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The Mercury - May 25, 2026

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In this issue

May 25, 2026

Sexwale disputes Ramaphosa's account of Phala Phala farm scandal

ANC veteran Tokyo Sexwale has accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of being dishonest about the Phala Phala farm scandal.

2 mins

Motsoaledi unveils AI and HIV innovation drive

HEALTH Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says South Africa is entering a new era of healthcare innovation that could dramatically change the fight against HIV, tuberculosis, and cervical cancer.

2 mins

Municipality faces scrutiny over alleged 'favouritism' claims

MEMBERS of the National Standing Committee of Public Accounts (Scopa) grilled the eThekwini Municipality over allegations of favouritism in the treatment of some of its workers, including defending an employee accused of serious allegations of corruption.

2 mins

ZULU PALACE POWER WAR ERUPTS

Infighting over access to King Misuzulu blamed for confusion surrounding top palace dismissals

3 mins

Empowerment: A call to women to stand up for themselves

SOME years ago, I penned a column entitled to all the girls and women I know and those I don’t and it was widely read.

1 mins

Whale of a time: Humpbacks set new distance record

TWO humpback whales have set new records for the longest-known distances travelled for their species by embarking on a journey of over 14 000 km between Brazil and Australia, scientists have said.

2 mins

Classroom issue exemplifies Democratic fascism

THE war being waged by the depraved Democrats against the constitution and traditional American values was well illustrated this past week in Drake Middle School in Colorado (Fox News and X, May 21).

1 mins

How Gaza’s genocide could explode in our taxi ranks

IN CASE nobody else has noticed, we could be at the start of a major civil unrest, if not an actual, full-blown revolution.

2 mins

The rule of law must anchor continental unity

THERE was profound wisdom in the words of that towering African statesman, the late Kwame Nkrumah, who declared that “the independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of Africa”.

3 mins

SA receives record 3.5 million foot-and-mouth disease vaccine doses

SOUTH Africa has received the first batch of a record 3.5 million-dose consignment of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines, as government intensifies efforts to contain the outbreak and protect the country’s livestock sector.

1 mins

SAPS forensic captain arrested over interference in murder investigations

POLICE have arrested a SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory captain in Pretoria on charges of defeating the ends of justice, in a development linked to several high-profile murder investigations and evidence presented before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

1 mins

Tourist killings spark Kruger safety fears

THE couple killed in Kruger National Park have been identified as Dina Marais, 73, and Ernst Marais, 71, from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape.

2 mins

Johannesburg Society of Advocates refutes claims of racial quotas in pupillage intake

THE Johannesburg Society of Advocates (JSA) has strongly denied claims made by one of its members regarding its pupillage admissions programme and the quota system used by the association.

2 mins

Africa urgently needs visionary leadership

Africa possesses many solutions that it too often neglects

5 mins

Pilgrims from the West flock to hajj

DESPITE the Middle East war and a US government travel advisory, there was never any doubt in Fadel’s mind that he would attend this year’s hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

2 mins

Families await news of missing miners

A MAN nervously smoked a cigarette as he sat by a checkpoint, waiting for news of his older brother caught up in China’s worst mining disaster in nearly two decades.

2 mins

World Health Assembly concludes

THE six-day 79th World Health Assembly concluded at the weekend in Geneva, during which member states adopted multiple resolutions to advance multilateral cooperation in safeguarding human health.

1 mins

Bangladesh puts AI in driving seat

BANGLADESH'S densely populated capital, infamous for grinding gridlock, has launched its first AI-powered traffic enforcement system in a bid to bring order to one of the world’s most congested cities.

2 mins

Pharmacy bust for illegal weight-loss drug production

THE South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), working alongside the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC), has intensified enforcement action against the unlawful manufacturing and distribution of unregistered weight-loss medicines containing semaglutide and tirzepatide, following a raid at a Pretoria pharmacy that uncovered serious regulatory breaches.

1 mins

ANC Women's League calls for 50/50 gender split for eThekwini councillor candidates

AS PART of getting women to vote for the ANC in numbers in eThekwini, the regional Women's League chairperson, Sinegugu Sishange has called for the total implementation of a 50/50 gender representation policy in the selection of councillor candidates.

1 mins

Cachalia urges crackdown on alcohol-fuelled crime

ACTING Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia has called for tougher action against alcohol abuse and its contribution to the wave of crime that has swept through the country in recent years.

3 mins

Court rules against widow who signed away her home during financial distress

THE North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has overturned a lower court ruling that restored a property to a woman who claimed she had been deceived into signing away ownership of her home during financial distress.

2 mins

The funnel neck jacket is winter 2026's hottest outerwear trend

THERE is a particular jacket making the rounds this winter that has become impossible to ignore.

2 mins

Turn your home into a sanctuary with these beginner-friendly plants

GREEN FINGERS

3 mins

Why these hearty winter comfort dishes are worth the wait

LOW AND SLOW

2 mins

HOW EQUALITY IS RESHAPING THE RULES OF MODERN ROMANCE

“IGNORE the sexist joke.”

3 mins

Moody's positive outlook revision boosts confidence in SA's reform path

Economists say latest ratings send signal that country’s reform trajectory is gaining credibility

3 mins

Lower food inflation offers little relief as fuel and transport costs bite

SOUTH Africa's food inflation eased to its lowest level in 14 months in April, providing a rare positive development for consumers under pressure from rising living costs, but economists and civil society groups warn that escalating fuel and transport prices could soon reverse the gains.

2 mins

DA pushes to scrap RAF fuel levy as petrol prices surge on Middle East tensions

THE Democratic Alliance has intensified calls for the scrapping of the fuel levy used to fund the Road Accident Fund (RAF), arguing that motorists should no longer bear the cost of what it describes as a dysfunctional and corruption-ridden institution amid rising fuel prices linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East.

2 mins

Reunert reports little activity from South Africa's claimed infrastructure investment

REUNERT’S latest financial results reveal a decline in operating profit attributed to continuing low infrastructure investment in South Africa, amidst geopolitical challenges and rising commodity prices.

2 mins

Tata Motors unveils its largest ever vehicle lineup for sub-Saharan Africa markets

TATA Motors, a global commercial vehicle manufacturer active in sub-Saharan Africa since 1964, showcased its biggest lineup ever of new models for sub-Saharan Africa, at an event in Cape Town - 11 models that included 4 electric vehicles (EVs).

2 mins

South Africa and Botswana race to stop livestock disease spread

SOUTH Africa and Botswana are scrambling to contain the growing threat of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), with Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen warning that delays in implementing cross-border disease controls could place livestock industries, agricultural trade and rural livelihoods at serious risk.

2 mins

Woolworths exclusivity agreements under scrutiny as DA calls for Competition Act reform

THE Democratic Alliance (DA), which is a part of the Government of National Unity, is considering amending the Competition Act to address anti-competitive exclusivity agreements between retailers and their suppliers.

2 mins

Sizekhaya promises modern, transparent new era for South Africa's national lottery

SOUTH Africa's incoming National Lottery operator, Sizekhaya Holdings, has pledged to modernise and expand the country’s lottery system while strengthening transparency, accessibility and public trust ahead of officially taking over operations on 1 June.

2 mins

Quantum Foods warns of tough second half due to impacts from Middle East conflict

QUANTUM Foods Holdings, the integrated poultry group, has warned of a significantly more challenging second half due to the conflict in the Middle East and its adverse impact on global supply chains.

2 mins

Winning the war on crime: The first step to jobs, growth and a better life

WHEN the South African Police Service (SAPS) released its latest crime statistics, workers listened. Not for headlines, but because crime is our daily reality.

4 mins

Inflation rate and oil overshadow financial markets

FINANCIAL markets across the globe once again last week moved weaker with a lot of uncertainty. Monthly reports from the IMF, UN, OECD and other research engines are all in agreement.

3 mins

The Lehohla Ledger: Walter and Albertina Sisulu at the University of Witwatersrand

THIS afternoon at the University of the Witwatersrand, as we convene to honor the lives and legacies of Ntate Walter and Mama Albertina Sisulu, we do not merely gather for a commemorative exercise.

4 mins

Stormers bringing back Bok wing

CHESLIN Kolbe is coming home to the Stormers.

1 mins

Crinums stars crush a Kingdom to remain unbeaten

THE Free State Crinums picked up where they left off in the opening week of the Telkom Netball League, crushing bottom side the KZN Kingdom Stars 68-34 yesterday after also taming the Jaguars on the opening weekend of Power Week 2 at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg.

2 mins

Bok Women target discipline after rout

THE Springbok Women may have opened their Rugby Africa Women's Cup campaign with a commanding 64-5 victory over Madagascar in Nairobi on Saturday, but assistant coach Franzel September insists there is still room for improvement ahead of their next outing against Uganda.

2 mins

Howells Grade 1 accolade

THE Jackpot of Graded features at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday culminated in six-year-old Asiye Phambili becoming the most deserved Gr 1 winner for the last season or two under an outstanding ride by Sean Veale in the SA Fillies Sprint.

4 mins

Haute Couture needs no dressing up

HOLLYWOODBETS Scottsville patrons were treated to a brilliant display of jockeyship and courageous horses on Saturday with all nine races highly contested, none more so than the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint Brought to you by The Witness and Gr1 Gold Medallion, the headline features on the day.

3 mins

World Cup fever offers New York’s immigrant communities hope

WORLD Cup fever is beginning to hit New York’s immigrant communities where wariness of the Trump administration’s deportation crackdown has weighed on foot traffic.

3 mins

Zwane hails Usuthu and Co’s league revival

AMAZULU FC head coach Arthur Zwane believes football in KwaZulu-Natal is finally moving in the right direction after three clubs from the province secured places inside the Betway Premiership Top 8 this season.

1 mins

Orbit College boss Makhoye calm in relegation

ORBIT College head coach Pogiso Makhoye says the club had already prepared themselves emotionally for relegation before their decisive final-day clash against Orlando Pirates.

2 mins

Proteas Women ready for ultimate test

PROTEAS Women’s captain Laura Wolvaardt believes her team has just the right amount of youth and experience to go all the way at next month's ICC T20 Women's World Cup in the UK.

2 mins

Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Kaze submitting technical reports

KAIZER Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze says the club has laid a solid foundation for next season, with the final decision on their future set to be made by management after season-end assessments.

2 mins

Read all Stories from The Mercury

The Mercury Description:

Publisher: Independent-Media-Newspapers

Category: Newspaper

Language: English

Frequency: Daily

The Mercury is positioned to appeal to achievers with a high disposable income, and the upwardly mobile. This includes professionals, business people, opinion makers, political leaders, public servants, and academics as well as sports and arts enthusiasts. Its readers recognise that they should be plugged into their city, province and country and indeed the world to inform their decision-making and achieve success. The newspaper’s crisp and credible reporting ensures that readers get a “head start” every morning. KwaZulu-Natal's leading daily newspaper & media partners of The Sharks, published since 1852