of how hotly the competition is contested, only the Stormers moved up a position (to second) while the Bulls (eighth), Lions (seventh), and Sharks (eleventh) held their positions. The big difference, though, is that the three teams vastly improved their points…

Durban City secured a hard-fought victory over Richards Bay this past weekend in a much-anticipated KwaZulu-Natal derby in the Betway Premiership, and in doing so put themselves into an unexpected discussion regarding the Top 3. The 1-0 victory was sealed by Samkelo Maseko’s late strike on Sunday evening at the Chatsworth Stadium, inserting the Citizens into fifth spot in the Premiership standings. Now on 35 points, they are two points shy of third-placed AmaZulu and one point above sixth-placed Sekhukhune United. Fourth-placed Kaizer Chiefs – on 36 points – are the other club in a tight grouping vying for pan-African competition. Following the recent victory, interim coach Pitso Dladla shed light on how the team continues to thrive amidst a tumultuous coaching landscape. Having clinched promotion to the top tier…

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) has sounded a stark warning over the escalating conflict in the Middle East, saying the crisis is already destabilising global markets and poses a serious threat to South Africa’s economic recovery prospects. The business lobby group on Monday said the war, which has disrupted shipping routes and pushed oil prices sharply higher, is triggering ripple effects across the global economy that are being felt in emerging markets such as South Africa. Brent crude traded above $113 per barrel on Monday after earlier touching $115 as investors reacted to renewed tensions and uncertainty over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. The narrow waterway carries roughly a fifth of global oil supplies, and any…

Online commerce is no longer new to the South African market, with research from World Wide Worx indicating that ecommerce surpassed R130 billion in 2025 and captured close to 10% of total retail sales. Smartphone users are driving a significant portion of that growth, with around 55% of users reporting that they use their phones to shop online. However, we are still in the early phases of mobile commerce, with a range of innovations reshaping how South African consumers discover, evaluate and buy products and services. Social commerce, artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality are changing how people shop by offering them immersive new experiences and deeper personalisation. Brands and retailers on the cutting edge are already weaving AI into their e-commerce apps and websites to improve personalisation and convenience…

Hammerson, the London and JSE-listed retail-focused Real Estate Investment Trust, might raise additional capital again later this year from the market to help fund possible acquisitions, the newly appointed CEO Rob Wilkinson said on Monday. Just over 30% of the group’s shares are owned by South African institutional shareholders, with the Public Investment Corporation and Coronation Fund Managers among the major shareholders. The group raised £319 million (about R7.6 billion) last July through an institutional equity placing, representing about 10% of issued share capital. The funds were used to help fund the purchase of the remaining 50% stake in Birmingham’s Bullring & Grand Central shopping centre. Hammerson invests in prime retail-led city destinations in the UK, France, and Ireland. For the year to December 2025, the group increased net rentals…

“I demand a redo damn it!” That was the battle cry from Kevin Hart after seeing his new wax figure, which is on display at the Hollywood Wax Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. In an Instagram post that has the internet in stitches, Hart called it a personal “attack”. The comedian spared no caps-lock in his takedown: “WTTTTFFFFF …. What did I do to these people…. This is an attack…. Who in the fk is this??? At this point these museums are just trying to make me cry. This st has to stop…. I demand a redo damn it!!!!!!!” While the museum managed to get the gold chain right, they seemingly skipped the part where they looked at a photo of Hart’s face. Naturally, his favourite “frenemy” Dwayne “The Rock”…

The legal battle over the private production and use of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines will turn to the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, this week after mediation between the parties to try to reach common ground, failed. Livestock farmers, Sakeliga, the Suider-Afrika Agri Inisiatief (Saai) and Free State Agriculture (the applicants) will apply for an interdict against the government's obstruction of private-sector procurement and administration of FMD vaccines. Sakeliga and other parties last week participated in a court-prescribed mediation with the government, which was unsuccessful. Subsequent to this Tuesday’s court hearing concerns the first stage of the legal battle. The court will be asked to issue an interdict restraining the state from blocking private individuals and entities from administering registered or authorised FMD vaccines to livestock. It will also be asked…

Convicted apartheid assassin Eugene de Kock told the Gqeberha High Court yesterday that suspected “terrorists” who could not be arrested were expected to be killed — sometimes by any means, including what he called “taking the head off the snake". And those orders, the 77-year-old said, came straight from the top of the apartheid state — then president PW Botha — and were passed down through the highest levels of the security police. De Kock was testifying at the Cradock Four inquest into the 1985 abduction and murders of anti-apartheid activists Matthew Goniwe, Fort Calata, Sicelo Mhlauli, and Sparrow Mkonto. The four men were kidnapped, brutally beaten, shot, and their bodies set alight. Taking the witness stand with a grey beard and a khaki short-sleeved shirt, De Kock said…

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has firmly rejected any suggestion of an emotional farewell tour, insisting his focus remains solely on delivering a strong 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. The Belgian mentor, who has confirmed he will retire after the tournament at the age of 74 later this year, addressed the topic as his squad reconvened for their first camp, since the disastrous Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. But while the narrative of a final chapter has begun to build externally, Broos made it clear he has no interest in sentimentality. “No, no, no, the end is for later; for now it’s 100% everything I’ve done in the past five years,” Broos said, from Pretoria, yesterday afternoon. It is a stance that reflects the same pragmatic approach…

The day before the Lions beat Edinburgh 54-17 at Ellis Park, Ivan van Rooyen visited the LIV golf tournament at Steyn City. He says he was wide-eyed and inspired by the scale of the well-supported extravaganza put on by Johannesburg. “I popped into the LIV golf and saw what an event like that could do for the city,” Van Rooyen said. “It got me thinking about what the Lions could do (if successful). We would love to do something similar for Joburg. The energy and the professionalism of the event were incredible. “We would love to mirror that,” the coach added. “When you are at that level, you get the people back, you can change the economy in the area, you can make a difference. I am up for that.”…

For all the talk of evolution under Mikel Arteta, Sunday’s League Cup final felt like a step back into a familiar and uncomfortable narrative for Arsenal. They were composed early on, controlled possession and looked every bit the side leading the English Premier League title race. But when the game shifted – as it so often does against a Pep Guardiola team – Arsenal had no answer. And that, more than the result itself, should concern Gunners fans most. Because this wasn’t just a cup final defeat. It was another reminder that Guardiola still holds a tactical edge over his former assistant – and perhaps a psychological one, too. Arsenal started well, dictating tempo and territory, but control without incision has become a recurring theme in their biggest matches. They…