The Mercury - April 09, 2025

In this issue

April 09, 2025

ANC warned to shape up or risk defeat

PROFESSIONALS have warned the ANC to urgently address some of its pressing challenges or risk being wiped out as an electoral force.

2 mins

Corruption, broken trust at heart of policing challenges, says president

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has revealed that corruption and low levels of public trust are at the centre of the crime scourge that has left no aspect of society untouched, including the SAPS.

2 mins

Tensions rise over DA's future in GNU

Ramaphosa and Mashatile 'don't see eye to eye' on the ANC's coalition partner

3 mins

New laws aim to formalise traditional healing practices

FOR many years traditional healers have operated in a legal grey area, with one area of contention being the legitimacy of medical leave certificates provided by traditional healers and whether these should be accepted by employers.

2 mins

SABS executives should be suspended

THE DA calls on Minister Parks Tau to suspend top executives at the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), after evidence has emerged of the destruction of documents that could be crucial to the investigation into governance and management failures at the institution.

1 min

Recognition of two genders is biblical

IT IS A pity Thyagaraj Markandan allows the baseless, mass media disparagement of Donald Trump to distort his otherwise reasoned opinions (The Mercury, April 8).

1 min

Budget a litmus test for the GNU

WHEN the UDM leader Bantu Holomisa was on the opposition benches, he used to be a fierce critic of the ANC government.

1 min

A cat, crime and a mother-in-law...

A SAD little account comes this way concerning the impact of crime, domestic pets and social embarrassment.

2 mins

Durban Business Fair: A beacon of local economic empowerment

AS THE eThekwini Municipality celebrates the 27th year of hosting the annual premier and comprehensive business exhibition, the Durban Business Fair (DBF), it is time to reflect on the transformative impact this programme has had on the local economy.

4 mins

Taking control of your time in a fast-paced business world

I HEAR high profile business-types complaining about business and the demands of corporate life.

1 min

Man shot dead outside courtroom

A SHOOTING at the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court in Cape Town yesterday has resulted in the death of one man.

1 min

Former teacher ordered to pay R38 000 after impregnating pupil

A MAGISTRATE'S Court in Mpumalanga has ordered a former educator to pay R38 000 in future maintenance after impregnating a learner and inflicts further pain in this case a social justice non-profit organisation SECTION27 has described as a \"significant victory\" for the rights of school children.

1 min

Motoring experts weigh in on need to upgrade K53 driving test

SOUTH Africa’s roads are among the most dangerous in the world, with around 120000 people losing their lives each year.This has fuelled recent calls to revisit the K53 driving licence test in South Africa, with many suggesting a significant improvement in the training and testing needed in light of the low standard of driving behaviour.

2 mins

Ministers unveil R500m spaza shop fund, warn against fronting for illegal immigrants

QUALIFYING South African-born spaza shop owners have been urged to stop leasing out their properties to undocumented immigrants who run spaza shops in their communities.

2 mins

Lawyer claims police coerced confession in Joshlin Smith case

A DEFENCE lawyer in the case of the missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith alleges that police coerced a false confession from one of the accused, instructing him to implicate others in a purported child trafficking scheme.

2 mins

Job creation hope after Assmang Manganese closure

THE Hammarsdale Cato Ridge Development Association has described Assmang Manganese Cato Ridge Ltd as a large similar investor and exporter, and said that the imminent closure will be detrimental to the employees.

2 mins

Why the GNU was always a temporary fix

SINCE its inception, Surgetower has maintained that the GNU is, in essence, a coalition between the ANC and the DA, superintended by so-called king-making parties to lend it some legitimacy.

2 mins

Ordinary people are real victims of GNU squabbles

I WILL let others describe the political and socioeconomic carnage that Government of National Unity (GNU) partners' petty squabbles over the budget have already begun to wreak.

4 mins

DIVISIVE PARTIES HAVE NO PLACE IN STATE

WHOSE taxes does the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) intend to use to advance only the interests of Afrikaners and not all South Africans?

1 min

Israel's ambassador removed from AU genocide conference

Israel's Ambassador to Ethiopia was removed from the African Union (AU) Conference Commemorating the Rwandan Genocide yesterday after member states protested against the presence of Avraham Neguise, pictured, Israeli media reported, citing the country's foreign ministry.

1 min

Ex prosecutor arrested for attempted murder

DHAKA: Bangladeshi police said yesterday they arrested a lawyer who served as a senior prosecutor at a court that sentenced Islamist leaders to death under the rule of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

1 min

Gabon to vote in first election since 2023

GABON holds a presidential election on Saturday, the first since a 2023 coup ended the Bongo family's 56-year dynasty and which the country's new military rulers hope will legitimise and cement their hold on powers.

1 min

China using generative AI to sow discord on island, claims Taiwan

CHINA is using generative artificial intelligence (AI) to step up disinformation against Taiwan to \"divide\" Taiwan's public, the island's National Security Bureau said.

1 min

US tariffs imperil quake recovery

MYANMAR'S garment manufacturers have warned that US tariffs threaten to hobble the country's recovery from a devastating earthquake as the death toll rose to 36,00.

1 min

Global temperatures neared historic highs last month

GLOBAL temperatures hovered at historic highs last month, Europe's climate monitor said yesterday, prolonging an extraordinary streak that has tested scientific expectations.

2 mins

Strategic plan for education reform

INDIA is preparing to roll out its first school curriculum for Buddhist monasteries and focus patriotisim in Himalayan religious centres near its border with China.

1 min

SA ranks 8th on list of world's most stressful countries for drivers

SOUTH Africa has been identified as one of the world’s most challenging countries for drivers, placing eighth in a global ranking of driving stress.

1 min

Suspects nabbed with R1.5m of Eskom property in KwaZulu-Natal

POLICE arrested six suspects found in possession of stolen Eskom property worth R1.5m in Empangeni and Mtunzini.

1 min

Public support for Marriage Bill to combat tradition of 'ukuthwala'

RESIDENTS from Mbombela in Mpumalanga believe the Marriage Bill will often be misused in marrying older men.

2 mins

Former SANDF member sentenced to 20 years for raping colleague's teen daughter

A FORMER South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldier has been sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment after he was found guilty of raping a 14-year-old.

1 min

FlySafair faces scrutiny over foreign ownership

THE expected sanction on airline FlySafair for contravention of the foreign ownership regulations is now up in the air.

2 mins

Lesotho wants phone call with Trump after being slapped with 50% tariff

THE KINGDOM of Lesotho is seeking a telephonic conversation with United States President Donald Trump after the tiny nation was slapped with a 50% tariff that risks wiping out nearly half of its exports.

1 min

Unlock the health benefits of olive oil shots: a morning ritual worth trying

TAKING a shot of olive oil might not sound super appealing, but it's becoming a go-to morning ritual for many health-savvy folks.

1 min

Essential tips for buying the perfect suit

EVERY man needs to have a good suit in their wardrobe but buying a suit is more than just picking something that fits, it's about investing in your image, comfort and confidence.

2 mins

CTIJF BOOSTS LOCAL TALENT, SAYS PAST PERFORMER

THE Cape Town Interna tional Jazz Festival (CTIJF) has once again proven to be a pulsating arena for musical brilliance, show casing both established and emerging talents.

3 mins

Banks are lowering their costs due to constrained consumer appetite for more credit

SOUTH Africa's big banks adopted rigorous measures to contain costs last year after net interest margins (NIM) narrowed and consumer spending remained subdued, according to report released by professional services firm BDO South Africa on Tuesday.

2 mins

Transnet shatters record after handling over 200 000 TEUs at Durban Multipurpose Terminal

TRANSNET on Tuesday announced that it handled more than 200 000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in a single financial year at the Durban Multipurpose Terminal (MPT) for 2024/2025.

2 mins

Network providers raise concerns over Icasa’s satellite licensing framework

THE Association of Communications & Technology (ACT) – representing leading network operators including MTN, Vodacom, Telkom, and Rain – has publicly expressed its deep concerns regarding the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s (Icasa) recently proposed satellite services licensing framework.

1 min

Brent crude oil prices tumble on escalation of US-China tensions

BRENT crude oil price plummeted below $64 (R1 250) a barrel on Tuesday, marking their lowest point since April 2021, spurred by escalating tensions between the United States and China, raising concerns about future demand for oil as China is one of the world’s largest oil consumers.

3 mins

SA must strengthen diplomatic ties, diversify trade partnerships beyond the US

THE sudden hike of import tariffs by US President Donald Trump and his administration to countries across the world is set to reduce the volume of goods traded and affect citizen welfare across the globe.

3 mins

Citrus growers in South Africa call for urgent tariff negotiations with US

THE Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA) has made a fervent plea to the South African government, urging it to engage in immediate negotiations with the United States regarding potential tariff reductions or exemptions on citrus exports.

2 mins

Impact of tariffs on SA citrus exporters will hinge on health of US consumer: Absa report

SOUTH African citrus producers and other participants in the citrus export value-chain may need to absorb a portion of the 30% recipient tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump if American consumers cannot absorb them, Absa said in its report on Tuesday.

2 mins

Cashbuild moves to acquire 60% stake in Allbuildco Holdings for R93 million

CASHBUILD has confirmed its intent to acquire a controlling 60% interest in Allbuildco Holdings for R93 million in a bid to solidify its position within the hardware and building materials market.

2 mins

Sasol share price slumps amid operational, financial challenges

OVER the past year, Sasol’s share price has been on a troubling downward trajectory, reflecting a series of operational and financial hurdles that have beleaguered the integrated fuel-from-coal and chemicals giant.

2 mins

Rangel Logistics Solutions invests R125 million in SA’s warehouse to boost AfCFTA trade

RANGEL Logistics Solutions on Tuesday announced an additional investment of R125 million ($6.250 million) in a warehouse located near OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park.

2 mins

Pula Group seeks expedited ruling in R3.8bn lawsuit against ARC

TANZANIAN company Pula Group has approached the High Court in that country for a ruling to speed up its R3.195 billion (R3.874 billion) damages legal suit against Patrice Motsepe-owned African Rainbow Capital Investments (ARC).

2 mins

The critical role of municipalities in South Africa's Just Transition

Municipalities are uniquely poised at the forefront of South Africa's just transition, as their constitutional mandate is to provide basic services, encourage social and economic development, and to promote inclusive governance.

3 mins

Securing Africa's energy future starts at home: finding a local solution to a global challenge

AFRICA’S energy demands are surging, driven by rapid population growth and industrial expansion. Industries are now frantically seeking reliable and affordable power alternatives to run their operations, while the current reliance on imported solar technology, from panels, to inverters and batteries, leaves the continent vulnerable.

3 mins

Lava Lamp can light the way

HERE is an eight race meeting at Turffontein Standside today which officials were confident would go ahead after assessing the weather forecast.

3 mins

South African golf trio aim for glory as 'favourite week of the year' arrives at Augusta National

IT’S the 'favourite week' of the year for professional golfers as the Masters tournament takes centre stage from Thursday at Augusta National in Georgia.

3 mins

Baby Proteas to sharpen up for World Youth Cup at TNL

THE Telkom Netball League (TNL) was launched to much fanfare in Sandton, Johannesburg, yesterday with the rising addition of the pro-Under-21 team promising to spice up the competition.

3 mins

Bulls wrecking ball Wessels won't try fullback in Challenge Cup quarter-final

THE Bulls were far from home and dry early in the second half against Bayonne in last weekend's Challenge Cup playoff.

3 mins

Boks shake-up on cards? Injuries, form may push Erasmus toward overhaul

YOU may have expected a Springbok “changing of the guard” at the end of 2023, but it could happen before that.

2 mins

Beautiful football is not important in the Champions League: Riviero

ORLANDO Pirates are 90 minutes away from rewriting history. With one foot already in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League, the Sea Robbers return to the Orlando Stadium tonight looking to finish the job against MC Alger and take another giant stride towards continental glory. (6pm kick-off).

2 mins

Big guns wary of misfire against upstarts

CHAMPIONS League fever hits full throttle this week as Europe's elite prepare for quarter-final first legs - and there's no shortage of drama, ambition or respect among the final eight.

2 mins

Chiefs can have their own Newcastle story with the Nedbank Cup - Maponyane

KAIZER Chiefs legend Marks Maponyane believes the club’s hunger for silverware can be likened to that of English side Newcastle who recently broke their 70-year trophy drought.

2 mins

South Africa's government willing to collaborate for 2035 Rugby World Cup bid

THE South African Government is willing to take hands with corporate stakeholders to bring the tournament to home soil, if SA Rugby decides to bid for the hosting rights of the 2035 Rugby World Cup.

1 min

Tuskers credit careful recruitment as they return to Division One

THE Division Two cricket season has reached its conclusion, and the Pietermaritzburg-based Tuskers have secured promotion into Division One cricket having enjoyed a successful season in Division Two.

2 mins

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