Author: Contributor

By Staff Writer South African led UK genetics brand DNAFit has been selected as a launch partner of Helix, the new US-based marketplace of DNA-powered products set to transform the direct-to-consumer genetic testing industry. Led by South African life sciences entrepreneur CEO Avi Lasarow, DNAFit will deliver their health and fitness products for the ground-breaking new Helix platform. While operating out of a head office in London, the company retains a strong South African connection thanks to a core team of 25 based in Johannesburg. Lasarow’s DNAFit has been chosen as health and fitness partner for Helix, placing the brand…

By Staff Writer  Ignite – the internet and communication technology services provider focused on South African SMEs –  announced on Monday that it has added LTE-A services via the Rain network to its connectivity offering. It added that SMEs can select one of three month-to-month packages, and scale data up or down as requirements change: LTE-A Starter – 55GB LTE-A for R549 per month incl. VAT LTE-A Advanced – 85GB LTE-A for R799 per month incl. VAT LTE-A Premium – 120GB LTE-A for R999 per month incl. VAT Ignite’s first 250 LTE-A customers will pay just R999 for installation and…

By Staff Writer The Nigerian Senate has withdrawn a statement that largely exonerated Africa’s biggest mobile phone giant MTN of accusations of illegally repatriating $14 billion. The report, presented to the Nigerian Senate was almost immediately sent back for further work because it did not capture possible infractions by all stakeholders, Reuters news agency reported and citing two people familiar with the matter said. The Nigerian parliament decided last September to investigate whether MTN unlawfully repatriated $13.92 billion from Nigeria between 2006 and 2016. Reuters reported that senators did not understand why the report largely condemned the CBN while MTN…

By Staff Writer The National Treasury has recommended that Eskom’s former CEO Brian Molefe, along with suspended CFO Anoj Singh and Matshela Koko, be investigated for corruption, a report in the City Press revealed. According to the report a recommendation for investigation is contained in an explosive National Treasury report, which references the #GuptaLeaks extensively. The Treasury report also recommends that the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer “appoint a forensic audit firm and report the matter to law enforcement agencies” to investigate several issues. The report has been sent to Parliament’s standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) as well…

By Staff Writer Dreadful minister Faith Muthambi flew 30 members of her family and friends to Cape Town for her budget speech in parliament in May. The Sunday Times reported that Muthambi treated family and friends to a luxury junket at huge expense to the taxpayer just two months after being moved to the public service and administration portfolio from communications department. The newspaper reveals that Muthambi: Flew several family members, including her mother, aunt, sister, and son, to Cape Town for her budget vote speech in parliament in May. Also in the entourage was disgraced former SABC board chairwoman…

By Staff Writer Communications Minister Ayanda Dlodlo allegedly tried to save Pakamile Pongwana, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA), from facing serious charges, including sexual harassment, according to a City Press report. The newspaper said Dlodlo wanted to hire Pongwana as her director-general. In a request to the country’s communications watchdog, Dlodlo asked that Pongwana to be seconded to her department to fill a position of director-general that has been vacant for some time. On July 6, ICASA announced that Pongwana was placed on precautionary suspension pending an internal disciplinary process. The regulator didn’t disclose…

By Staff Writer The author of the social media post purported to show a racist and offensive mail written by a MiWay staff member, has apologised, the short-term insurer announced on Friday. The writer of the post, former MiWay client Mondli Madlala, was identified in an independent forensic investigation into the incident. After having a claim legitimately rejected by MiWay and subsequently by the Ombudsman for Short-term Insurance, he used a MiWay mail to generate a false and defamatory mail containing racist remarks and making false allegations about MiWay’s claims handling policies. In a meeting yesterday with MiWay CEO, René…

By Staff Writer Telkom on Friday announced an overhaul of its fixed line product offering with the launch of Unlimited Home Internet and voice plans. For the first time, fixed line consumers are now able to choose their internet speeds and get uncapped data and unlimited anytime Telkom voice calls for free. This includes calls to over 6 million Telkom fixed and mobile numbers, and discounted calls to the top 30 international destinations. In addition, consumers will also receive at least 1GB of mobile data per month, to stay connected while on the move. Telkom has been taking a stand…

By Staff Writer Sygnia chief executive and South Africa’s richest woman Magda Wierzycka has ended the JSE-listed company’s relationship with KPMG over the Gupta links. According to Mail & Guardian report published Friday, Sygnia fired KPMG over its alleged role in state capture. The Guptas, a wealthy Indian family living in South Africa, are at the centre of state capture allegations. The Gupta Leaks revealed that KPMG South Africa failed to raise alarms when businesses controlled by the Gupta family diverted about R30 million of public money to pay for a family wedding. The Gupta Leaks also exposed KPMG for its…

By Staff Writer South Africa’s business mogul Andile Ngcaba, the chairman and the majority shareholder of the ICT (Information Communications and Technologies) specialist investor Convergence Partners, has sold his stake in Dimension Data and has left the IT services group, according to Techcentral. Techcentral said Convergence Partners has sold its stake in Dimension Data Middle East and Africa for an undisclosed sum. Ngcaba served as chairman of Dimension Data’s Middle East and Africa operations. The contractual investment term with Dimension Data ended in September 2016 and Convergence Partners negotiated a “consensual exit to the investment” with the IT company. In 2004,…