A former high-profile footballer was amongst four suspects arrested in a HAWKS drug-bust in Gauteng, South Africa. Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Stefan Schutte has commended Crime Intelligence, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and Gauteng Province Anti-Gang Unit for the discovery of a clandestine drug laboratory at a Randfontein small holding. The […]

Finance Minister on Wednesday tabled the Carbon Tax Bill in Parliament, giving effect to the announcements made in the 2017 and 2018 Budget statements. Tabling the bill, Mboweni stated that “climate change poses the greatest threat facing humankind, and South Africa intends to play its role in the world as part of the global effort to […]

The Democratic Alliance (DA) laid criminal charges against the EFF’s Julius Malema, Floyd Shivambu and the party itself on Thursday. This followed allegations that the EFF used corrupt means to receive R1.8 million from VBS Mutual Bank, said the DA. “Reports indicate that monies syphoned from the bank were allegedly funnelled through companies owned by […]

In a landmark judgment on Thursday morning, the North Gauteng High Court ruled that the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) has to obtain “full and informed” consent from communities under customary law before granting mining rights to companies. Members of the Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC) and lawyers from Richard Spoor Attorneys celebrated outside the courtroom […]

The Department of Public Enterprises is considering the possibility of introducing a strategic equity partner for South African Airways (SAA), says the Parliamentary Communication Services. Officials from the department told the Standing and Select Committees on Appropriations that despite previous bail-outs for SAA, including the R5 billion under consideration, the airline will still be insolvent. […]

The Rand strengthened Thursday afternoon after South Africa’s Reserve Bank (SARB) announced it is increasing its benchmark lending rate by 25 basis points in a close call, putting repo at 6.75 %. The new interest rates will take effect from 23 November 2018, with the prime lending rate being 10.25% SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago said that while […]

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Loss-making South African arms maker Denel has a problem as it fights to survive. Its potential saviour is Saudi Arabia, now drawing fierce criticism following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. But after being mismanaged for years and tainted by a far-reaching influence-peddling scandal, state-owned Denel now needs the kind of help […]

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s economic recovery plans face serious constraints with growing debt of state firms domestically and capital outflows as a result of global trade tensions, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Monday. “Some of the initial optimism has dissipated as growth remains stuck in low gear and reform implementation has faced constraints,” […]

After the fiasco for South Africans living or travelling abroad during the last General Election, it was hoped that the SA government would make it easier this time around for them to exercise their legal right and cast their vote for a country that many are still very passionate about. But a sugar-coated press statement […]

South Africa’s Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan appears before the Commission in Parktown, Johannesburg, to give his much-anticipated testimony. WATCH State Capture Inquiry – Pravin Gordhan, 19 November 2018 After Lunch Break:

Eskom has placed its Executive for Group Capital Division at Eskom, Abram Masango, on suspension pending an investigation into various allegations of impropriety. The allegations of impropriety against Masango relate to the Kusile Power Station project. Eskom said the suspension is with immediate effect. “Whilst we recognise his rights to be presumed innocent, however, given […]

Holidays are approaching with an estimated two million holidaymakers expected to descend on South Africa’s iconic Durban beachfront. But the once beautiful sandy beaches  are now littered with heroin needles and shards of broken glass from bottles smashed to make crack pipes… Could a multi-billion rand make-over fix things? Durban residents are concerned about the […]

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s central bank will keep interest rates on hold at its Nov. 22 meeting, according to a Reuters poll, but the number of economists forecasting a rise suggests it is a very close call. In a poll taken in the past week, 16 of 26 economists said the South African Reserve Bank […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has held discussions with the President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, in Strasbourg, France; and thanked Europe for its role in South Africa’s development. The two leaders discussed strengthening cooperation between Africa and Europe, increased youth employment and the opportunities – and challenges – of immigration into Europe. President Ramaphosa said: “We […]

Following photos being shared wildly on social media in the past week or so, showing chaos at the Johannesburg International Mail Centre, the South African Post Office (SAPO) told SAPeople yesterday that the photos were old (they were in fact from 2015!) and that “the picture looks very different currently”. We asked the Post Office […]

According to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, land reform in SA will not violate constitution. Addressing the European Parliament on Wednesday, Ramaphosa said the country will enact land reforms in adherence to the country’s constitution and with respect for the human rights of all its people. “This problem of land will be resolved through adherence […]

South Africa’s fisheries authority is in a state of crisis, paralysed by a factional war between its two most senior officials and hollowed out by a culture of corruption. This has left the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) unable to perform many of its most basic tasks, including allocating fishing rights and enforcing […]

Every country in the world wants to drive economic progress, no matter how well off they are. Just look at the Netherlands, which is paving the way to a more substantial form of living – and China, where technological innovation is at the fore. South Africa is no different. While the country has certainly moved […]

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba has (finally) resigned, the Presidency said on Tuesday. His resignation following calls from opposition parties to stand down in recent weeks over a High Court ruling which found he lied under oath. Gigaba, who was finance minister between March 2017 and February 2018, has denied any […]

If you’re a South African living in the UK or Ireland, you’re in luck if you want to get a regular South African fix – there are heaps of fantastic SA stores, laden with all the best goodies from home… from Mrs Balls Chutney to freshly made biltong and boerewors. This list has been compiled […]

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s cash-strapped power utility Eskom said on Monday the risk of nation-wide electricity outages had increased significantly due to a sharp fall in coal stockpiles at five of its power stations. “The risk of load-shedding is there and it’s rising,” said Eskom spokesman Khulu Phasiwe. “In total, we have 11 coal-fired power […]

In the world of smartphones, China has Huawei, Korea has Samsung, while the United States of America has Apple. And soon South Africa will have Mara! Long-time dark horse Africa is now taking centre stage with the announcement of the Mara phone project that is touted to take the smartphone business by storm. Developed by […]

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s Discovery Ltd said on Thursday it will issue about 10.9 million new shares to qualifying investors in order to raise R1.85 billion ($132 million) to help fund an acquisition of a stake and assets in soon to be launched Discovery bank. Discovery, which offers health, life and car insurance, was granted […]

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s anti-corruption watchdog, the Public Protector, said on Thursday that it was investigating Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, a close ally of President Cyril Ramaphosa, for allegedly abusing his powers during his time as finance minister. The watchdog said it was looking into allegations that Gordhan wrongly approved an early retirement package […]

JOHANNESBURG – Credit Suisse has pulled out of South Africa after more than a decade as part of Chief Executive Tidjane Thiam’s bank-wide revamp, three sources with knowledge of the matter said. Wealthy South Africans and a few blue chip SA companies will continue to benefit from Credit Suisse’s services from overseas offices. Switzerland’s second […]