Author: Staff Writer

The Gauteng Health Department has paid more than R3 million to four suspended Tembisa Hospital officials implicated in corrupt contracts, the same contracts whistleblower Babita Deokaran tried to stop before her assassination. This revelation came to light in a written response by Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko to questions posed by DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, Jack Bloom, in the provincial legislature. Disciplinary Outcomes and Suspension Payouts Of the nine officials implicated in the scandal, three were dismissed following disciplinary processes, three resigned before their hearings concluded, two retired, and one’s contract expired. The officials faced charges of gross misconduct, including failure to comply with supply…

The adventurous new derivative of Volvo’s award-winning electric crossover is coming soon, bringing rugged design, all-wheel drive and zero emissions. Following the local release of the range-topping EX90, the brand’s all-electric seven-seater, Volvo Car South Africa is pleased to announce the imminent arrival of the new EX30 Cross Country, the rugged derivative of the award-winning EX30. With a spirit of adventure, the EX30 Cross Country brings an iconic name back to the Volvo lineup. First introduced in 1997 on the V70, the Cross Country treatment adds rugged and adventurous styling, along with updates to the marque’s refined vehicles. With an increased ride…

As global demand for green hydrogen grows, South Africa is equipping its youth with cutting-edge skills to lead the clean energy revolution. The Chemical Industries Education & Training Authority (CHIETA) made history at the African Green Hydrogen Summit 2025 by unveiling the country’s first-ever NQF-aligned green hydrogen qualifications, a critical step in aligning education with emerging energy opportunities. During a high-level panel on “Jobs & Skills of the Green Hydrogen Economy,” Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, officially launched the groundbreaking qualifications. “These qualifications are more than a policy milestone, they’re a youth development breakthrough,” said the…

Once the domain of elite spies and con artists, social engineering is now in the hands of anyone with an internet connection – and AI is the accomplice. Supercharged by generative tools and deepfake technology, today’s social engineering attacks are no longer sloppy phishing attempts. They’re targeted, psychologically precise, and frighteningly scalable. Welcome to Social Engineering 2.0, where the manipulators don’t need to know you personally. Their AI already does. Deception at machine levels Social engineering works because it bypasses firewalls and technical defences. It attacks human trust. From fake bank alerts to long-lost Nigerian princes, these scams have traditionally…

As South Africa weighs the promise of satellite internet, telecommunications experts are warning that it could widen, instead of close, the digital divide. Despite global praise for services like Starlink, critics say the technology is too expensive, too limited, and too disconnected from the realities of rural life in South Africa. Among them is Sean Shipalana, a leading voice in infrastructure development, who warns that the excitement around satellite risks overshadowing real, workable solutions. “Satellite internet is not a solution for the rural poor. It’s a solution for the wealthy, for remote tourist lodges, and for niche cases. We cannot…

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has exposed shocking revelations that the South African Police Service (SAPS) spent R131.5 million on salaries for 618 officers on paid sick leave for over six months during the 2023/2024 financial year. The party is demanding immediate action from Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to investigate this misuse of public funds. In response to a parliamentary question, Minister Mchunu confirmed the staggering costs of extended sick leave within SAPS. The DA warns this irresponsible expenditure comes at a time when the police service faces severe operational challenges and rising crime rates, diverting critical resources from frontline policing.…

Diversified financial services group Alexforbes has established a R5 billion fund to invest in critical South African infrastructure projects, aiming to generate strong returns while supporting economic growth, reports the Sunday Times. The initiative comes as the government plans to spend over R1 trillion on infrastructure over the next three years to revitalize key sectors. Gyongyi King, Chief Investment Officer at Alexforbes Investments, told the Sunday Times that the fund will target renewable energy, affordable housing, water, transport, and ICT infrastructure. “Without good ports, stable electricity, water, housing, and roads, we cannot grow,” she said. The company has already committed…

South Africa’s newly approved National Labour Migration Policy (NLMP), which proposes quotas limiting foreign workers in certain sectors, is likely to face legal challenges, with experts warning that similar measures have previously been ruled unconstitutional, reports the Sunday Times. The policy, approved by Cabinet last month, aims to enforce stricter controls on foreign employment but may clash with existing constitutional protections. Labour law specialists argue that imposing employment quotas has already been deemed unlawful by the Constitutional Court. Imraan Mohamed, Director of Employment Law at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH), noted that while the government avoids calling them “quotas” under employment…

MultiChoice is testing weekly subscription plans in Uganda, aiming to ease financial pressure on customers struggling with monthly payments. If successful, the pay-TV giant may expand the model to other African markets as it fights to retain subscribers amid economic challenges, according to the Sunday Times. The company, which operates in 16 African countries, has seen its subscriber base shrink by 1.2 million in the past year, dropping to 14.5 million. Half of those losses came from South Africa, where high unemployment and rising living costs have forced households to cut discretionary spending, including DStv subscriptions. MultiChoice Group CEO Calvo…

South African mobile operators have told Parliament they would welcome Elon Musk’s Starlink as a competitor if the satellite internet provider enters the local market. However, they emphasized the need for regulatory fairness and highlighted ongoing industry challenges such as load-shedding, vandalism, and policy uncertainty, according to the Sunday Times. During a briefing with Parliament’s portfolio committee on communications and digital technologies, major players including Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom, and Rain discussed the state of the telecommunications sector. MTN SA CEO Charles Molapisi confirmed that the company already partners with Starlink in other African markets and sees satellite providers…