The Mercury - April 04, 2025

In this issue

April 04, 2025

DA launches urgent court bid against VAT hike

Resolutions to adopt fiscal framework 'irregular and unlawful'

2 mins

No budget, no stock, no meters: eThekwini's prepaid utility crisis

THE eThekwini Municipality prepaid water and electricity meter crisis continues with growing installation backlogs blamed on limited budgets, stock and vehicles.

2 mins

Top cop responds to criticism of the SAPS's handling of Cwecwe rape case

THE police's response to the rape of 7-year-old Cwecwe came under scrutiny during a Portfolio Committee on Police meeting this week.

2 mins

SAMA unpacks its legal challenge against NHI Act

THE South African Medical Association (SAMA) is taking what it calls a bold and comprehensive legal stand against the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act, as it says the legislation threatens to destabilise South Africa's healthcare system.

2 mins

SA funeral industry to honour excellence at awards

THE National Funeral Business Lifetime Achievement Awards (NFBLAA) is set to host its first-ever national awards, which are aimed at promoting professionalism in the funeral industry.

1 min

Call for community ownership of rural malls

THE organisation representing African businesses, the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industries (Nafcoc), is calling for malls built in rural and township areas to be partly owned by those communities.

1 min

Father sentenced to double life term for horrific rape, murder of baby girl

A MAN sat motionless in court yesterday as he was sentenced to two life terms for what the court called the barbaric and monstrous killing of his 8-day-old baby daughter, as well as for raping the infant.

2 mins

New firearm regulations for security sector under fire

THE South African Gunowners’ Association (SAGA) says the regulatory proposals regarding firearm use by private security has numerous “debilitating, damaging and harmful provisions”.

2 mins

Women, children only feel 'safe' underground

South Africa, like much of the world, continues to fail its most vulnerable populations

5 mins

DA still trapped in comfort of opposition

THE DA spent decades branding itself as the champion of good governance and the only viable alternative to the ANC. Yet, despite finally entering the Government of National Unity (GNU), the DA remains shackled by its deeply ingrained oppositionist mindset.

3 mins

World leaders react to tariffs

US President Donald Trump said he would impose a 10% baseline tariff on all imports to the US and higher duties on some of his country's biggest trading partners, drawing defiant responses from leaders and governments around the world.

2 mins

Syria urged to probe 'war crimes'

RIGHTS group Amnesty International yesterday called on the Syrian government to ensure accountability for sectarian massacres targeting the Alawite minority six months, saying they may constitute war crimes.

1 min

Kenya's church donations and colonialism

IN KENYA, Christianity is the dominating religion comprising approximately 85% of the population. Christianity first arrived in Kenya through the coastal regions in the 15th century, bringing Western education, literacy, and missionary control over society, influenced by British colonialism.

2 mins

New upper limit, disclosure threshold for party donations proposed

The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has recommended an increase in the disclosure threshold and upper limit for donations to political parties and independent candidates.

2 mins

SCA orders health department to pay damages to mom of disabled child

THE Eastern Cape Health Department has been ordered to pay damages to the mother of a child who has cerebral palsy after it was found that the condition was due to medical negligence at the Madzikane KaZulu Memorial Hospital.

1 min

Digital deeds registration system launched

THE Department of Land Reform and Rural Development has, through the office of the Chief Registrar of Deeds, announced the launch of the Electronic Deeds Registration System (eDRS) this week.

2 mins

Testing an affordable bulletproof car window against point-blank gunshots

WITH hijackings and knifecrime a constant threat to many South Africans, not everyone has the financial means for a comprehensive bulletproof car.

2 mins

Upgraded Silverton plant to produce hybrid vehicles

COLIN WINDELL SOUTH Africa’s Silverton Manufacturing Plant has kicked off full-scale production of Ford’s new Ranger Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), marking a pivotal shift in the company’s road map to sustainably strategise the hybrid setup, assembled exclusively in South Africa for international markets, underscores Ford’s commitment to greener manufacturing and innovation.

2 mins

A bakkie with all the attitude, swank that South Africans love

SOUTH Africans have a special affinity for their bakkies and when they get some extra swank, we like them even more.

3 mins

SA farmers brace for impact of US tariffs

FARMING Associations across South Africa have expressed serious concern regarding the future of the agricultural sector following the announcement from US President Donald Trump indicating that tariffs of up to 30% could be levied on South African exports.

2 mins

Aluminium sector breathes a sigh of relief as US tariffs exempt the critical mineral

THE aluminium sector has said it was relieved to be seem exempted from the sweeping 30% tariffs on products announced by US President Donald Trump, which exempts strategic minerals under which aluminium falls.

2 mins

SA faces turbulent economic outlook, rising inflation as US tariffs wreak havoc

President Trump unveiled a 10% tariff on all imports, with higher rates for countries with trade surpluses

2 mins

MTN CEO Ralph Mupita appointed deputy chair of GSMA Board to steer mobile innovation

MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita has been elected as Deputy Chair of the GSMA Board for a position he will hold until the end of 2026.

1 min

Gauteng Investment Conference secures over R312bn in commitments for economic growth

THE inaugural Gauteng Investment Conference on Thursday charted a promising course for economic revitalisation in South Africa's financial and economic engine.

2 mins

Trump's trade war: South Africa's unwanted casualty?

PRESIDENT Trump's announcement of sweeping reciprocal tariffs, while framed as a move towards fair trade, throws a significant wrench into the gears of global supply chains and presents a particularly complex challenge for South Africa.

1 min

SA corporates maintain positive sentiment despite uncertainties

RESILIENT South African corporates and analysts have adopted an overall positive sentiment on the economy on the back of expected strong earnings, despite risks emanating from United States and government of national unity (GNU) disagreements.

2 mins

Naamsa warns of job losses as US imposes steep tariffs on SA automotive exports

The Automotive Business Council (Naamsa) has warned that the United States’ move to hike tariffs by up to 30% for South Africa’s vehicle exports could have serious implications for jobs and investment in the local industry.

2 mins

Jubilee Metals Group announces R127 million copper waste sale, share price rises by 7.7%

JUBILEE Metals Group's share price shot up 7.7% on the JSE Thursday morning after the agreement was announced to sell 10 million tons of copper waste from about $6.75 million (R127.05m), from the $84 million tons of material to a selected international company.

2 mins

Essential tips for financial fitness before taking a loan

MANY people start off the year promising that they will get gym fit. And for many, this resolution has already been forgotten along with the expensive trainers hiding at the back of the shoe cupboard. But, getting - and staying - financially fit throughout the year is a resolution we should all stick to.

2 mins

How to choose the right annuity for a secure retirement income

RETIREMENT from a fund marks the shift from building capital to drawing an income from it. Choosing the most suitable annuity for your needs can be challenging, with a range of variables to consider before making a decision which including the following:

3 mins

Metropolitan International Holdings faces lawsuit over alleged fraudulent share transaction in Kenya

METROPOLITAN International Holdings (MIH), a Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed Momentum Group subsidiary, is facing legal action in Kenya over an alleged fraudulent share transaction involving Canton Assurance Ltd.

3 mins

Fleshy baits with chokka your best bets for pulling in kob and snapper salmon

As the school holidays wrap up, there’s no better way to send them off than with an action-packed fishing week-end!

2 mins

Banyana’s Wafcon defence back on track as Ellis leaves Super League chaos behind

SMISO MSOMI WITH the Hollywoodbets Super League season in an uncertainty, Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis is relieved to finally put the league distractions behind as the reigning Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) title defence.

2 mins

Expect tenacious MaMkhize to make one last stand to rescue under-fire Royal AM

HERMAN GIBBS

2 mins

Arrows, Chippa look to cement their top-eight ambitions

MALIBONGWE MOLETEKISE

2 mins

Much like Quidditch, Lawson’s Red Bull drive made no sense

I WOULD like to take a moment to address something that has been on my mind for, oh, perhaps the last 20 years if not longer.

3 mins

AmaZulu's top-eight ambitions clash with Richards Bay's survival battle in KZN derby

THE Premiership will feature a critical KwaZulu-Natal derby on Friday night as AmaZulu take on Richards Bay at King Zwelithini Stadium.

2 mins

Not the time to explain yet, says Riveiro on shock Pirates departure

IN a surprising turn of events, Jose Riveiro has made known his intention to step down as head coach of Orlando Pirates when his contract expires in May, at the end of the current season.

2 mins

Cele admits Chiefs are in crisis as they face TS Galaxy clash

KAIZER Chiefs will get another chance to write a winning chapter in a season that has been hampered by a series of setbacks and missed opportunities, when they host TS Galaxy in a crucial Betway Premiership clash at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium tomorrow (7pm kick-off).

2 mins

Comfortable Conrad would like to do SA job, but waits on CSA

WITH Rob Walter having resigned as Proteas limited-overs coach, many have called for Test coach Shukri Conrad to be given the limited-overs job as well, purely because of the impressive job he has done with the Test squad over the past two years.

2 mins

Mongalo warns Sharks about Lyon's "large units, flair'

THE Sharks' defence of their Challenge Cup title begins in earnest on Sunday when they travel to Lyon for a last-16 match, and Sharks assistant coach Joey Mongalo says his team is in good shape despite a humbling loss to Leinster last week.

2 mins

Gurkha to win the battle

Kannemeyer's charge can get the afternoon off on a winning note

1 min

Kudzu to put them in the shade

AFTER a string of four runner-up finishes, Kudzu finally broke the ice last time out as Muzi Yeni drove him home with a strong finish to win over the Turffontein inside mile.

3 mins

The Dubai World Cup - A World Pool Event

THE Dubai World Cup is one of the world’s most prestigious horse racing events. This year, tomorrow’s meeting at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai is part of the World Pool, a global betting collaboration that provides more competitive dividends.

2 mins

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