Free State Targets Surgical Backlogs
The three-day Cataract Marathon, held over the weekend at Boitumelo Regional Hospital in Kroonstad, was a great success, with over 100 patients receiving treatment.
Screening was conducted last week Friday with cataract operations scheduled for Saturday and Su...
With the country's anti-corruption fight reflecting a worrying trend, former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo and the South African Council of Churches (SACC) have voiced their widespread condemnation of South Africa's endemic graft, which has now reached critical crisis levels.
This comes on the back of a high number of high-profile corruption-related arrests implicating some of the country's leading political figures.
The SACC stated that pastors who live and show off their lavish lifestyles at the expense of poor congregants are no different from corrupt politicians.
This is as the SACC continues to reflect on the scourge as part of its National Anti-Corruption conference currently under way in Johannesburg. Opposition political parties and analysts have weighed in on the country's dismal attempts at reigning in the scourge.
Zondo, speaking during his address to the conference's delegates on Wednesday, indicated that the bending of rules to favour certain important people was at the heart of the country's corruption problem.
"We bend the rules when we have done something wrong because that has happened when it should not have happened. The church must be the one that leads us. It must tell the rest of us not to bend the rules. The rules apply to everybody," he stated.
Zondo also questioned the resolution taken by the ANC in 2007 to disband the Scorpions in favour of the Hawks, currently tasked with investigating high-profile cases.
The Activists and Citizens Forum, through its spokesperson, Denis Bloem, said corruption will be hard to beat as long as the ANC still holds power.
"The country believed that under former president Jacob Zuma's administration, corruption was at its peak. However, the country was mistaken. Corruption is worse now and out of control under President Cyril Ramaphosa's administration.
"The reason why there is no end to corruption is that the government is infiltrated by criminals masquerading as political leaders. Meanwhile, they are the biggest thieves.
"General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi told the country a few weeks ago that the South African Police Service is infiltrated by criminal syndicates and that some politicians are also on the payroll of these syndicates. Activists and Citizens Forum believe that corruption will not end as long as the ANC is in power. We know this so-called Government of National Unity is just a rubber stamp for the ANC," said Bloem.
Reflecting on the excessive levels of corruption and fraud in the country, Rise Mzansi national spokesperson, Mabine Seabe, said the country's problems are not new, adding that all societies are affected by corruption.
"Corruption is not a recent phenomenon, nor is it unique to a particular sector of society. What is of alarming concern is that it has taken hold of every aspect of life, where almost every service requires or can be extracted through corrupt means. The Zondo Commission illustrated the industrial nature of corruption with both the private and public sectors lubricating corrupt actions," he said.
As for the recent bombshell by KZN Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi, which has implicated senior politicians and the SAPS, Seabe welcomed the recently established Judicial Commission of Inquiry to look into the criminal elements in the country's political elite and the police.
"Moreover, the allegations made by Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi point to a nexus between powerful elites and organised crime.
"We believe that the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry and Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee to probe Mkhwanazi's allegations are well-placed to probe the alleged collapse and capture of South Africa’s safety, security, and justice apparatus; hold those responsible accountable; and recommend the necessary reforms," Seabe added.
Attempts to get a comment from the ANC, which has been accused of failing to root out corruption among its leaders, were unsuccessful at the time of going to print.
However, this week, ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, addressed the recent developments affecting Senzo Mchunu during the ANC’s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting with the Provincial Executive Committee, saying the party welcomed Ramaphosa's decision to establish a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the allegations against Mchunu.
"Senzo Mchunu has an opportunity now, in terms of the audi alteram partem principle, to also present his side of the story. Once we listen to that, it is also evaluated in terms of facts by a competent, independent judge, and a judicial commission, like the president appointed, then we can pass judgment," he said.
Eskom has been ordered to pay close to R1 billion to French nuclear contractor Framatome, after the Western Cape High Court found the utility refused to pay damages after it cancelled a contract to install steam generators at Koeberg nuclear power station.
The ruling stems from a 2014 agreement Eskom originally concluded with Areva, which was later ceded to Framatome. The deal covered the design, manufacture and installation of six replacement steam generators – three for each unit at Koeberg.
Framatome, which has been in operation for 60 years, was contracted to supply and install two sets of three replacement steam generators, one set to be installed in each of the reactor buildings at units 1 and 2 at Koeberg during separate planned outages of these units.
These installations were meant to take place during a scheduled maintenance outage, which kept getting postponed. Two months after the outage was finally scheduled to happen, “Eskom informed Framatome that it would not be continuing with the steam generator replacement,” the judgement said.
As a result of the cancellation of the deal, Eskom’s project manager “acknowledged that Eskom’s decision to postpone the work constituted a compensation event,” the judgment read.
Although the project manager had acknowledged that Eskom’s cancellation triggered compensation, he determined that the value of compensation was nil.
The entire matter then went to arbitration, where the adjudicator ordered that Eskom must pay compensation for cancelling the contract, including for storing equipment, as well as implementation activities, which work had been wasted by Eskom delaying the date of the planned maintenance outage.
After some back and forth between the parties and the adjudicator, during which the parties didn’t agree on costs, “Eskom made it clear that it had no intention of providing the adjudicator with any further information or participating any further in the adjudication process,” the ruling read.
As a result, the adjudicator issued a determination of the damages amount, and Eskom decided to take the issue to the Western Cape High Court, arguing that the amount in damages was not determined by the date it was due – voiding his determination.
In defending Eskom’s legal action, Framatome argued that none of the arbitration proceedings were improper, nor was the adjudicator abusing his power.
The Judge ruled that “there is no basis to set aside the decisions of the adjudicator which are valid and binding. In terms of the parties’ contract Eskom was obliged to comply therewith.”
Eskom, it found, had to comply with its contractual obligations. The court found that Framatome was entitled to the full amount it sought.
In addition to the R1bn payment, Eskom had to pay interest and costs.
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has announced its intention to terminate the services of Aviation Coordination Services (ACS), the third-party operator responsible for hold baggage screening at O.R. Tambo International Airport.
This comes after a passenger passed through security at O.R. Tambo International Airport carrying two training hand grenades in their checked baggage, which were only discovered upon arrival at Bole International Airport in Ethiopia.
In a statement issued to the media on Thursday, ACSA confirmed that it "was formally notified of the incident by Ethiopian Airlines, in line with international aviation protocols, after the items were detected during reverse baggage screening upon arrival".
"In accordance with national regulatory procedures, ACSA subsequently reported the matter to the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA"
ACSA confirmed that the breach occurred in the Hold Baggage Screening area managed by Aviation Coordination Services (ACS), and announced they have made the decision to terminate ACS's services on the grounds that ACS has no legal basis or contract to carry out HBS services.
"ACSA made the decision to terminate ACS's services on the grounds that ACS has no legal basis or contract to carry out HBS services. Moreover, ACS is operating contrary to public procurement legislation.
"Notwithstanding these legal issues, ACS is responsible for this lapse in security and has also accepted liability for the incident. Further, ACS instituted disciplinary proceedings against the employee responsible for the security breach.
Amber Lee Hughes has admitted to killing her lover's four-year-old daughter; however, she maintains that she did not rape the child.
Hughes, a preschool teacher, was arrested after Nada-Jane Challita's body was found floating in a tub of water in her Glenvista home in January 2023.
Hughes allegedly developed a romantic relationship with the girl’s father in 2021, and she moved in with them. During her stay, their relationship was allegedly marked by frequent altercations.
The accused allegedly threatened to harm the child during their disputes, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) stated.
The NPA said on one incident when the father left the accused with the deceased, the accused allegedly raped the deceased by inserting an unknown object in her private parts.
"It is also alleged that she drowned her and cut both her wrists. The deceased’s lifeless body was later found floating in the bathtub," the NPA said.
During her last court appearance, Hughes pleaded not guilty to the charges of rape and murder.
However, last week, she made a late change to her legal team. Hughes further stated that she wanted to make admissions, including that she killed the little girl.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has suspended South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv Andrew Chauke, with immediate effect, following claims that threaten the credibility of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and his questionable conduct in office.
The presidency’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya confirmed this in a statement on Monday evening that he would be on suspension pending an inquiry into Chauke’s fitness to hold office.
Magwenya said Ramaphosa had asked Chauke to provide reasons why he should not be suspended but the president decided suspension was the correct action pending an inquiry.
“Ramaphosa has informed Adv Chauke of his decision in writing and indicated that the President and the public would benefit from an independent assessment of issues that require elucidation and on which there are disputes of fact.
“The President believes Chauke’s continued tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions – while facing serious accusations – would negatively affect the reputation of the National Prosecuting Authority as a whole,” Magwenya said.
This decision follows prolonged concerns regarding his conduct in critical cases and represented a significant step toward restoring public trust in the NPA.
According to the Presidency, the decision underscored Ramaphosa’s commitment to upholding the integrity and independence of the NPA.
The suspension would enable a fair, impartial inquiry into Chauke’s conduct—free from interference or prejudice.
Chauke has held the post since 2011, overseeing high-stakes prosecutions in Johannesburg, including high-profile cases involving corruption and serious violent crimes.
His office has played a central role in deciding which criminal matters proceed to trial.
Calls for his suspension began in August 2023, when National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi formally recommended that he be placed on precautionary suspension, citing concerns over his judgment and potential misconduct in several cases.
One of the most controversial decisions under scrutiny is Chauke’s 2014 withdrawal of major charges—including murder, kidnapping, and intimidation—against former Crime Intelligence boss Richard Mdluli.
Sasol is undergoing a major strategic shift, with the group expecting some relief from the R44.3 billion loss recorded in 2024.
The group said it is making progress on its strategic priorities outlined at its Capital Markets Day, to strengthen its business.
This includes:
A project to improve the quality of coal,
Sasol Oil receiving a net payment of R4.3 billion in a legal dispute with Transnet,
Technological improvements, and
Mothballing/closures in the US, Germany and Italy.
The group said that as part of its plan to grow and transform, Natref commissioned the first of three new low-carbon boilers in May 2025.
This is a key milestone for sustaining steam supply and supporting emissions reductions.
The group also concluded an additional 160MW of renewable energy power purchase agreements (PPA) in South Africa.
This includes a 150MW as part of the Ampli Energy joint venture with Discovery, scheduled to commence in FY28. These agreement give Sasol access to 920MW in South Africa.
Sasol is, however, one of the largest emitters in the country, as its business revolves around coal, oil and petrochemicals. Its Secunda plant its the largest single-point emitter of carbon dioxide in the world.
Regarding its financials, the group said that its earnings for the year ended 30 June 2025 should see an increase.
It said his earnings per share should increase by over 20% compared to the loss per share of R69.94 reported for the year ended 30 June 2024, which included negative remeasurement items of R88.13 per share.
The remeasurement items included substantial impairments that arose in the 2024 financial year. Overall, the group’s loss totalled R44.3 billion.
“Earnings and headline earnings per share may be impacted further by adjustments resulting from the 2025 financial year closure process, which cannot be estimated reliably at this point, said the group.
“A comprehensive trading statement will be published as soon as there is more certainty with respect to the earnings and headline earnings per share ranges.”
Looking ahead, it expects to maintain strong liquidity and strict cost management to support overall financial resilience.
It is also continuing its proactive hedging programme, as it aims to ensure effective risk management and reduce the impact of market volatility.
“Following the 90-day suspension of the US import tariffs, the US government announced on 8 July 2025 that new tariff rates will take effect on 1 August 2025,” said the group.
“Engagements with the relevant stakeholders are ongoing, and we remain focused on ensuring continuity, mitigating potential disruptions, and identifying any opportunities for Sasol.”
More details will be provided on 25 August 2025 with the release of its 2025 financial year results.
*This article was first published by Business Tech
