The Mercury - May 14, 2025

In this issue

May 14, 2025

Court to rule on Friday in NSPCA versus Daybreak Foods case

JUDGMENT in the animal cruelty and rights matter between the National Council of SPCAS (NSPCA) and Daybreak Foods will be handed down on Friday after the Gauteng High Court sitting in Johannesburg heard the matter yesterday.

2 mins

Call for increased intra-African travel as Travel Indaba kicks off in Durban

DEPUTY President Paul Mashatile has urged Africans to travel to countries on the continent in order to boost the tourism sector across regions.

2 mins

Prudential Authority to appeal Ithala ruling

LEGAL FIGHT

2 mins

KZN targets cannabis for job creation

Bid to boost development of rural economy

3 mins

Reflecting on football then and now

I WATCHED the Nedbank Cup final between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, which was played at the packed Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

1 min

Patriotism and religion should be not be conflated

PATRIOTISM has no religion.

1 min

Where they don't give up

Nobody in the town had any idea where she had gone and nobody had heard from her over the 62 years — until about a week ago, that is.

1 min

Abandoned baby found alive in Pietermaritzburg

KWAZULU-Natal police are investigating a case of child abandonment after a baby boy was found wrapped in a white cloth and abandoned on a pile of dirt in Northdale, Pietermaritzburg, on Sunday night.

2 mins

IEC says no decision taken on electronic voting

THE Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) reiterated yesterday that it has not taken a decision on the implementation of electronic voting, other than developing a document for a national conversation.

2 mins

Armed gang steals 300 litres of diesel from Bergville road project

A VIOLENT gang of six armed men, believed to be linked to the construction mafia, stormed a construction site this week in the rural area of Bergville in KwaZulu-Natal and stole 300 litres of diesel.

1 min

Minister Mchunu condemns Inanda criminals for brazen social media posts

UNDER SEIGE

1 min

Mashatile invites Trump to witness SA's reality amid genocide claims

DEPUTY President Paul Mashatile said United States President Donald Trump has been fed false information about the \"genocide of white Afrikaners” in the country and invited him to see the truth for himself.

2 mins

R2.7 million electricity bill was due to meter reading error - City

WHILE the eThekwini Municipality has said that a R2.7 million electricity bill for a Reservoir Hills doctor was as a result of an incorrect meter reading, a lawyer has said he has been dealing with several incorrect billing cases.

2 mins

Only truth will set you free, minister Schreiber

HOME Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber set the bar high with his handling of the former Miss SA contestant Chi-dimma Adetshina saga, in particular the investigation into how her mother had obtained a South African citizenship.

1 min

The impact of data centres on Africa's energy future

AS someone who has spent years working at the intersection of energy policy, infrastructure development, and stakeholder engagement, I have seen how critical energy access and reliability are to economic growth.

3 mins

How VAT and unemployment affect South African youth

Decision not to raise VAT sustains an already oppressive status quo

3 mins

Tariffs see profit decline for Honda

JAPAN'S Honda Motor yesterday forecast a 70% drop in net profit for the 2025-26 financial year as US trade tariffs weigh on the global auto industry.

1 min

Hollywood stars condemn Gaza genocide

MORE than 380 figures from the cinema world including “Schindler's List” actor Ralph Fiennes condemned “genocide” in Gaza in an open letter published yesterday ahead of the Cannes Festival.

1 min

Armed group leader killed in clashes

OVERNIGHT clashes in Libya's capital killed at least six people, an emergency medical service said yesterday, with local media reporting that an armed group leader was among the dead.

2 mins

Taiwan war drama ‘a wake-up call’

A CHINESE military blockade of Taiwan ignites panic across the self-ruled idan as banks shut down, families flee, fake news spreads and Taiwanese troops brace for attack.

3 mins

Personal injury lawyers challenge mediation directive

THE Personal Injury Plaintiff Lawyers Association (PIPLA), representing about 400 personal injury lawyers, has turned to the Constitutional Court over the legality and constitutionality of the new practice directive mandating compulsory mediation in civil matters in the Gauteng Division.

1 min

Opera singer seeks public's help to recover stolen violin

AN ASPIRING opera singer and music teacher is appealing to the public for help in locating a rare replica of the 18th-century violin known as the Guarneri del Gesu 'Vieuxtemps' of 1741, which was stolen nearly a year ago.

2 mins

US president 'unlikely' to attend 2025 G20 Summit

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump appears unlikely to attend the upcoming G20 Leaders' Summit scheduled for November in Johannesburg, but South Africa's International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola said it is up to the US to confirm his attendance or absence.

2 mins

NPA appeals Omotoso's rape acquittal

COMPLEX MATTER

2 mins

KZN welcomes international buyers and delegates to experience its splendour

AFRICA’S Travel Indaba (ATI) 2025 not only showcases and boosts Africa's premium tourism offerings and destinations, it also emphasises KwaZulu-Natal’s ethereal beauty and places South Africa at the top of the global investment map.

3 mins

Here comes the bride – with her 95 bridesmaids

WHEN Jack McGowan, and his bride Kathryn exchanged vows at Larchfield Estate in Northern Ireland, it wasn't just the romantic setting that had everyone talking - it was the record-breaking bridal party.

2 mins

Law Roach reveals Zendaya's wedding dress will be 'really beautiful' but unlikely to be ever seen

IN A conversation that has social media abuzz, Law Roach has shared intriguing insights into Zendaya's wedding plans with Tom Holland.

2 mins

SILENT SHEDDING: A GUIDE TO POSTPARTUM HAIR LOSS

PREGNANCY is a journey full of joy, change, and surprises.

3 mins

The return of dumbphones: adults, teens ditch easy internet access for mental health

HAVE you ever caught yourself mindlessly scrolling for hours, only to wonder where your evening went?

3 mins

Dreams of 3% growth and a million jobs unravel as unemployment soars past 32%

SOUTH Africa's grand ambitions – through a business and government partnership to grow the economy 3% this year and, by doing so, create a million jobs is simply not happening as structural economic issues are hindering job creation prospects.

2 mins

Major vehicle recalls announced in South Africa due to safety defects

THE National Consumer Commission (NCC) has issued a critical update regarding a series of vehicle recalls that could have serious implications for drivers across South Africa.

1 min

Exxaro embarks on major manganese acquisition as new CEO takes the reins

Exxaro is sinking R11.6 billion into the acquisition of manganese assets in the Northern Cape

2 mins

Macua says R284 million in social development funds missing from South African mining sites

THE Mining Affected Communities United in Action (Macua) has announced that a conservative estimate of at least R284 million in Social and Labour Plan (SLP) funds remained unaccounted for across 11 mining sites.

1 min

Nampo Harvest Day kicks off, spotlighting the future of South African agriculture

NAMPO Harvest Day, hailed as the largest agricultural show in the Southern Hemisphere, officially commenced on Wednesday, welcoming industry professionals and enthusiasts alike.

2 mins

South Africa ratifies Luxembourg Rail Protocol to enhance international financing opportunities

MINISTER of Transport Barbara Creecy has announced the country's ratification of the Luxembourg Rail Protocol in a move poised to transform the railway landscape in South Africa.

2 mins

Africa Travel Indaba launches with high hopes and ambitious goals

THE Africa Travel Indaba, one of the continent's premier tourism showcases, kicked off on Tuesday in Durban.

2 mins

Greencoat Renewables seeks secondary listing on JSE's Alternative Exchange

GREENCOAT Renewables, an owner and operator of renewable energy infrastructure in Europe, is applying for a secondary listing on the JSE’s Alternative Exchange, with a listing planned for later this year.

2 mins

Octodec Investments adjusts income outlook lower as economic landscape shifts

OCTODEC Investments, a real estate investment trust (REIT) boasting a R11.3 billion portfolio of apartments, industrial and retail properties in Johannesburg and Tshwane, has revised its distribution income growth guidance down due to an increasingly uncertain market outlook.

2 mins

Capitalising on Namibia's oil and gas boom to ensure sustainability through inclusive growth

NAMIBIA is well positioned for significant growth and transformation.

2 mins

Spain and Portugal's blackout: A wake-up call for energy policy makers

IF WE ARE serious about securing a resilient, sustainable future, we must learn the right lessons and fast.

3 mins

Truth in climate action and the energy transition: countering climate denialism and misinformation

AS THE risks of climate change become increasingly evident worldwide, the need for reliable and accurate information is more crucial than ever.

3 mins

Star In Motion a bright bet

THE revamped Hollywoodbets Greyville polytrack received favourable reviews after the first meeting on the surface with runners able to lead or come from behind with little kick-back which was a bugbear on the older surface.

3 mins

The Spanish guitar bows out early but leaves a lasting legacy at Pirates

JOSÉ Riveiro will officially vacate his post as head coach of Orlando Pirates today, after the club granted his request to be released before the end of the season, with his last match in charge the Sea Robbers Betway Premiership clash last night against Golden Arrows The early departure has disrupted the club's original plans to give him a fitting send-off, following his decision not to renew his contract next month.

2 mins

Sundowns are one point from making history

MAMELODI Sundowns are on the brink of yet another historic milestone as they prepare to face Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium this evening (7.30pm kick-off).

2 mins

Burmester seeks strong performance at PGA Championship

INCLEMENT weather might have hampered his preparation for the PGA Championship, starting on Thursday, but South African Dean Burmester will look for four days of 'good golf' to give him a shot at the title.

2 mins

Mokwena's return written in the stars as Riveiro bids farewell to Pirates

AS José Riveiro prepares to exit the stage, the door swings wide open for a new dawn at Orlando Pirates. Whether by fate or design, Rulani Mokwena could step in seamlessly, offering both fresh energy and the continuity the club craves.

2 mins

India face new Test era as Kohli and Rohit exit

INDIA cricket will enter an uncertain new era next week when selectors name a Test squad without all-time greats Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the first time in more than a decade.

2 mins

Rich Boyz on brink of safety with KZN derby against Arrows looming

RICHARDS Bay are just one point away from securing their Betway Premiership status for next season as they prepare for a crucial KwaZulu-Natal derby against Golden Arrows.

2 mins

How Canada's One Squad philosophy could transform SA rugby

THE Springbok Women are hard at work in their latest high-intensity training camp, with Wednesday marking 100 days until the Rugby World Cup kicks off in England.

2 mins

Breakdown shaping up as a key battle area for Sharks

THE Sharks can’t afford to be toothless in their final United Rugby Championship (URC) match of the regular season, at home against the Scarlets on Saturday (7.30pm kick-off), with the breakdown shaping up as a key battle area.

2 mins

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