Author: Gugu Lourie

Retailer Woolworths announced on Monday that it was actively pursuing operational steps and considering strategic options to best mitigate the impacts of the coronavirus crisis and to ensure the appropriate robust response in this developing situation. “In recognition of the challenging circumstances, the Woolworths board, group CEO and senior executive team members have decided to forego up to 30% of their fees and salaries over the next three months,” the company informed investors on The JSE SENS news. “The savings arising from this will be used to provide additional financial support to staff who find themselves in extreme hardship as…

Shoprite, Africa’s largest food retailer, has rolled out temperature testing and mobile clinics for its employees as it continues to do everything in its power to ensure its stores remain safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Daily temperature testing as employees arrive at work and the rollout of mobile clinics follows the issuing of plastic face shields for employees last week, and stringent hygiene and sanitising protocols that have been in place across all of its stores, distribution centres and offices to keep the shopping environment virus-free. Those with high temperatures will visit the Group’s mobile clinics for a consultation and,…

Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola has appointed Justice Catherine (Kate) O’Regan as the COVID-19 Designated Judge. The government will report on a weekly basis to the former Constitutional Court Justice the particulars of those who have been traced using cell phone data. The move is aimed at finding the contacts of those who test positive for COVID-19. O’Regan’s role is to ensure that their privacy and personal information is protected, as the government works around the clock to contain the spread of the deadly global pandemic. The Regulations issued in terms of section 27(2) of the Disaster Management…

The WACS (West Africa Cable System) undersea cable, which is critical to South Africa connection with the world, has been fixed. The South African National Research and Education Network (NREN) confirmed that the cable had been repaired on Saturday morning. WACS Outage Update: We have had final confirmation that the WACS repairs are complete and everything is according to specification. This matter is now resolved from an SA NREN perspective. — SA NREN Operational Updates & Alerts (@RENAlerts) April 4, 2020 Last week Tuesday, TENET, which is the operating partner of the South African national research & education network (SA…

JSE-listed technology company Altron said on Thursday it had resolved to demerge and separately list its UK business, Bytes UK. The company said the move is aimed at unlocking value for shareholders. Bytes UK will have a secondary listing on the JSE, while Altron will remain listed on the JSE. The process is likely to take between nine to 12 months, depending on capital market conditions. If financial markets have not corrected by then, Altron may decide to hold off on Bytes UK’s demerger and its separate listing. The decision to separately list Bytes UK was made following a review…

Telkom unveiled its Big Deal for April 2020, which would make sure you don’t run out of data. 1. The SmartBroadband Wireless Unlimited All Hours & Business Hours (Uncapped LTE) The deal includes the following: Uncapped LTE (All hours) Connects up to 64 devices LTE/fibre plug and play Wi-Fi router R99 once-off activation fee R899 per month 2. The Prepaid LTE Data Bundle The deal includes the following: 5GB Anytime data 5GB Night Surfer data R99 a month Uncapped LTE SmartBroadband Wireless Unlimited All Hours & Business Hours shall be available on a 24-month deal contract and as a SIM-only offer.…

Rob Shuter, the outgoing CEO of MTN Group, was paid R42 million in special cash-settled onboarding incentive in the 2019 financial year. Shuter is leaving MTN next year at the end of his contract in March 2021. He was appointed on 13 March 2017 as a CEO of MTN, Africa and the Middle East biggest mobile phone operator. MTN revealed in its 2019 integrated annual report that on appointment Shuter was granted a cash-settled share-based payment incentive in lieu of unvested stocks or equity relinquished upon resignation from previous employment. “The value of the incentive will be determined based on…

Rob Shuter, the outgoing CEO of MTN Group, was paid R58.2 million in 2019 financial year. The total package of R58.2 million was made up of a R17.3 million salary and a R27.5 million bonus, plus more than R10 million long term incentive bonus. Shuter is leaving MTN next year at the end of his contract in March 2021. Shuter joined MTN from Vodafone in 2016 to replace Sifiso Dabengwa. He was the CEO of Vodafone’s European cluster. Shuter is also a former CEO of Vodafone Netherlands and ex-Vodacom chief financial officer. He has extensive experience in telecoms and banking…

South Africa’s car and driver’s licences will remain valid while Covid-19 measures keep licensing offices closed, and citizens from renewing their paperwork, according to new transport regulations. In terms of disaster regulations issued by transport minister Fikile Mbalula, during the lock-down, the validity period for learner’s licence, driving licence, motor vehicle licence disk, temporary permit, professional driving permit and roadworthy certificates shall be deemed to be valid. These regulations may be extended for a further grace period of 30 days from the date of expiry of a lockdown unless determined otherwise. The validity period for the renewal of a motor…

The Constitutional Court challenge launched by an undisclosed foundation which is against the 21-day lockdown has been dismissed, News24 reported. The application was seeking leave to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa’s order to implement a 21-day lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19. The application was brought by South African civil society group Hola Bon Renaissance (HBR), who applied for direct access to the Constitutional Court on the basis of urgency. News24 reported that the Constitutional Court said the case had no prospect of success and decided not to award costs. Also read: Coronavirus: South Africa to Oppose an Undisclosed Foundation…