| 2021 JULY UNREST ACCUSED TO FACE THE LAW TODAY |
Nearly five years after the July 2021 unrest, 62 accused are set to appear in the KZN High Court in Durban today on charges including terrorism, sedition and public violence. Prosecutors allege WhatsApp groups coordinated unrest that left 354 people dead and caused an estimated R40 billion to R50 billion in economic damage, making it one of South Africa's most significant criminal prosecutions.
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| BUSINESS LEADS FROM THE FRONT TO RECLAIM ROBERTS ROAD BRIDGE |
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More than 160 people offered their time to repaint the Roberts Road bridge on Friday in an outpouring of Mandela Day volunteerism.
More than 160 volunteers joined KPCA Group's Mandela Day Paint-a-thon, demonstrating how business partnerships can help restore public spaces while encouraging long-term civic pride. Lead sponsors Halls Retail and Talisman PMB backed the campaign, which transformed more than 1.1 km of railing and 126 concrete barriers of the Roberts Road bridge with a fresh coat of paint after weeks of preparation by the KPCA Action Team.
Campaign manager Lara Edmonds urged local businesses to support ongoing clean-up and beautification projects, saying every day should reflect the Mandela Day spirit of service. Additional sponsors included Bluff Meat Supply, Coffee Box, Foodpak, AET Security Services and Muirheads Hiring, whose contributions helped ensure the community initiative's success.
Click here for a short video of the proceedings. |
| REMINDER: AGM TOMORROW TO VOTE ON BUSINESS FIGHTING CRIME END |
A quick reminder that the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business is hosting its 24th Annual General Meeting tomorrow, 21 July, at 5.30pm at its premises. Members who can attend are to please confirm attendance. Members are also reminded that the BFC dissolution process forms part of the meeting agenda. To point out the obvious, member participation helps ensure important chamber decisions can be made. If needed, please contact Heidi on (033) 345 2747 or at pmcb@pmcb.org.za for the agenda, financial statements and board nomination details.
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1969: The South African invention of Pratley Putty, used aboard Apollo 11, landed on the Moon with astronauts Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin.
Elsewhere, in 1944, German military leaders attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler.
Those with a penchant for moving pieces on a chequered board can celebrate International Chess Day. |
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MIGRANT EXODUS LEAVES THOUSANDS OF LOW-PAID JOBS IN LIMBO
South Africa's economy could face fresh pressure as anti-migrant protests trigger the departure of thousands of foreign workers, leaving critical labour shortages across several industries. Authorities have processed about 67 000 migrants for deportation or voluntary repatriation, while Zimbabwe says nearly 100 000 of its citizens have returned home since late May.
Economists warn the exodus will not automatically reduce South Africa's 32.9% unemployment rate, as many migrants occupy low-paid jobs that locals are reluctant to take. These include domestic work, child-minding, e-hailing driving, motorcycle delivery services, textile and clothing factory production, and seasonal manual labour. Employers cite low wages, long hours, demanding conditions and high staff turnover as key reasons vacancies remain difficult to fill. Foreign workers are estimated at 3.9 million, while remittances reached a record R19.4 billion in 2024. (Source: Bloomberg)
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INFLATIONARY PRESSURES POINT TO THURSDAY INTEREST RATE HIKE
The South African Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee is widely expected to consider a second interest rate increase of 2026 when it meets this week, following a rise in inflation to 4.5% in May, close to the midpoint of its 3%-6% target range. Governor Lesetja Kganyago will announce the decision on Thursday, with economists divided over whether another 25-basis-point hike is needed. A further increase would raise borrowing costs for households and businesses but could help contain inflation expectations and reinforce the central bank's commitment to long-term price stability. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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... AS DOUBLE DISEASE WHAMMY TO MAKE MEAT MORE EXPENSIVE
Consumers could soon pay more for bacon, pork and other meat products as African swine fever (ASF) and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) reduce livestock supplies. The pork industry says ASF has resulted in the loss of more than 160,000 pigs since outbreaks intensified, while FMD has disrupted cattle production and meat exports. Producers warn that tighter supplies and rising production costs will place upward pressure on retail prices in the coming months. The industry says stronger biosecurity measures and rapid disease containment are essential to protect farmers, stabilise supplies and curb further food price inflation. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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SASSA FIRES 4 OVER R33 MILLION GRANTS FRAUD SCHEME
The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has dismissed four officials from its Nebo Local Office in Limpopo after they were found guilty of participating in a R33 million social grants fraud scheme. An internal investigation found the employees manipulated the grants system in collaboration with external syndicates, diverting funds intended for vulnerable beneficiaries. Their appeals against dismissal were rejected, with Sassa citing the seriousness of the misconduct. The agency says it is tightening internal controls, enhancing monitoring and expanding ethics training as part of a zero-tolerance approach to fraud, corruption and the protection of public funds. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity)
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PRIVATE AMBULANCES WANT MORE MEDICAL AID BARGAINING POWER
Private ambulance operators are urging competition authorities to allow collective negotiations with medical schemes, arguing the current rules threaten the sustainability of independent emergency medical services. Operators say individual bargaining leaves smaller providers with little leverage, resulting in reimbursement rates that fail to cover rising operating costs. They warn that continued financial pressure could reduce service availability, particularly in underserved areas. The industry believes limited exemptions for collective bargaining would help ensure fairer funding arrangements, preserve competition among providers and safeguard patients' access to reliable emergency medical care without undermining broader competition principles. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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FLYSAFAIR GROWTH PLANS FLY INTO OPERATIONAL HEADWINDS
FlySafair aims to increase capacity after carrying more than six million passengers annually and maintaining a domestic market share of about 60%, but growth is being constrained by operational challenges. The airline says air traffic management delays, airport infrastructure bottlenecks and volatile jet fuel prices - which account for 30%-40% of operating costs - are hampering expansion plans. While additional flights are planned on high-demand routes, FlySafair warns that resolving these constraints is essential to improving reliability, increasing seat capacity and supporting South Africa's tourism and business travel sectors. (SOURCE: News24)
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SAPPI JOINS GLOBAL CLUB TO RID FASHION OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS
Sappi has joined the ZDHC Foundation's Roadmap to Zero programme, which brings together more than 380 contributors, including leading fashion brands, retailers and suppliers, to eliminate hazardous chemicals from textile production. Through its Sappi Verve brand, the company supplies dissolving wood pulp used to produce renewable cellulosic fibres such as viscose and lyocell. Sappi operates 11 manufacturing facilities across seven countries, with a production capacity of about 1.4 million tonnes of dissolving wood pulp a year. The partnership will strengthen chemical management, water stewardship and supply chain transparency across the global fashion industry. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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RUSSIAN IMPORTS ADD MORE WOES TO LOCAL ANTHRACITE SECTOR
South Africa is importing significant volumes of anthracite from Russia despite local producers facing mounting financial pressure. In 2024, the country imported about 212 400 tonnes of anthracite worth US$52.9 million (about R950 million), with Russia supplying 108 000 tonnes valued at US$14.6 million, making it the second-largest source after the US. .Industry stakeholders warn that rising imports, coupled with high operating costs and weak domestic demand, are threatening jobs and the survival of local anthracite mines, particularly in KZN. They are calling for policy support to improve competitiveness and strengthen South Africa's long-term supply security. (SOURCE: News24)
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ESCALATING HORMUZ TENSIONS SPARK GLOBAL ECONOMY RISKS
Fears of a wider conflict between the US and Iran are mounting after six days of escalating attacks, with Tehran refusing to ease its stance on the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts estimate a 55% chance of further escalation within a month, raising concerns over global energy supplies. Oil flows through the strategic waterway have fallen from about 9.4 million to 5.5 million barrels a day, while Brent crude climbed 11% this week to around $84 a barrel. Markets fear prolonged disruption could fuel higher energy costs, inflation and global economic uncertainty. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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TECH STOCKS BATTERED IN GLOBAL CHIP SELL-OFF
Technology shares came under renewed pressure as concerns over inflated artificial intelligence valuations triggered a global selloff in semiconductor stocks. Nasdaq 100 futures fell 2%, while S&P 500 futures dropped 1% and a leading semiconductor exchange-traded fund declined 4.4% in pre-market trading. Taiwan's stock market slipped into technical correction territory, while European chipmakers also posted losses of more than 4%. Meanwhile, Bitcoin fell 2% to $62,790, Brent crude traded just below $85 a barrel, and investors sought safer assets as geopolitical tensions and earnings uncertainty dampened market sentiment. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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A1 TRICKSTERS BRING HEARTBREAK AS ROMANCE SCAMS TOP R17 TRILLION
Artificial intelligence is accelerating the rise of sophisticated romance scams, with cybercriminals using AI-generated photos, cloned voices and convincing messages to deceive victims. The Global Anti-Scam Alliance estimates consumers lost more than US$1.03 trillion (about R17 trilion) in scams worldwide in 2025, while romance fraud remains among the most financially damaging. In the US alone, reported romance scam losses exceeded US$690 million in 2025, with actual losses believed to be far higher due to underreporting. Security experts warn that generative AI makes fake identities harder to detect, highlighting the need for greater vigilance, identity verification and scepticism when forming online relationships. (SOURCE: AP)
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We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance.
Harrison Ford |
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