In a striking rebuke, former President Donald Trump took to social media on Tuesday to target tech mogul Elon Musk, asserting that the billionaire owes much of his empire to substantial government subsidies.
Trump's statement, delivered through his preferred platform, accused Musk of building his wealth on taxpayer dollars, claiming that without these financial boosts, Musk would be forced to “shut it all down and head back home to South Africa.”
The scathing remarks come amid growing scrutiny over Musk's ventures, which span electric vehicles, space exploration, and satellite technology. Trump’s assertions raise an important discourse regarding the public’s investment in private innovation, particularly as America strives to maintain its competitive edge in technology and green energy.
“Rocket launches, satellites, and electric car production would grind to a halt—and the U.S. would save a fortune,” Trump added, suggesting a complete overhaul of how taxpayer funds are allocated to private enterprises.
Moreover, the former president did not shy away from mocking Musk’s backing of electric vehicle (EV) mandates, branding it “ridiculous.” Trump’s criticism highlights a broader divide in the political landscape regarding climate policies and the role of government in fostering—or hindering—economic growth in emerging sectors.
In an unexpected twist, Trump hinted that even the popular cryptocurrency Dogecoin (DOGE) should reassess its association with Musk’s taxpayer-funded ventures, suggesting a potential instability in the billionaire's business practices that could affect his influence in the digital currency sphere.
*This article was first published by IOL News
The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has officially unveiled the grant payment schedule for July 2025, providing much-needed clarity for millions of beneficiaries across the nation.
According to Sassa’s official communication, payments for older person’s grants will commence on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. This date will also encompass any grants linked to these accounts, providing a much-appreciated lifeline for many elderly recipients. Following this, disability grants are set to be distributed on Thursday, July 3, 2025, with children’s grants scheduled for Friday, July 4, 2025.
Addressing common concerns about the process, Sassa reassured beneficiaries: “There is no need to rush to withdraw cash on the first day. Once the money is in the account, it will remain there until it is needed.”
This statement aims to alleviate anxieties surrounding immediate withdrawals, as crowds at pay points and ATMs often lead to safety concerns and inconveniences. By encouraging recipients to be patient, Sassa hopes to foster a safer and more organised collection process for all involved.
Beneficiaries seeking details about their specific payment dates are urged to visit the SRD website, where they can confirm when funds will reflect in their bank accounts.
*This article was first published by IOL News
In May 2025, South Africa witnessed a notable increase in credit demand, growing by 5.0%, a figure that not only surpassed April's 4.6% but also exceeded market expectations, which were set at 3.0%.
This uptick has been attributed to the three consecutive interest rate cuts initiated in September 2024. The substantial total reduction of 175 basis points, alongside an additional 25-basis point cut on 29 May, has sparked a renewed momentum in overall credit growth, with most subcategories recording increases during the month.
However, while the demand for credit is on the rise, mortgage advances and credit for fixed asset purchases remain notably subdued.
This stagnation can be traced back to late 2023 when rising interest rates significantly hampered property demand.
Despite the recent easing of rates, high consumer debt levels, stagnant wages, and increasing living costs continue to limit a robust recovery in the property sector.
Analysts believe that the onset of improved household disposable incomes later in 2025, propelled by a positive market sentiment, could shift this narrative.
In detail, the instalment credit sales have seen a modest increase of nearly 1% month-on-month in May, following a 0.3% rise in April.
The annual growth rate has also reached an encouraging 6.2%. Over the last two years, many consumers have increasingly turned to short-term credit options to cope with escalating living expenses, as evidenced by a significant 7.0% increase in other loans and advances. This figure shows an improvement from the 6.6% growth recorded in April.
Amid these fluctuations, mortgage advances grew by just 3.5% in May, reflecting a continuation of April's subdued growth figures. Analysts remain cautiously optimistic, noting that the full advantages of the latest rate cuts are likely to emerge later this year.
With inflation trends remaining favourable, continued reductions in interest rates are expected to bolster disposable incomes, ultimately driving enhanced demand for both goods and fixed assets as 2025 advances.
As the landscape of credit evolves in South Africa, stakeholders eagerly anticipate how these economic shifts will unfold in the second quarter of 2025 and beyond, impacting not only buying behaviours but also broader market health.
*This article was first published by IOL News
In a bid to strengthen its ranks and enhance community safety, the SAPS encourages all eligible young South Africans to take advantage of this groundbreaking e-Recruitment drive.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has officially unveiled its e-Recruitment initiative, heralding a transformative approach aimed at attracting 5 500 new police officers.
The new online platform allows individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply for entry-level Police Trainee positions—a significant step towards modernising and enhancing the integrity of the recruitment process.
In a historic move, the SAPS is adopting an Electronic Recruitment System for the first time, aimed at streamlining the application process while combating common issues such as paperwork overload, corruption, and lost applications.
The implications of this shift are substantial, promising increased fairness, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and transparency.
The nationwide recruitment drive opened on 30 June 2025, with applications set to be accepted until 18 July 2025. Young men and women aged between 18 to 35, who are eager to serve their country in policing roles, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Eligibility requirements include a clean criminal record and no pending criminal cases. Interested applicants can seize this opportunity by visiting www.saps.gov.za/careers and navigating to the e-Recruitment portal.
Moreover, the SAPS is implementing a targeted recruitment initiative focusing on candidates with specific skills and qualifications.
Graduates in fields such as Law, Policing, Criminology, Law Enforcement, Forensic Investigation, and Information Technology will be particularly considered for specialised units like the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and Crime Intelligence (CI). This tailored approach signifies the SAPS's commitment to building a versatile and capable force.
In its endeavour to recruit disciplined, energetic, and dedicated individuals, the SAPS has laid out a comprehensive selection process. Potential recruits will undergo a battery of assessments to ensure they meet the standards required for a role in policing.
This includes psychometric testing, integrity assessments, physical fitness evaluations, fingerprint screening, and medical checks.
Once selected, successful recruits will enter a rigorous nine-month training programme at SAPS training academies across the nation, where they will receive a monthly stipend of R4,500. This initiative is part of the broader Project 10 000 initiative led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, which has seen the recruitment and training of over 30,000 young individuals as fully-fledged police officers in the last three years. Currently, 5,500 prospective officers are in training, with some expected to graduate in August and others in December 2025.
Importantly, the application process is entirely free, reinforcing the message that no position within the SAPS can be bought or sold, and that transparency in recruitment remains a priority.
Applications must solely be submitted through the official SAPS website portal, ensuring the integrity and efficiency of the recruitment process.
*This article was first published by IOL News
Sibusiso Ncengwa will be sentenced next Monday for participating in the killing of Sindiso Magaqa.
THE man who confessed to killing the former secretary general of the ANC Youth League Sindiso Magaqa will know next Monday the length time he will be spending behind bars for his role in the assassination.
Sibusiso Ncengwa will not get a life sentence after the state agreed to a lesser sentence than that which was prescribed for the nature of this crime because he confessed from the day he was arrested in 2018, and disclosed the names of those who had contracted the hitmen.
Magaqa was allegedly targeted for exposing corruption within the municipality.
Ncengwa's lawyer, Advocate Andrew Matlamela, told Judge Nontuthuzelo Mlaba at the Pietermaritzburg High Court yesterday that his client deserved a lesser sentence than life because he had already spent eight years in custody while awaiting trial.
This was in spite of Ncengwa already serving 30 years in prison for unrelated crimes, which included attempted murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Matlamela said the court should be lenient towards Ncengwa as he participated in Magaqa's murder, but he was not the gunman who fired the AK47.
The actual killer was Jabulani Mdunge, who was later killed during a shootout with the police.
“The accused not only pleaded guilty, but he fully disclosed who the instigators were,” said Matlamela.
Both the state and the defence agreed that Ncengwa should be transferred from New Prison in Pietermaritzburg to Durban’s Westville Prison for the sake of his safety, as he will be testifying on behalf of the NPA against the instigator of Magaqa’s murder.
He also said his client, whose level of education ended at Grade 10, had a subnormal intelligence and was motivated by the need to generate income to support his family, including his four minor children.
At the time he committed the crime, he generated money by selling food on the street.
Matlamela said Ncengwa was so remorseful for his actions that he wanted to apologise to Magaqa's family for the role he played in the crime.
“He attempted to get contact details for the survivors to apologise, but he didn't get the contact details."
During his confession, Ncengwa revealed the late and former KwaZulu-Natal ANC treasurer Mluleki Ndobe, who was the mayor of the Mzimkhulu Municipality when Magaqa was killed, was one of the conspirators.
The gunman opened fire at Magaqa’s car, injuring him and female councillors Jabulile Msiya and Nonsikelelo Mafa.
Mafa and Msiya survived while Magaqa died later in hospital.
Ndobe was initially arrested and charged with murder, but charges were later dropped.
It was alleged that the conspiracy to kill Magaqa was put together to stop him up from spilling the beans on corruption surrounding the multi-million rand construction of a community hall in Mzimkhulu.
Magaqa's murder left his family in a dire financial situation.
State Advocate Elvis Gcweka described the devastating effect that political killings had caused in KwaZulu-Natal over the years.
Such killings became the subject of the Moerane Commission, which was established in 2016 - before Magaqa’s murder.
“Some of the witnesses that have testified before this court repeated what was said in that commission that ‘something was rotten in the state of Denmark’.
“That commission was clearly describing KwaZulu-Natal in respect of the political killings.
“Even after the Moerane Commission had concluded, regrettably, there was no reduction in the rate of political killings,” said Gcweka.
He said, like in most political killings, Magaqa’s murder was connected to the corrupt issuing of tenders.
Gcweka was offered R20,000 and a tender for killing Magaqa.
Although he told the conspirators that he did not know anything about tenders, they told him that it did not matter because they were going to run the tender for him and pay him the proceeds.
Gcweka described this as a reason that the government is failing to deliver services and he described the province as rotten when it came to political killings.
*This article was first published by IOL News
Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama, Thamsanqa Jiyane, and Anoj Singh appeared at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on Monday, facing charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering.
While four former Transnet executives facing corruption charges are claiming innocence, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) insisted there is substantial evidence linking them to the crimes.
Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama, Thamsanqa Jiyane, and Anoj Singh appeared at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on Monday, facing charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering.
The group is alleged to be involved in a R93 million locomotives deal awarded to a company linked with the Gupta family.
While the accused maintain they are innocent, Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the evidence tells a different story.
“In our holistic approach as IDAC, we investigate everything that was provided in the state capture commission. That is why we have staggered our approach in terms of formulating charges against the accused persons.”
*This article was first published by Eye Witness News
