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In today's BizNews Daybreak: Global markets rallied after President Trump halted planned military strikes against Iran. In South Africa, the Patriotic Alliance clinched a major by-election victory in Malmesbury, weakening established parties. Meanwhile, Alec Hogg unpacked South Africa's overlooked multi-billion rand gold mining fortune. Finally, we highlight Adobe's executive shakeup amid strong AI product demand and rising concerns that steep ticket prices are excluding ordinary soccer fans from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Alec Hogg opens with a thesis from Merrill Lynch veteran Dr. Duarte de Silva: South Africa's abandoned gold mines and tailings dumps — written off at $300–$800/oz — are generating margins above $3,000 per ounce at today's prices. The Witwatersrand Basin still holds as much gold as has ever been extracted from it. Yet exploration spend has collapsed 95% from its 2006 peak. On the JSE: Wesizwe Platinum surges 90% as its year-long trading suspension lifts; Pan African drifts lower despite a sound Australian acquisition; Fortress Real Estate impresses on logistics; Alexander Forbes delivers flat earnings on strong revenue; and Bell Equipment executes a textbook CEO handover. Globally: the ECB raises rates, Belfast burns, and OpenAI flags Chinese disinformation targeting US data centres.

In the latest Electoral Road Show with Chris Steyn, Elections Analyst Wayne Sussman describes how Gayton MacKenzie's Patriotic Alliance (PA) is continuing to march onwards and upwards “weakening” both the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the African National Congress (ANC) in the Western Cape. In the latest by-election, the PA won 53% of the vote in Malmesbury Wesbank. “This used to be the safest DA municipality in the country. And in 2024, the Patriotic Alliance burst through that wall by winning the seat off the DA.” Sussman also comments on GOOD and Rise Mzansi joining forces behind mayoral hopeful Brett Herron; the ANC's elevation of Dada Morero to intervention convener for Gauteng's troubled municipalities; the late President Nelson Mandela's grandson Mandla eyeing a mayoral chain in the Eastern Cape; and Buffalo City Mayor Princess Faku coming under fire for taking officials on overseas trips to China and Germany while the municipality is struggling financially. “Next week we have two Buffalo City by-elections…It'll be interesting to see whether this issue, this debacle, hurts the ANC because both of the seats are ANC seats.”

In today's BizNews Daybreak: Oil spikes after the US military launched retaliatory strikes on Iran, pushing May US inflation to a three-year high of 4.2%. Meanwhile, Oracle shares dipped 6% over cloud capex fears, Bill Gates testified on Capitol Hill regarding Jeffrey Epstein, and SpaceX's historic IPO drew $250 billion in institutional demand. Locally, explosive leaked chats reveal top South African cops threatening activist Yusuf Abramjee, gun owners fight the Firearms Control Amendment bill, and Spar SA shares surprisingly rose despite obliterated profits.

Fears of an agenda to disarm private citizens are growing along with jaw-dropping allegations of criminal activity by top cops. In his latest interview with Chris Steyn, Jonathan Deal, the founder of Safe Citizen, warns that the public is not properly and fully informed on public safety, and takes viewers through the implications of proposed changes to firearms ownership and training regulations for ordinary citizens, as well as for the private security industry. “...for many South Africans, a lawfully-owned firearm, either in their own hands or in the hands of the security industry, is actually their mainstay of security, particularly in the absence of the ability of the State to look after them. I can't understand why a government that itself is beleaguered on so many levels in the South African Police Service would go and meddle and fiddle with things where the public at least have some measure of protection, even if they're providing it themselves.” Meanwhile, he expresses grave concern about more and more allegations of criminal activity involving top police officers emerging at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. “Certainly, it appears that the government has lost control of this critical environment. Personally, my view is that…that our police service has become politicised. It is used as a political football.”

A top South African cop, Major General Feroz Khan of Crime Intelligence, and a tobacco kingpin, Mohamed Sayed, plotted to “f….up well known anti-crime activist and Tax Justice SA Founder, Yusuf Abramjee. In this interview with Chris Steyn, Abramjee details a litany of shocking revelations in a 750-page bundle released by the Madlanga Commission. Abramjee vows not to be silenced. “General Khan has been subpoenaed to appear before the commission on the 1st of July. And I'm sure that he will come clean. He has to come clean because we cannot allow this lawlessness. We cannot allow this collusion. We cannot allow this intimidation to continue….You cannot be a policeman and a criminal.” Abramjee points out how revelations at the Madlanga Commission again show how rotten the criminal justice system is, but warns: “I believe it's only the tip of the iceberg. We have a major problem within the police service and also other arms of the criminal justice system. And we need to make sure that the recommendations and the suggestions coming out of the Madlanga Commission are implemented.”

BizNews editor Alec Hogg unpacks a day when geopolitics, markets and history collided. SPAR's SA operating profit collapsed 73% — yet the stock rallied on relief. Afrimat's Competition Tribunal disposal barely moved the needle. MTN laid out its Ambition 2030 strategy and the market sold the news. Then the big stories: US and Iranian forces exchanged strikes near the Strait of Hormuz, Bill Gates faced Congress over his Epstein ties, and SpaceX set a fixed IPO price of $135 — with $250bn of demand for a $75bn raise. Friday's listing could be the most consequential in a generation.

A six-year delay, constitutional criticism, and allegations of misleading the court - Rob Rose's investigation into South Africa's Competition Tribunal raises serious questions about accountability and economic governance. In this hard-hitting discussion with Alec Hogg, Rose unpacks how regulatory paralysis, questionable decision-making, and a lack of consequences are undermining business confidence and investment. From stalled competition cases to broader failures across state institutions, this conversation explores why efficient, credible regulation is essential for economic growth and South Africa's future prosperity.

In this episode of BizNews Daybreak, US forces strike Iran after a helicopter downing, SpaceX's IPO sees massive demand, and IBM bets billions on quantum computing. In South Africa, the Competition Appeal Court slams egregious six-year delays crippling corporate deals, while Johannesburg's bleak budget exposes critical cash shortages and severe utility infrastructure backlogs. Finally, we highlight the suspension of 14 senior police officers over corrupt tenders and take a look at China's multi-billion-dollar push to expand its domestic AI data center network.

In his latest interview with Chris Steyn, political commentator Solly Moeng comments on President Cyril Ramaphosa's poor handling of the immigration (and other) crisis; the mysterious social media campaign to position Freedom Front Plus Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald as a future president; questions about the R30 million “donation” to Rise Mzansi, the party that has an MP chairing the Ramaphosa impeachment committee; unholy links between General Feroz Khan of Crime Intelligence and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Commander-in-Chief Julius Malema; 14 police officers suspended in relation to a tender linked to the politically connected Cat Matlala; and the failure to arrest alleged Tembisa Hospital looting kingpin Hangwani Morgan Maumela, the nephew by marriage of Ramaphosa. “...if you arrest the small guys and you let the big guys continue the games they're playing on all of us, then we're going to end up having the same conversations in a year's time…they should dig out everyone who's hiding in the crevices of this madness, take them into the public space and…hopefully the NPA this time will act without fear, favour or prejudice and go after everybody. Else, South Africans must vote…We need to place this country ahead of all these mad men and women in politics.”

Johannesburg's new budget lays bare a city in financial distress: less than 10 days of cash reserves, a R220 billion infrastructure backlog, and revenue targets that ignore the fact that nearly half its water never gets billed. Alec Hogg dissects the numbers that every ratepayer and bondholder should see. Then: Jubilee Metals tries to win back the market with a credible operational update from Zambia; Araxi (formerly Capital Appreciation) posts softer headline numbers that mask an 80% surge in its core software earnings; a hostile takeover battle at Mustek nears its conclusion; and why a director selling shares at ASP Isotopes is not what it looks like. And in the second half — SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic are heading for public markets with a combined valuation pipeline of over $3 trillion. Alec draws the parallels with 1999, and asks the question Wall Street is afraid to answer: are we at the top?

In today's Daybreak episode, OpenAI files for a fall IPO and SpaceX's oversubscribed listing targets a $1.8 trillion valuation. Meanwhile, Israel and Iran ease strikes after Trump's intervention. Locally, a new AGOA proposal allows South African firms to opt out of BEE to avoid US tariffs, PPC's 84% profit surge triggers stock volatility, Bernard Montgomery reminisces on the old JSE floor, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup struggles with tourism forecasts.

In June 1996, the JSE's open-outcry trading floor fell silent forever. Thirty years on, Irakli speaks to Bernie Montgomery — clerk-turned-broker — who recalls the chaos, camaraderie, and colourful lunches that defined an era before the screen took over.

Omnia and Sygnia deliver standout half-year numbers and shareholders cheer. PPC posts 84% profit growth and the stock drops 3.5%. Alec Hogg unpacks three SENS announcements that tell you everything about how markets actually work — and why beating expectations matters more than beating last year.

This morning's Daybreak covers global market movements as oil ticks up amid Middle East tensions and tech shares slump globally. Meanwhile, Apple prepares to unveil its overhauled Siri and new AI features at WWDC. Locally, Lauren Evanthia addresses a massive R2 billion South African hospital scandal, Tara Roos breaks down Johannesburg's R200 billion infrastructure backlog and weak financial controls, and Sakeliga's Russell Lamberti proposes an AGOA "off-ramp" to shield compliant businesses from Pretoria's policy fallout.

As the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) faces bipartisan scrutiny in Washington ahead of its December 2026 deadline, South African business group Sakeliga has submitted a radical new proposal for "subnational differentiation". Russell Lamberti explains how the plan would allow individual companies, municipalities, and provinces—like the Western Cape—to bypass looming punitive US trade tariffs. By directly verifying compliance with free-market principles and formally dissenting from the ANC's race-based BEE and expropriation policies, businesses could protect their access to crucial US export markets regardless of national government action.

In the latest edition of NdB Sunday Show with Chris Steyn and Lauren Evanthia, the Founder of the Organic Humanity Movement, they talk about the authorities going after the R3million Bentley Continental GT that had belonged to President Cryil Ramaposa's nephew by marriage, Hangwani Morgan Maumela, who has been fingered as the Tembisa Hospital looting kingpin; criminal charges being laid against former Ekurhuleni City Manager Dr Imogen Mashazi who once turned up at a fashion event in an outfit estimated to have cost R3.5 million; NUMSA General Secretary Irvin Jim's lifestyle under scrutiny with talk of a R5m custom-armoured BMW and an exclusive apartment; as well as the Zim wedding of a tenderpreneur's son where the couple received US$20m in wedding gifts. Evanthia also comments on the re-defection of former MP Liam Jacobs back to the Democratic Alliance from the Patriotic Alliance; the deadly anti-immigrant riots; and plans to build South Africa's biggest AI data centre in the Durban area.

Johannesburg's financial crisis is deepening, with the Auditor-General revealing R9.5 billion in losses driven largely by electricity theft, water leaks and weak governance. An infrastructure backlog now estimated at R200 billion threatens service delivery in South Africa's economic powerhouse. Analysts warn that years of poor oversight, mounting debt and a lack of accountability have left the city vulnerable to worsening power and water outages. With residents and businesses already feeling the strain, calls for urgent intervention are growing louder.

Today on BizNews Daybreak, global updates reveal the US passing a key Ukraine aid bill, leveling strict new sanctions against Cuba, and racing to contain a Texas screw worm outbreak. Locally, Athol Trollip warns that slow cattle vaccinations are worsening South Africa's foot and mouth disease crisis. Plus, The Economist's Chief Africa Correspondent, John McDermott, analyses the logistics of a deadly, unvaccinated Ebola strain currently spreading through the eastern DRC.

John McDermott explores the unfolding Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, unpacking how transmission occurs, why the crisis is spreading, and what makes this strain particularly dangerous. He examines strained health systems, limited aid funding, and the challenge of vaccine development. The discussion situates the outbreak within broader regional conflict and mistrust, highlighting how geopolitics, poverty, and weak infrastructure complicate containment efforts while international partners race to respond.

Athol Trollip delivers a blistering critique of South Africa's handling of the foot-and-mouth disease crisis, arguing that government bureaucracy and a state-controlled vaccination strategy are failing farmers and allowing the outbreak to spread. Drawing on decades of farming experience, the ActionSA parliamentary leader says commercial farmers should be empowered to vaccinate their own herds, while state resources focus on vulnerable rural communities. He warns that delays, poor execution and political stubbornness are deepening economic damage and could carry serious political consequences.

Amazon has officially disrupted the local market by launching its full Prime offering in South Africa. Globally, SpaceX plans a historic $75 billion IPO, Broadcom's AI chip revenue forecasts disappoint, and a fragile Israel-Lebanon ceasefire is renewed. Additionally, experts call for urgent action against South Africa's rampant illegal number plate trade, while UK political leaders clash heavily in Parliament.

Amazon is turning up the heat in South Africa. Two years after launching its local marketplace, the e-commerce giant has officially rolled out Amazon Prime at a dramatically lower price, taking direct aim at Takealot. Global Prime chief Jamil Ghani explains why Amazon believes fast, free delivery, streaming, gaming and exclusive Prime Day deals can win over South African shoppers. He also reveals how Prime works, why it's profitable, and what could be next for Amazon in the country.

A Business Day investigation has pried open South Africa's black market for number plates and found the price of entry close to nothing. In this interview with Irakli, Business Day Deputy Editor Kabelo Khumalo explains how reporters walked out of three Johannesburg establishments with plates after doing just one thing - writing a registration number on a piece of paper, with no ID, licence or vehicle registration required. He warns the trade is above all a security risk: "Number plates is as good as a DNA for an investigative officer… because now we can't even rely on those." It also opens the door to cloning, dragging law-abiding citizens into investigations "for crimes that they have nothing to do with". Khumalo says the body representing legal producers estimates as much as 40% of number plates issued in South Africa might be illegal, and that getting hold of them is now as simple as a trip to the shops "to buy bread and milk". He points to the country's only three manufacturers of blank plates — one of which, Uniplate, "admitted that the system is imperfect" — and to "a syndicate in the middle that is distorting the market in favour of the illicit". Tellingly, the illegal plates cost the same as the legal ones: "people are not driven to buy these plates because of pricing, but because they want to avoid law enforcement." The DA has written to the Ministers of Police, Trade & Industry and Transport to set up an inter-ministerial team, while the Competition Commission pursues the three manufacturers over alleged collusion on pricing.

Globally, the US proposes major tariffs, and US-Iran peace talks face friction over the conflict in Lebanon. Locally, a Pretoria SPAR store faces severe tax fraud allegations, a Business Day investigation exposes rampant illicit number plate sales in Johannesburg, and an expert shares crucial tips to combat digital banking fraud. Finally, economist Mariana Mazzucato argues for purpose-driven corporate contracts.

Business Day journalist Nompilo Zulu unpacks allegations of VAT fraud and accounting irregularities at Spar's Bloed Street Tops store, after a BDO due-diligence report flagged unreliable financials, alleged tax underdeclarations and stock-related concerns. Spar strongly disputes the claims, saying the matter relates to one store and follows a failed bid by businessman Amaan Sayed to rejoin the Spar network. With complaints now before regulators including the JSE, Saica and CIPC, Zulu explains what the report found, how Spar has responded, and what could come next.

Losses from digital banking fraud in South Africa are estimated to total at least a billion and a half Rand a year. In this interview with Chris Steyn, Governance, Compliance and Risk Expert Deshnee Govender, shares how the sophisticated modus operandi of bank fraudsters fool customers, and she shares tips to avoid being tricked by them. Deshnee also urges banks to have proper Governance, Compliance and Risk measures in place, and to submit employees to integrity testing and lifestyle audits. Meanwhile, she describes how the banking industry is being revolutionised. “There's…Revolut, a totally digital bank... It's currently operating in the UK and Europe, but it's got its license now to… operate in South Africa. Then as from next year, the PEPCOR group…coming out with their own bank… PlusB. So there's a lot of other players that are going to be entering the market as well. And I think the key…for the conventional banks…is to see who can actually manage the monies…of the citizens professionally and with integrity…those newcomers…are going to bring a different kind of vibe to the market. And I think citizens will be tempted to go to banks where you can be assured…that your resources are absolutely safe.”

In today's BizNews Daybreak: Internationally, President Trump cuts agricultural equipment tariffs, Apple introduces an iPhone bill-splitting feature, and Nvidia debuts a $5 trillion PC AI chip. Locally, Free State's community grid takeover triumphs, KZN lags behind in foot-and-mouth vaccinations, and analysts unpack the impeachment pressures facing President Ramaphosa.

What happens when a community decides it's had enough of municipal failure? In this compelling conversation, Rob Hersov explains how a small Free State municipality took matters into its own hands, restoring services, managing electricity distribution, collecting revenue, and driving local development. The result is a working model of public-private cooperation that could transform struggling municipalities across South Africa. From grassroots leadership to political change, this is a powerful story of resilience, innovation, and a practical blueprint for renewal.

At $1.75 trillion, SpaceX is set to be the largest listing ever. Unhedged's Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong are joined by Lex editor John Foley to discuss Elon Musk's latest headline maker. The boy from Pretoria keeps remaking financial history.

Livestock farmers across South Africa remain desperate for the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak to be contained. In his latest interview with Chris Steyn, Andrew Morphew, the spokesperson for FMD Response SA, says: “The Industry Coordinating Council says that 1,3 million doses have been distributed to the province (KZN), whereas just over 600 000 doses have been administered. So there are a lot of vaccines which are sitting in fridges.” As for the whole country, Morphew says while there is a reported 13,5 million doses in the country currently, the Portfolio Committee has reported 3,8 million doses administered. “So there's a massive discrepancy…The department is obviously sitting on a very large stockpile of vaccines now. Make some of that available to the private sector so that people that want to vaccinate their animals can. Let us use the route that has been given to us by the court in order to get those vaccines into animals as fast as we possibly can.” Morphew reiterated that over 90% of commercial beef farmers in KZN had not had access to State vaccines, but “they say they've started vaccinating beef herds now”. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen will give his update at a Press briefing today.

In today's BizNews Daybreak: Global energy markets watch closely as Brent crude climbs back past $93 a barrel amid a tense US-Iran stalemate over the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, global investors rush into funds ahead of a massive, AI-linked SpaceX IPO. Businessman Sam Montši critiques BEE implementation, calling for unity over forced division. Finally, designer Leon Kluge overcomes severe weather to secure gold at the Chelsea Flower Show.

In the latest edition of the NdB Sunday Show, Chris Steyn talks to Lauren Evanthia, the Founder of the Organic Humanity Movement (OHM), about the “walls closing in” on President Cyril Ramaphosa with a former Public Protector submitting a formal whistleblower's report to FBI and the US Department of Justice on Phala Phala; the anti-Ramaphosa voices on this Impeachment Committee due to meet for the first time tomorrow; former President Jacob Zuma's attack on the President for turning to the courts to try and stop the inquiry; as well as "President-in-waiting" Paul Mashatile's Cape Flats “oversight visit”. They also talk about KZN Provincial Police Commissioner Lt.-Genl. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's response to being named Newsmaker of the Year, and the bomb explosions in Woolworths in two of South Africa's capitals, Bloemfontein and Tshwane. As for the new tax proposed for Vehicle Licence renewals to support the beleaguered Road Accident Fund (RAF), Evanthia says: “So every time there's government failure, the answer is like, let's try tax the people more…There has to be a point where we as South Africans say, no, do your job as a government. We want to see our return on investment, or we're not going to pay up.”

Defying Barriers is the memoir of a man told by his own government to vanish — and who turned the threat into a business empire spanning two countries. In this interview with Irakli, businessman and author Sam Montši recounts how a 1987 order to "disappear" from military-ruled Lesotho drove him into apartheid South Africa, where he joined the mighty South African Breweries. There, he says, "I was the first Black general manager in the SAB Group at the time. And white people, sadly, were not used to having a Black person overseeing them. So some of them behaved in an unfortunate fashion, and I had to get rid of one of them." Montši explains the operating instinct behind a portfolio that broke barriers from fishing to shipbuilding — "a business needs to move, and move fast" — and reflects candidly on succession, recalling how his son Arif joined him: "Dad, I'm coming to work with you. I'm not coming to work for you. I'm not going to carry your briefcase." He reveres Nelson Mandela as a nation builder — "we were lucky to have him when we had him" — but delivers a stinging critique of Black Economic Empowerment, charging that it "has pitted the Black man against the white person, rather than getting them to work together," and that requiring white firms to take on Black partners is "in a sense, suggesting that Black people cannot create these things themselves." Montši also shares the leadership philosophy that carried him from a Soweto childhood to West African boardrooms: "for you to shine, you must make the people that work directly under you shine." He outlines in detail the journey of crossing boundaries others said could not be crossed — and what it means to now hand the family business to the next generation.

To get Cape fynbos and proteas ready for the Chelsea Flower Show after wildfire one year and drenching rain the next is no small feat. But Leon Kluge, South Africa's plant guru and master designer, has done it again. This year he returned from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London, the world's most prestigious floral showcase, with not only a Gold medal but also the coveted Best Exhibit in the Great Pavilion for Life After Fire. The display, one of South Africa's largest ever at Chelsea, featured 20,000 stems, thousands of burnt protea branches and even blooms from the Drakensberg. In an interview with BizNews, Kluge describes the hurdles he and artist Tristan Woudberg faced, from hostile weather to the soaring cost of flights. South Africans will be able to see the exhibition in September in Stanford in the Overberg, an event dedicated to the community and the flower pickers who helped make it possible. Kluge says South Africa's natural spaces are becoming fewer and more fragile, and that he sees it as his responsibility to tell the story of an ecosystem that is both uniquely vulnerable and admired around the world. – Linda van Tilburg

On today's BizNews Daybreak, pressure builds globally as the US and Iran edge toward a tentative 60-day ceasefire. Plus, we bring you the latest market-moving updates on Dell, SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Anthropic. In South Africa, the Democratic Alliance (DA) achieved a sensational, historic victory by winning its first-ever pure township ward in Evaton West from the ANC. Meanwhile, analysts debate Helen Zille's 45% coalition strategy in Johannesburg and the DA's principled test regarding the Ramaphosa impeachment inquiry.

In this edition of The Electoral Road Show with Chris Steyn, Elections Analyst Supremo Wayne Sussman describes how the Democratic Alliance (DA) has made history by winning its first ever township ward: “Emfuleni, Evaton is an historic ANC stronghold. And last night the DA achieved something sensational. They are able to win its first ever pure township ward, hundred percent township ward, not just in a by-election, but ever…” However, the African National Congress (ANC) did continue its “very good run” in Northwest where they had “an emphatic victory” in a Mahikeng ward, growing from 58% of the vote to 73%. These by-elections took place against the backdrop of a chilling warning from SCOPA that municipalities across the country are unviable, and the ANC NEC moving to make local government reform its singular focus. Says Sussman: “The ANC, particularly after that Gauteng result, is on the back foot now and needs to find great candidates which can connect with communities, find credible mayoral candidates which can turn the negative sentiment towards the party in Gauteng and in many other parts of the country around. This is a key, key few weeks for them.” Meanwhile, Jo'burg residents are facing more steep tariff hikes.

In today's BizNews Daybreak, we cover mixed signals regarding a US-Iran deal, defensive airstrikes in Bandar Abbas, and escalating Israeli operations against Hezbollah. In corporate news, Snowflake's stock surges 35% on an AWS partnership, while Fed Governor Lisa Cook warns of potential interest rate hikes. Locally, political commentator Solly Moeng breaks down the impeachment pressure facing President Ramaphosa, and SAAI CEO Francois Rossouw discusses potential massive damages claims against Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen over livestock vaccines. Finally, strategist Edward Yardeni breaks down the S&P 500's "fabulous earnings momentum" and the scarcity of buying the dip.

The possible impeachment of President Cyril Ramaphosa seems one step closer with the composition of a “very diverse, multi-party” Impeachment Committee, but the President is fighting back with a court bid to try and stop the inquiry. In this interview with Chris Steyn, Political Commentator Solly Moeng describes how the President is “kicking the ball down the road” and “trying to buy more time” whilst facing “people who want him to be removed because maybe it'll advance their chances towards power through coalitions”, while “others want him to be removed because what he did is wrong”. As for Deputy President Paul Mashatile waiting in the wings: “I fear that if he were to become president, he might not be friendly towards the criminal justice system. The same way that Zuma came into the Presidency running away from the long arm of the law. And people like that coming there, the first thing they do is to ensure that they will weaken any part of the State that might go after them for stuff they did or they are alleged to have done in the past.” As for how the Democratic Alliance (DA) is likely to emerge from the impeachment process, Moeng says: “Now they have an opportunity to show that they still stand for the principle that they've always promoted themselves to be standing for.” He also comments on anti-immigrant protests that have sparked urgent government talks at the Union Buildings to formulate a national plan to deal with the rising xenophobia in South Africa.

In today's BizNews Daybreak, South African farmers win a massive High Court order against Agriculture Minister John Steinhauser over livestock vaccine restrictions. Globally, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza target new Hamas military leader Mohammed Odeh, while the US deploys health officers to Kenya to establish an Ebola quarantine facility. Back home, Alec Hogg emphasizes long-term market conviction for deeply discounted local stocks like Purple Capital, Afrimat, We Buy Cars, and Pick n Pay.

Agricultural Minister John Steenhuisen is facing huge damage claims from livestock farmers following a High Court order against him. In this interview with Chris Steyn, Southern African Afgri Initiative (Saai) CEO Francois Rousseau says the court found that the Minister and his department were “unlawfully prohibiting farmers from vaccinating their own cattle” and ordered that he “cannot interfere in the supply of or in the business transaction relating to the supply of vaccines coming into the country”. Roussouw says he hopes farmers suing the Minister for damages will succeed because “this was an absolute abuse of power”. He further charges: “This is someone who had no expertise whatsoever, appointed people with expertise on these different advisory committees, but he just used them to legitimise his actions…I do think he lied intentionally on a number of occasions and for that, farmers should hold him accountable.” Roussow outlines all the practical implications of the judgment for livestock farmers with regards to supply, procurement and administration.

Today's BizNews Daybreak episode analyses US self-defense strikes in Iran amidst delicate diplomatic efforts. At the Vatican, Pope Leo and Anthropic's co-founder launched an encyclical warning against AI risks. Locally, Dr. Frans Cronje unpacks fracturing political coalitions, while Pick n Pay CEO Sean Summers defends painful labor cost restructurings. We also cover calls for criminal justice reform, Johannesburg's deepening infrastructure crisis, and the market optimism driving a stronger rand.

Johannesburg's mayor Dada Morero delivered his State of the City address from a cathedral this week — complete with a marching band and a reading of the Lord's Prayer. But behind the pageantry, South Africa's biggest city is staring down billions in debt, a crumbling water network, and a power utility threatening to pull the plug. In this interview with Irakli, Currency Senior Reporter Shirley de Villiers picks apart Morero's claims of a fully funded budget and targets met, warning that "it fell apart out of the gates" — from misleading Cape Town comparisons to a city "owed 25 billion by debtors" but with "only 4 billion cash on hand". On Eskom's threat to cut power over a R5.2bn debt, de Villiers is blunt: "Joburg doesn't have the money...I presume it would be rotational power cuts and essentially residents being left in the dark when they have paid for their services." And Joburg, she warns, is no outlier — "116 of them have unfunded budgets, 162 of them are in financial distress...It's the result of poor leadership, poor governance, patronage politics, corruption and ineptitude." With local government elections looming in November, this is almost certainly Morero's last State of the City address — and quite possibly the ANC's last chance to convince residents it can still govern the country's economic heartland. On current evidence, the residents can but pray.

With the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry restoring people's faith in commissions, Dr Zizamele Cebekhulu-Makhaza, Chairman of the Safer South Africa Foundation, tells Chris Steyn why the Madlanga Commission has been so effective in sharp contrast with the Zondo Commission. He describes the impact on both the SAPS and the criminal underworld of the unprecedented Press Conference in which KZN Provincial Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi stunned the country with charges of police and political capture. “He helped this country in various ways. In fact, he took this country……out of mud to bring… the information to those who have got the capacity to clean the country…we want the President to deal with this matter in a very decisive way. We expect him as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to act very decisively on the matters that the Madlanga Commission are dealing with.” As for the other pillars of the Criminal Justice Cluster, Dr Cebekhulu-Makhaza says: “...There is a problem in the Department of Justice… the underworld has infiltrated them...the Department of Justice must not try to...…hide what Mkhwanazi has revealed because everybody knows what has happened. I'm happy that Madlanga...will overlap into those terrains and reveal to us what is happening in those terrains and also in Correctional Services.” Dr Cebekhulu-Makhaza outlines in detail all the urgent reforms needed to restore credibility, accountability and operation effectiveness with the criminal justice system.

Sean Summers, CEO of Pick n Pay, outlines a tough but deliberate turnaround for the retailer as it battles market volatility, labour tensions and legacy costs. In a frank interview, he defends short-term share price swings and emphasises long-term value creation through restructuring and investment in stores and Boxer. He insists the goal is a sustainable, competitive future rather than quick fixes, despite pressure from losses, inflation and ongoing negotiations with unions and suppliers across South Africa's retail sector today.

South Africa stands at a political crossroads. In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Frans Cronje unpacks the fragile future of the GNU, coalition chaos ahead of local elections, ANC infighting, and the economic risks of a radical policy shift. From Johannesburg's crumbling infrastructure to the resilience of South Africa's private sector, Cronje argues voters are becoming more pragmatic while politicians remain trapped in ideology. He also weighs the prospects of Patrice Motsepe, warns of possible “balkanisation,” and explains why the country may still avoid total collapse.

In today's BizNews Daybreak, we highlight progress on a US-Iran deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, shifting crude oil prices, a paused US arms sale to Taiwan, and a massive Russian hypersonic missile attack near Kyiv. In South Africa, Lauren Evanthia argues that a true 39% voter turnout in 2024 reflects systemic collapse and a lack of hope, urging an end to party politics. Meanwhile, Helen Zille warns that the DA needs an outright majority to fix Johannesburg, fearing another fragile, multi-party coalition driven by jobs and tenders.

In this edition of the NdB Sunday Show, hosted by Chris Steyn, Lauren Evanthia, the founder of the Organic Humanity Movement (OHM), analyses Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie's unwavering support for President Cyril Ramaphosa in a GNU that “it is really held up by toothpicks at this moment…in a last ditch effort to try hold some semblance of normality so our economy doesn't completely crumbles”; former Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen's performance in Parliament; why his party is at “a little bit at a crisis point” and have “reached the maximum capacity of support”; continuing chaos at former President Jacob Zuma's MKP with MP Papa Penny off to Floyd Shivambu's new party; and the apparent support among blacks on social media for FF Plus Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald. Questioning the accuracy of the latest crime statistics, Evanthia also comments on the armed invasion this weekend at the home of former International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor. “I think when things like this happen to people in power, are they going to wake up and actually do something? History says no...” Meanwhile, she warns that the murder of two tourists in the Kruger National Park - the first in its history - is bound to be a huge blow to much needed tourism.

A young South African filmmaker is heading to Hollywood after her one‑take student film, Ongeluk, rose above more than 8,400 global entries to secure a place in the 2026 Sony Future Filmmaker Awards. Centurion's Talita Brits, 24, will join four other finalists in Los Angeles for a week of masterclasses at Sony Pictures Studios ahead of the gala ceremony on 11 June. Brits told BizNews about the chaos of shooting a high‑stakes, low‑budget film in a single take and why she gravitates toward stories that push audiences to confront uncomfortable ethical choices. Her next project, part of her honours research at the Open Window Institute, explores one of filmmaking's most sensitive challenges: how to portray suicide responsibly. She hopes her work will help young people speak more openly about mental health, depression, anxiety and cyberbullying.

Helen Zille says Johannesburg's crisis is far worse than she imagined, warning the city faces financial collapse, crumbling infrastructure, and coalition chaos. In this wide-ranging interview, she outlines her plan to restore water, electricity, roads, and investor confidence while exposing deep governance failures, corruption, and “last lap looting” inside the metro. Zille argues only a DA majority can deliver stability and prevent Johannesburg from sliding further into dysfunction.

In today's BizNews Daybreak, we cover the latest business and political updates. On the international front, US-Iran tensions escalate over Strait of Hormuz tolls, while SpaceX scrubs its 12th Starship test mission. Locally, Helen Zille warns of Johannesburg's collapsing municipal budget and failing infrastructure, economist Dawie Roodt discusses Treasury's futile attempts to control crypto-assets, and thirsty CEO Rob Hoatson urges businesses to fight state dysfunction. Finally, AfriForum demands transparency regarding the delayed extradition of the Guptas.