Author: The Bulrushes
The struggling South African Post Office (SAPO) has received a much-needed lifeline – a massive cash injection of R381 million from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) – that will help save thousands of jobs. Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth formally on Sunday, 18 May 2025, anounced the implementation of the signed agreement between SAPO and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). The minister said the agreement was aimed at “preserving nearly 6 000 jobs and supporting the revitalisation of one of the country’s most critical state-owned entities”. Minister Meth added: “Through the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS), the UIF will…
Tiger Brands has entered into a sale of business agreement to facilitate the Company’s exit from its deciduous canned fruit business, Langeberg and Ashton Foods. The sale, which comes five years after Tiger Brands announced its intended exit, is to a newly formed company (Newco) established by a capable and committed consortium comprised of parties with a vested interest in the sustainability of Langeberg and Ashton Foods and a cooperative of fruit growers in the Ashton area (the Consortium) who bring agricultural sector expertise and insights. Based in Ashton in the Western Cape, the iconic business provides employment to more…
Amid rising criticism, Higher Education and Training Minister Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane has reversed the appointment of the Chairpersons of the Boards of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). Earlier this week, a leaked list of appointments to SETA boards revealed shocking political patronage, with African National Congress (ANC) loyalists, including party chairman and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe’s son, Buyambo Mantashe, and a former KwaZulu-Natal premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, handed key positions. However, late on Thursday, (15 May 2025), Minister Nkabane withdrew the controversial appointments. “I have taken the decision to withdraw previous appointments in response to public concerns,” Minister Nkabane said. “Further, I take this decision in the interest of…
Online shoppers in the Randburg area may have experienced a disruption in speedy deliveries after the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) swooped on the delivery bikers. Commenting on the raid on Tuesday, (13 May 2025), the JMPD said it “intensified ongoing operations in the Rosebank area to address concerns related to illegal and unsafe delivery bike activities”. The JMDP added: “These efforts are part of a broader citywide initiative to ensure traffic safety, compliance with municipal bylaws, and the protection of pedestrians and motorists. “Recent observations highlight a sharp increase in delivery bikes operating unlawfully, often obstructing traffic and pavements,…
A settlement offer has been made as part of a possible overall resolution of the listeriosis class action taken against Tiger Brands. In a statement made available to The Bulrushes on Monday, (12 May 2025), Tiger Brands confirmed that: “The attorneys representing its lead reinsurer (QBE Insurance Group Limited) have presented a settlement offer to the plaintiffs’ attorneys as part of a road-map to a possible overall resolution of the listeriosis class action”. “The lead reinsurer, having primary conduct of the defence of the class action against Tiger Brands, has with Tiger Brands’ support and agreement authorised the insurers’ attorneys to…
The Prudential Authority (PA) has announced that it notes the recent ruling by Judge J Ncube in the Pietermaritzburg High Court and has launched an application for leave to appeal the decision. On Friday, (9 May 2025), the court ruled in favour of Ithala following a dispute over the powers of Johan Kruger, the Repayment Administrator (RA), who has taken over the operations of the bank following his appointment by the PA pending a liquidation process, which is a separate matter pending in court. The PA said the RA will also lodge an appeal against the judgment. “It is important…
The first group of white people who have left South Africa to become refugees in the United States is expected to arrive in Washington, D.C. today. The 49 Afrikaners, who included men, women, and children, departed from OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday, (11 May 2025) for the U.S. via Dakar, Senegal. The move came after reports said the U.S. government has officially granted 54 Afrikaner South Africans, white descendants of mainly Dutch colonisers, refugee status. While checking in ahead of their departure, the “refugees” who are allegedly victims of discrimination by the SA government declined interviews. Although the South…
Huawei Consumer Business Group South Africa has netted a significant partnership with Mamelodi Sundowns FC, one of Africa’s most celebrated football teams. As the Official Mobile Partner, Huawei on Friday, (4 April 2025), said it was committed to bringing game-changing innovation to the club, enhancing performance both on and off the pitch. Huawei said that by leveraging its technological expertise, Mamelodi Sundowns FC was poised to elevate their game, using advanced tools and analytics to maintain its competitive edge. Huawei said this collaboration exemplifies a shared commitment to innovation, excellence, and the pursuit of greatness, which promises to deliver unparalleled…
The Lilongwe Magistrate Court in Malawi has ruled that fugitives Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary – must be extradited to South Africa to face charges of fraud, money laundering, and corruption. The Chief Resident Magistrate Judge Patrick Chirwa made the ruling today, Wednesday,(12 March 2025). ommenting on the matter the South African government said it welcomed the ruling. “We have been informed that the pair intends to appeal the ruling,” said South Africa’s Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. “The South African government will oppose the appeal.” However, the department said it will await the outcome of the appeal…
Amid reports that President Donald Trump has cut off future funding for South Africa, which he claimed was “treating certain classes of people very badly”, President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his willingness to engage the US leader. Writing on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, (2 February 2025), President Trump said: “South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people very badly”. President Trump added: “I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!” Insisting that South Africa was a “constitutional democracy that is deeply rooted…
As 2025 unfolds, many savvy employees are already planning their next getaway, using the year’s public holidays to full advantage. And, the alignment of public holidays, weekends and leave days is particularly advantageous this year. For example, a clever option to extend your leave exists between the long weekends of April 2025, assuming you have accumulated enough leave by then and get your application in before your colleagues. “This is exactly the kind of opportunity working people should look out for,” notes Samantha Pillay, Director at ekko, “as the majority of employees only get 15 working days leave a year.”…
The Office of the Chief Justice has expressed “disappointment and disapproval” of the “racially charged comments” made by former Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane. In a statement issued on Friday, (4 October 2024), the Office of the Chief Justice said: “The Judiciary has noted with disappointment and disapproval the racially charged comments made by former Public Protector and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of Parliament, Adv Busisiwe Mkhwebane, directed at Supreme Court of Appeal Judge, Justice V. Ponnan”. Advocate Mkhwebane had said on X (formerly Twitter), that prominent persons, predominantly of Indian ethnicity, had positioned themselves as her persecutors. The…
John Steenhuisen the leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) has moved to dispel suggestions that disagreements over the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill, signal a possible split in the Government of National Unity (GNU). The DA, which is part of the 10-party GNU, has threatened legal action if President Ramaphosa signs the BELA Bill on Friday as previously announced. Earlier this week, The Presidency said the BELA Bill amends sections of the South African Schools Act of 1996 (SASA) and the Employment of Educators Act, 1998 (EEA) to account for developments in the education landscape since the enactment of the…
Pressure is mounting on new Justice Minister Thembi Simelane, who took a loan from a company that allegedly looted the now defunct VBS, to come clean. On Wednesday morning, Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, said in a statement: “President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted with concern media reports containing allegations of corruption against the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Ms. Thembi Simelane”. Media reports have linked Minister Simelance with monies alleged to have been received improperly from the VBS Mutual Bank during her tenure as Mayor of the Polokwane Municipality. RELATED: Department Of Justice Fires 27 Errant Staffers, EFF Calls…
Poissy – A brand-new model in the compact SUV segment: this stylish, smart, functional and affordable proposition will appeal to families and everyone with an active lifestyle. The C3 Aircross has been completely reinvented: new technical platform, robust and assertive SUV style, plus Citroën’s new styling language, and enhanced onboard comfort. Citroën Advanced Comfort suspension, C-Zen Lounge architecture with Head-Up Display incorporating latest generation infotainment and connectivity systems, plus everything else you expect from this category. Longer body; at 4.39m, it offers both driving comfort and a generously proportioned passenger space. Already a benchmark for space in row 2 in its 5-seat…
The drone market in Africa is growing steadily. It is developing into a significant enterprise as the benefits of using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for both commercial and non-commercial purposes are becoming increasingly recognised across the continent. UAVs are no longer solely used for surveillance or military applications. They are now also being utilised to solve a variety of socio-economic issues that many communities face across the African continent. Kopano Tholo, Drone Expert at ITOO Special Risks, notes that drones are an efficient method of providing logistical services and delivering supplies in remote rural areas where road infrastructure is poor.…
Soon after appearing in Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Wednesday Goodenough “Zizi” Kodwa announced his immediate resignation as Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture. Earlier on Wednesday, Kodwa and his businessman friend, Jehan McKay, handed themselves over to the authorities. The arrested pair then appeared in court, where they were each released on R30 000 bail. Kodwa and McKay – a former EOH Holdings director – are facing corruption charges amounting to R1.7 million. Kodwa was accused of accepting bribes from EOH Holdings between February 2014 and April 2015 when he was the national spokesperson for the African…
A second group of foreign nationals wanting to enter South Africa have been busted at OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) for using fake visas. Authorities intercepted 10 Bangladeshis on Saturday, (1 June 2024), when they arrived on a Qatar Airways flight. They were found to have fake visas purportedly issued by the South African High Commission in New Delhi, India. One had a fake visa supposedly issued by the Department of Home Affairs. The weekend incident follows a similar one the previous week, (25 May 2024), when immigration officials at ORTIA intercepted 28 travellers from Bangladesh over fake visas. The Bangladeshis, who…
The payment of child maintenance, and other third-party funds, have been temporarily suspended following attempts to compromise the electronic payment system. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development on Thursday said it, “would like to advise the public that the electronic payment system for third-party funds, including child maintenance, has been temporarily suspended following attempts to compromise the system”. The department added: “An investigation is currently underway to assess potential breaches to the system. “In light of this development, child maintenance beneficiaries are urged to promptly visit their nearest court with their original identity documents to receive manual payments until…
Jaqueline Legoabe, who is facing fraud charges and Contravention of the Tax Administration Act for personal and company tax of over R17 million, has had her bail extended after her matter was adjourned. The Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court adjourned her matter to early August 2024, for the outcome of legal representations and further investigations. Investigating Directorate Spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the state was expected to reply to her representations on the set date. “She is facing charges of Fraud and Contravention of the Tax Administration Act, for personal and company tax of over R17 million,” said Mamothame. “Legoabe, a director of Titan E…
Higher Education, Science, and Innovation Minister Professor Blade Nzimande has fired the board of the National Student Financial Scheme (NSAS) over delayed fund payments to students. In a terse statement late Thursday, the Department of Higher Education said Professor Nzimande had earlier in the day met with the NSFAS board. “The purpose of the meeting was to communicate the minister’s decision to dissolve the FSAS board with immediate effect and place the institution under administration,” the statement said. “The legal effect of the decision will be communicated tomorrow through the government gazette.” RELATED: Delayed April Funds: eZaga Blames NSFAS, University Of…
The Supreme Court of Appeals on Tuesday granted former president Jacob Zuma’s appeal against the IEC ruling that had sought to bar him from being on the ballot for 29 May elections. Zuma was convicted of contempt of court and sentenced to 15 months in jail. However, he had argued that even though the law prevents anyone sentenced to 12 months or more from being on the ballot he has received a remission of his sentence from President Cyril Ramaphosa. In the ruling, the Supreme Court of Appeals in Bloemfontein said: “The application for leave to appeal is granted”. The…
The high court in Pretoria on Tuesday ruled against National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s urgent interdict to prevent her arrest for allegedly accepting kickbacks from a contractor when she was minister of defence. In her ruling, Judge Sulet Potterill said acceding to Mapisa-Nqaula’s request would “open the floodgates” for suspects wanting to avoid arrest. “There are no grounds set out as to why this should be done, except that the applicant’s standing in society and her dignity.” “The NDPP [National Director of Public Prosecutions] has stated under oath that her attorney can take her to the Lyttleton Police Station and the…
The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Wednesday lost its bid in the High Court in Pretoria to have the African National Congress (ANC) cadre deployment declared unlawful. Delivering its judgment, the High Court threw out the case brought by the DA requesting it to declare that the ANC cadre deployment “unconstitutional and unlawful”. The case was argued before a full bench of judges on 23 and 24 January 2023, when judgment was reserved. In its ruling, the court stated: “It follows that there is nothing unconstitutional about a political party influencing the policy direction of a government, including the appointment of…
The auction of personal items belonging to former SA president Nelson Mandela remains in doubt because a bid to appeal the high court ruling giving the go-ahead has been launched. Last month, Mandela’s daughter Makaziwe won a two-year legal battle against the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), which took the matter to court in a bid to stop the auction. The court dismissed SAHRA’s interdict application citing a lack of evidence to support assertions that the items to be auctioned were heritage objects as envisaged in the Heritage Act. However, Sport, Arts, and Culture Minister Goodenough Zizi Kodwa on…