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Veteran columnist William Saunderson-Meyer, in conversation with Alec Hogg, delivers a scathing critique of the Democratic Alliance's role in the Government of National Unity. From the sidelining of Emma Powell to the silent complicity over Pretoria Girls High, Saunderson-Meyer warns the DA is trading its liberal soul for power - while Ramaphosa quietly accelerates the ANC's National Democratic Revolution.

In today's BizNews Briefing: Longtime columnist William Saunderson-Meyer unpacks Emma Powell's political humiliation amid DA tensions; Dr Lennit Max sheds light on SAPS dysfunction and the ANC's anti-corruption retreat; more insight from the Pretoria Girls High controversy; and the future of Trump's global tariffs is explored. Plus, Palantir discussions from Bloomberg and The Financial Times - and a Cape Town influencer finds herself in sewage water...

In a bizarre turn of events, Gauteng's Education Department suspended the headmistress of Pretoria High School for Girls - over garden maintenance. Alec Hogg speaks to her husband Mike Erasmus and school governing body chair Craig Hezlett, exposing what appears to be a political vendetta wrapped in bureaucratic overreach.

The only way to save the South African Police Service (SAPS) is to “sanitise” it from political interference and put proper management in place. So says former Western Province Provincial Police Commissioner, Dr. Lennit Max. He points out that currently, the National Commissioner, his deputies and the nine provincial commissioners are black. He says in terms of current regulations, the National Commissioner can only appoint from Major General upwards in consultation with the Minister. “that… is in itself political interference where the Minister must agree to an appointment”. Dr Max describes a breakdown in trust between Minister Senzo Mchunu - now on special leave - and National Commissioner Fannie Masemola - and says one of them will have to leave otherwise it will “affect the rest of the police and ultimately negatively affecting service delivery to the people”. He estimates that public trust in the police has dropped below 20% following the explosive allegations of police capture made by General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Dr Max also outlines the various legal mandates of the police as SAPS faces civil claims of more than R14 billion for unlawful arrests and detentions and another R741 million for shooting incidents involving members of the public.

Today's BizNews Briefing features the latest news on Pretoria High School for Girls; the Newcastle Steel plant set for closure on September 30; Aussies wanting to buy back its port of Darwin from China; Nedbank struggles, Palantir booms and Gwyneth Paltrow transforms steps Coldplay C-Suite affair disaster into a marketing opportunity.

In today's BizNews Briefing, Deputy President Paul Mashatile faces fresh scrutiny over undeclared gifts and luxury properties. Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach calls for urgent reform at the NPA, while the ANC grapples with US tariffs and their economic fallout. Plus, Trump escalates tensions with Russia and questions US job data integrity.

On BizNews' 12th birthday, Alec Hogg speaks with ArcelorMittal SA CEO Kobus Verster about the possible shutdown of its Newcastle steel plant. With 80,000 jobs at stake and Transnet, Eskom, and scrap metal policy failures bleeding the company dry, Verster says the IDC and government must act by 30 September or risk a social and economic disaster. The steel boss lays bare South Africa's crumbling industrial backbone - and offers a last-ditch plan to save it.

In the latest Sunday Show, Chris Steyn talks to Security Expert Brad Steyn about another tumultuous week in South African politics: He slams the “dangerous deflection” used by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his handling of the US export tariff crisis and a Presidency “more concerned with BRICS handshakes than backbone diplomacy”. Steyn also warns of dirty tricks to undermine the whistleblowing KZN General “Lucky” Mkhwanazi. “There is a rogue SAPS investigation underway, meaning the cover-up is beginning. The goal is to undermine reformers like Mkhwanazi before their testimony even sees daylight. This is incredibly concerning because the same tactics used in SAPS purges, intelligence shutdowns and factional suppressions happened under the Zuma administration. So it comes straight out of this ANC playbook.” As for the opulent lifestyle of Deputy President Paul Mashatile, Steyn says: “… insiders… now fear that his 2027 presidential bid is toxic and triggering a full potential ANC leadership collapse”. Steyn further warns of “foreign capture” saying: “…we're not just dealing with ANC incompetence, we're dealing with foreign intelligence infiltration. Right here… Iranian agents, Russian operatives and other foreign intelligence entities are being allowed to operate freely under the blind eye…”

Julia Jansch's filmmaking journey began in London and Los Angeles, where she worked on major reality television productions including Idol and The X Factor. Seeking to tell more personal and socially grounded stories, she returned to South Africa and founded her own production company, Southern Point Pictures. Her documentary My Father the Mover won the Best Documentary Short award at the Tribeca Film Festival. Jansch's work drew the attention of Disney, which commissioned her short documentary The Academy, now streaming on Disney+. The film follows Azile Arosi, a young woman from Khayelitsha who joins a sailing programme at Cape Town's Royal Yacht Club. Through sailing, Arosi finds healing and a sense of empowerment. In an interview with BizNews, Jansch said she is committed to telling South African stories of transformation. She described townships like Khayelitsha as places marked by hardship but also by profound resilience and hope. “There is hope,” she said, “for girls everywhere, no matter what their background.”

The future of many South African farmers hangs in the balance today with 30% export tariffs to the US set to take effect tomorrow. Wandile Sihlobo, the Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) - who has been involved in some of the trade deal preparations - says: “I would say that the South African authorities have done a fair share of their work on improving the offering that they had made at the end of June in Angola. The key thing then is whether there will be sufficient time to provide enough thinking as to what is being put on the table, given that every country in the world literally is racing to have a conversation with the US authorities.” Meanwhile, Sihlobo urges a change in approach in how South Africa engages with the world.” I think…we must embrace free trade agreements.” He also gives an update on the Foot-and-Mouth disease outbreak that has taken South African cattle farmers out of the export market for a particular period. However, he celebrates the excellent grain harvest up North where it's up double digit from last year. “We are looking at over 18 million tons of grain”. He also predicts a year of recovery for wheat, barley, and canola.

Economist Dawie Roodt warns that looming US tariffs on South African exports are politically driven and could significantly damage the country's fragile economy. In a BizNews interview, he criticises government inaction, highlights geopolitical risks, and calls for urgent reform. With economic growth stagnating, Roodt stresses the need for a new political direction and smarter international alignment.

Trump throws diplomatic cold water on SA ahead of November's G20, confirms India tariffs start Friday, and Fed Chair Powell resists rate cut demands. Back home, a forensic probe exposes rot in a multimillion-rand oxygen plant tender - while Microsoft hits AI cloud highs.

Following the resignation of Emma Powell, Ryan Smith has been announced as the Democratic Alliance's spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation. In his first interview since his appointment, Smith speaks to BizNews about the chances of South Africa cutting a last-minute deal with the United States to avert the 30% export tariffs due to come into effect on Friday. He reacts to US President Donald Trump's latest utterances in which he reiterated that he has had a “lot of problems with South Africa” and once again cited “some very bad policies”. Describing what it would take to reset the US-SA relationship, Smith urges non-alliance and a foreign policy that is “no longer the ambit of political whims”. On the resignation of Powell - who cited harassment, threats and intimidation - he says “it became far too heavy a personal toll for her”. As for what he now faces, Smith says: “… there are allegations across every government department of collusion, political interference, of corruption, and when you take your oath of office and you take a seat as a Member of Parliament in South Africa, certainly on the DA's benches, you are well aware that you're going up against all of this and that it can get very, very ugly”.

CemAir CEO Miles van der Molen tells Alec Hogg that the FlySafair pilot strike is the result of long-standing regulatory neglect and a broken aviation market. He warns that FlySafair's foreign ownership advantage has distorted competition and left South African pilots with fewer options.

A political storm brews at Pretoria High School for Girls as headmistress Philippa Erasmus faces questionable misconduct charges after being cleared of racism allegations. DA MPL Sergio Dos Santos claims the school is being unfairly targeted by Gauteng's education department, raising concerns of political vendettas, lack of transparency, and the misuse of new education laws to centralise control.

In today's BizNews Briefing, South Africa braces for looming US tariffs as diplomatic efforts intensify in Washington. Meanwhile, Safair faces scrutiny amid a historic pilot strike linked to regulatory double standards. In education, the Pretoria Girls' High saga deepens with new suspensions, raising fresh concerns about political interference. Plus, the Gupta mansion sale falls through, listed companies are diving into Bitcoin, and a viral clip of DA MP Glynis Breytenbach grilling G4S in a new tailpiece segment.

BizNews founder Alec Hogg checks in with Piet Viljoen and Magnus Heystek as their four-year Million Rand investment face-off nears its conclusion. Viljoen's local-value strategy holds a narrow lead, but Heystek's offshore picks are closing fast. With 16 months to go, the race reveals hard truths about markets, fund managers and the surprising resilience of SA equities.

In today's BizNews Briefing: Bain & Co exits South Africa after Zondo fallout; Athol Trollip lays charges against Paul O'Sullivan amid a feud over whistleblower General Mkwanazi. Magnus Heystek and Piet Viljoen go head-to-head in a R1 million investment duel. Sarah Burger clears her name. And Donald Trump strikes a surprise EU tariff deal, before turning his sights on Vladimir Putin.

After 17 traumatic months, forensics attorney Sarah Burger has been vindicated - and is free from prosecution and persecution. She was arrested after uncovering massive corruption at Fort Hare University and ended up in the dock alongside some of those she had investigated. Now that all the charges against her have been withdrawn, Burger warns of consequences for those involved in the gross miscarriage of justice. “…the police and the NPA hold very, very powerful positions over people's lives and freedom of movement. And when you are abused in a process like this and as a legal practitioner, looking at this unfolding and feeling completely powerless, you want to say to yourself, gee, what an abuse of that unlevel playing field. So I believe that it is important from an integrity point of view, that these people come and answer at any committee, whether it's the Ethics Committee at the NPA or whether it's the Police Portfolio Committee for the police and in the other platforms where I plan to lodge complaints as well.” Meanwhile, Burger has already notified the SAPS that “we will be suing them - and the NPA will in due course hear from me as well”.

ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip has laid criminal charges against forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan after a barrage of threats and accusations. Trollip says he was simply calling for urgent investigation into police corruption, but won't be intimidated from doing his job as an MP. Trollip spoke to BizNews' Alec Hogg.

In today's BizNews Briefing, Trump secures a last-minute tariff deal with the EU, while President Ramaphosa downplays the Jackson Bill's threat of ANC sanctions. Security expert Brad Steyn says Ramaphosa is trapped by the ANC's secrets. Sakeliga CEO Piet le Roux critiques Cyril's BEE stance, and Wayne Sussman analyses the Patriotic Alliance's by-election win over the DA. Plus, OpenAI's Sam Altman reveals new ChatGPT ambitions.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is “a prisoner of his own party secrets”. So says former double agent and Mandela spy, Brad Steyn, who was Neil de Beer's brother-in-arms. Steyn - who is now an independent security expert - gives the backstory to Ramaphosa's rise and reveals the role played by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu - now on special leave. Hailing the bravery of SAPS whistleblower General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Steyn describes how other police generals were burnt when they spoke truth to power. He expresses concern that incoming Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia is “just another cadre deployment”. Commenting on deepening factions in the African National Congress (ANC) as top members jockey to be the party's next leader, Steyn labels Deputy President Paul Mashatile an “absolutle nightmare” - and says: “what we are witnessing isn't democracy, it's survival and contest for the corrupt elites… and every move is shadowed by dirty money, spy games, and fears of prosecution”. As for the raging diplomatic war between the US and SA, he says: “South Africa is punching way above their diplomatic weight and way below our ethical belt… we've weaponised transformation into a tender cartel and now the world's pulling back the curtain - and you can't blame them.” He fingers BRICS as a “big, big obstacle” and says it is “not a moral alliance”, but “an opportunistic economic bloc…built on double standards and dirty deals, back ends…bribes.”

Behind successful films is an army of people creating the magic we see on screen. In the case of animated films, that means 24 painstaking frames per second to bring characters to life — ones our kids and we have come to love. One of those creators is a South African born in Pretoria who moved from satellite imagery at CSIR to become a digital effects artist at Pixar. Ferdi Scheepers has worked on The Incredibles, Toy Story, and most recently, Disney's sci-fi adventure Elio. Now on his 19th film for Pixar, he told Biznews in an interview that he was also part of the team behind Piper, the Oscar-winning short that took home Best Animated Short Film in 2017.

The Patriotic Alliance (PA) scored a shock win last night over the Democratic Alliance (DA) in a Paarl in a ward where it got 43% of the vote after getting only 1% there in 2021. Elections analyst Wayne Sussman tells BizNews: “…this means that Gayton McKenzie and the Patriotic Alliance are edging closer and closer to the City of Cape Town. If they can win seats off the DA in the DA stronghold of Mossel Bay, in places like Amstelhof Paarl, what can they do to the Democratic Alliance in the City of Cape Town? So, I would sense that there's great concern for the DA at DA headquarters today.” The PA win came despite the suspension of PA Deputy President Kenny Kunene after he was found at the Sandton home of a murder suspect. Sussman says: “ I think that this will have no impact on the PA in the Western Cape or the Northern Cape or the Eastern Cape. However, in Gauteng, this could present a challenge… …to the PA amongst its Black voters.” In other by-election results, Sussman comments on the African National Congress (ANC) seeing its vote share fall to 37% in a ward in the traditional stronghold of Sebokeng. “So this is major turbulence, major upheaval in a core Gauteng township. And I believe that this basically could be a harbinger of things to come in the next local government elections.”

In today's BizNews Briefing, tensions rise as the US House Foreign Affairs Committee advances sanctions legislation against ANC leaders over ties with Russia and China. The Hudson Institute's Joshua Meservey warns South Africa's stance on Taiwan further strains US relations. Former SAPS General Johann Beukes reacts to the long-delayed suspension of Advocate Andrew Chauke. Plus, the Trump administration unveils a bold AI development push, Google grapples with AI-driven ad risks, and a former Tesla exec says the company is falling behind.

The US's punitive Jackson Bill, which threatens harsh punishment for South Africa including personal financial sanctions on leading ANC members, has taken another big step towards becoming law. Its sponsor, former White House medical chief Ronny Jackson, celebrated its passing through the committee stage by tweeting that it will give President Trump “the tools necessary to hold their corrupt government accountable.” Joshua Meservey, a senior fellow at Washington's prestigious Hudson Institute, provides context in this interview with BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Former SAPS General Johan Booysen, the honest cop who was publicly harassed and then suspended for doing his job too well, shares his insights into the long-overdue suspension of political-appointment Adv Andrew Chauke. He also provides context on fellow KZN top cop Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's bombshell disclosures of abuses by criminals and their puppet politicians that have numerous parallels to Booysen's own experiences. Gen Booysen spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

In today's BizNews Briefing, a US-SA sanctions bill has advanced from the US House Committee, potentially targeting ANC officials. President Ramaphosa's sacking of Education Minister Nkabane has eased GNU tensions before a key budget vote, though Nkabane insists she's innocent. US President Trump accuses Fed Chair Powell of politically motivated high rates, calling him a “numskull”. Republican Ralph Norman says Epstein files will be released soon. Nigeria's economy gets a 30% paper upgrade, but still trails South Africa. And Joburg residents fight park “alienation”.

Zingiswa Losi, president of COSATU, reflects on her landmark visit to the White House, where she defended South Africa's labour voice and addressed US trade tensions. In this powerful interview, she discusses AGOA, the threat of tariffs, and the critical need for unity between business, labour, and government to protect jobs and reset diplomatic relations.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has been slammed for the “unacceptable inconsistency” he shows in firing members of his Cabinet. In this interview with BizNews, Wayne Duvenage of OUTA says: “… you look at our President and you ask him: do you understand what you do to the trust in government?” Duvenage was commenting on the sacking of Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane over her handling of controversial politically-linked appointments to CETA boards. Duvenage points out that while the sacked minister is not corrupt, others accused of corruption like former Justice Minister Thembi Simelane - who was just moved to Human Settlements, is still in the Cabinet. Yet, The Democratic Alliance's Andrew Whitfield was sacked as Deputy Trade Minister for failing in his efforts to get permission from the President to travel abroad. “So we have a compromised president with his political party members who actually do not want to see a highly effective criminal justice system. They don't, it's not in their favour.” Meanwhile, Duvenage warns that the new Higher Education Minister, Buti Manamela, is taking over “probably the most corrupt network in government in this country”.

In today's BizNews Briefing, OUTA's Wayne Duvenage slams axed Minister Nobuhle Nkabane for hiding corruption in a board appointment scandal. At the same time, Freedom Front Plus' Corné Mulder says her sacking was inevitable due to dodged oversight. Action Society's Juanita du Preez decries trust erosion amid Police Ministry scandals. William Saunderson-Meyer urges a no-confidence motion against Ramaphosa. While RW Johnson critiques Ramaphosa's G20 missteps, isolating South Africa. Israel's Syria strike catches Trump off guard, and Tesla's Optimus robot serves at its Hollywood diner.

As the crisis in the South African Police Ministry and the Police Service is deepening, Juanita Du Preez of Action Society tells BizNews “We don't know who to trust.” She gives her take on all the latest drama: Brian Mogotsi, the alleged associate of the Police Minister and well-known campaigner for the Cyril Ramaphosa presidency, claiming he is actually an undercover cop; Police Minister Senzo Mchunu - who is supposed to be on special leave - being on the African National Congress campaign trail and reminding black generals in the police that they were appointed by his party; the incoming Acting Police Minister, Firoz Cachalia, seemingly taking a swipe at whistleblower General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi by saying that giving the police license to kill is not the answer to dealing with crime; and rumours that the general himself was on the brink of arrest by IPID, and that the Political Killings Task Team wanted to arrest the Minister and the Deputy National Commissioner… “…there are disinformation campaigns running as we speak because people have to cover their backs…if the rot didn't start at the top, then there wouldn't have been a need for for all these rumours to to swirl around…having an inquiry…where everybody gets to cover their tracks and create new alliances is not the way to solve it.”

Veteran columnist William Saunderson-Meyer joins Alec Hogg to discuss South Africa's mounting political crisis, faltering leadership under Cyril Ramaphosa, and the crumbling promise of the GNU. With 32 years of insight from his "Jaundiced Eye" column, Saunderson-Meyer explores rising public discontent, institutional decay, and the urgent need for political change.

In today's BizNews Briefing, the Walter and Albertina Sisulu Foundation urges President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down over alleged inaction on corruption. Ramaphosa defends his record during the presidency budget vote, including his handling of Minister Senzo Mchunu. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana confirms negotiations are underway to reverse looming 30% US tariffs. Plus, Netflix beats earnings forecasts, but investor jitters cause shares to dip.

Fall-out from the bombshell dropped by General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the dangers of whistleblowing in South Africa are back in the spotlight. On the latest Sunday Show, journalist Chris Steyn speaks to Forensic Attorney Sarah Burger about the killings, character assassinations and income destruction of whistleblowers who expose politicians and the politically connected. “I believe that a lot of the prominent whistleblowers in South Africa have been politically targeted. And that is why they sit 10 years on without any movement in those matters and without, for instance, larger accounting firms being held accountable. So there is a lot of political interference.” Burger says one of the reasons there is a lack of reforms to protect whistleblowers is to ensure instead that corrupt politicians and their associates stay protected. “Absolutely, it is not in their interest to stop feeding…” Burger also describes the horrors being endured by her and top Labour Lawyer Bradley Conradie after they had spent years reporting and exposing malfeasance and corruption at Fort Hare University. “…last year in 2024, shortly before the ANC and the elections and the campaigning took place, myself and Bradley were arrested in a militarised fashion, discredited, intimidated, embarrassed - and all of the good work that we did there over four and six years now hangs in the balance.” Despite currently fighting an epic legal battle for professional survival, Burger urges whistleblowers to keep exposing corruption.

Springbok forward Nomsa Mokwai doesn't just hit hard on the rugby field for the Women rugby team - she also resuscitates patients in a Cape Town emergency room. With 13 Test caps to her name and a gruelling schedule that sees her swapping scrums for 12-hour ER shifts, Mokwai is one of many women juggling full-time work with national duty. At 32, she's gunning for a spot in the squad heading to Twickenham for the 2025 World Cup - even if that means sacrificing family time and sleep. In an interview with BizNews, Mokwai shares how she balances life on the frontlines of medicine and sport, and why she hopes to trade her stethoscope for a full-time medical degree once her rugby career winds down.

A new report from the Middle East Africa Research Institute (MEARI) warns that South Africa's deepening relationship with Iran carries significant consequences—undermining democratic values and threatening strategic interests, particularly with the United States.In an interview with BizNews, MEARI's Benji Shulman expands on the report's findings, raising the alarm over what he sees as a troubling alignment with an authoritarian regime. He argues that South Africa's engagement with Iran risks damaging its constitutional integrity and jeopardising trade with the US, where Iran is increasingly viewed as a hostile actor. Shulman also details the ANC's historical and financial ties to Iran, including alleged funding linked to South Africa's International Court of Justice case against Israel, and MTN's business interests in Iran's cellular market. While Iran gains a rare ally in the Global South, Shulman questions what South Africa stands to gain—suggesting the relationship may be less about diplomacy and more about the Ramaphosa government being part of a strategic alignment against Israel and the United States.

There have been “very, very few signs of a military coup or a revolution in South Africa” , says Elections Analyst Wayne Sussman in his latest interview on BizNews. He was reacting to a coup being one of the key threats listed in the National Security Strategy report for 2024 - 2028. “I can't think of an actor in our Defense Force who'd be positioned to be able to lead a coup,” he says. However, Sussman agrees that some of the other key threats identified are real challenges. He says the assassinations of key figures in the lead-up to elections “means that we won't attract good people into politics, won't attract good people to stick their heads up and get involved with business leaders or civil society leaders”. He agrees that sabotage too is a big threat that has “metastasised through the mafias we see over the country, blocking economic growth, blocking infrastructure spend, blocking service delivery”. Sussman further gives an in-depth analysis of the latest by-election results and previews upcoming by-elections that could set the tone for the 2026 municipal elections.

In the most recent annual assessment of trade relationships, the US listed three pages of ‘non-tariff barriers' imposed by South Africa, whose exports currently enter America duty-free. From August 1, Trump Tariffs will make SA goods 40% more expensive for Americans. Trade expert, former WTO senior official Johann Human rates the chances of SA avoiding Trump Tariffs at ‘zero' and in this powerful interview, says unless Pretoria starts to take US objections, SA goods will soon be priced out of the world's biggest marketplace, with a devastating impact on employment. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

In today's BizNews Briefing, Prince Mashele slams Cyril Ramaphosa in a fiery SMWX interview; the ANC accuses the DA of undermining national interests amid tensions with the US. Alec Hogg hears from KZN exporters facing 40% tariffs and Dr Frans Cronje on why Helen Zille as Joburg mayor could be a political masterstroke. Minister Solly Malatse discusses Starlink's South African prospects, and Trump denies plotting to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

National Business Chamber chair Melanie Veness, whose day job is CEO of the PMB & Midlands Chamber, says whistleblowing Gen Nhalnha Mkhwanazi is fully supported on the ground in KZN. She says efforts by the provincial head of SAPS have been successful in turning the tide against crime and corruption - and that his disclosures of corrupt MPs being in cahoots with criminals is no surprise in a province wracked by the consequences of endemic corruption. She also shares suggestions for exporters struggling to see a future with 40% export tariffs looming. Veness spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi should be protected. So says Moira Campbell, the joint interim leader at Corruption Watch. “…we are concerned about the victimisation of Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi….it took a lot for him to come forward…We must get to the bottom of this - and he should be protected in the process.” Meanwhile, Campbell has some hope that the Commission of Inquiry - appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate allegations of underworld links between politicians, cops and crime lords - might be more effective than previous commissions of inquiry. “…the high level nature of these allegations will make it quite difficult to circumvent any kind of attempts to derail the commission”. She describes how Corruption Watch has “for a long time been concerned about the infiltration of criminal syndicates into police structures…at different levels”, and did make submissions to the Zondo Commission back in 2019 already. However, despite a recommendation in the Zondo Commission report that it should be investigated, that did not happen. “…we might have avoided such a situation if those investigations had begun to sort of unravel the criminal links…the fact that these allegations have come to light now, almost forces the hand of the government to actually address this. But, we've lost a lot of time, we've lost opportunities and… it's more than regrettable. It's actually a real failure on the part of our leadership.”

Political scientist Dr Frans Cronjé unpacks South Africa's rapid transformation, Helen Zille's potential mayoral bid, ANC factionalism, and looming US tariffs. In conversation with Alec Hogg, he highlights both crisis and opportunity, urging bold leadership and investment reforms to steer the nation towards recovery and sustainable growth.

With just two weeks to go before 30% tariffs are likely to come into effect on the 1st of August, it has emerged that President Cyril Ramaphosa's Special Envoy Mcebisi Jonas has not even been able to get into the US because his diplomatic visa was denied and his credentials rejected. In this interview with BizNews, Emma Powell, the Democratic Alliance's spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation, warns that South Africa is “hurtling towards disaster at a rapid rate” while “once again, the “Presidency and the President's Envoy are missing in action”. Powell charges that President Cyril Ramaphosa is most likely saving face by retaining this Special Envoy despite the diplomatic visa having been rejected, despite the US having informed the Presidency that they will not engage with Jonas. “So, it's my contention here that President Ramaphosa is more invested in saving face than he is in acting in the national interest in ensuring that we get a deal across the line by the 1st of August.” Powell examines the possible reasons for the US' rejection of Jonas, as well his appointment in the first place. Meanwhile, she warns, “hundreds of thousands of jobs are on the line”.

In today's BizNews Briefing, with US tariffs looming, DA's Emma Powell warns SA faces a diplomatic crisis as Ramaphosa's envoy falters. Corruption Watch's Moira Campbell discusses whistleblower protections for General Mkhwanazi post-explosive revelations. Minister Gayton McKenzie gears up for a bombshell testimony. Investors flock to catastrophe bonds as climate risks rise, while Tesla enters India's car market and ASML rides the AI boom.

In a wide-ranging and provocative address to the Rotary Club of Hermanus, BizNews founder Alec Hogg unpacks why 'First Principle Thinking', championed by Elon Musk, is the key to solving South Africa's biggest challenges in governance, media, and the economy.

In today's BizNews Briefing, US President Donald Trump has warned Russia of 100% secondary tariffs unless a Ukraine deal is reached within 50 days, while pledging advanced US weapons to Ukraine, with NATO footing the bill. Meanwhile, RW Johnson says Trump's push to exempt US firms from South Africa's BEE laws has exposed its economic flaws. Nvidia resumes H20 chip exports to China, and Bitcoin hits $122,000 as US lawmakers eye pro-crypto legislation. Neil de Beer urges South Africans to drive change from the streets.

In today's BizNews Briefing, Cyril Ramaphosa places Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on leave amid organised crime allegations. Ian Cameron says Ramaphosa missed a chance to tackle SA's crime crisis, while John Steenhuisen questions why other corrupt ministers remain untouched. Also in this episode: praise for top cop Mkwanazi, Kganyago on inflation targets, and Nvidia's meteoric Wall Street surge.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has missed a “golden opportunity to draw the line in the sand” with regards to organised crime. So says Democratic Alliance (DA) Spokesperson on Police, Ian Cameron, in his reaction to the President's appointment of a Commmissioner of Inquiry to investigate allegations of links between the underworld and the police and politicians. “For us to reach this level of criminality and specifically with regards to organised crime, the only way to get there is essentially through serious State involvement, specific stakeholders in government playing a role to facilitate organised criminal activity…. So, the frustrated look on the President's face last night or the so-called surprise of, wow, is this happening? It's absolute nonsense. They've known about it for so long. And it's because a decision was never made, because there wasn't any form of backbone to actually resolve the issue that we are in the position that we are in now.” Meanwhile there is a “massive information war” raging. “…We mustn't forget that this isn't just a matter of good versus evil. There are significant factional battles inside the South African Police Service, the majority of it being linked to some form or another of politics…,” he adds.

In this wide-ranging interview, Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago speaks to Bronwyn Nielsen ahead of the impact of the Trump tariffs on Asa's agricultural and auto sector, the push to modernise payments, and why central banks are struggling to model a future clouded by global uncertainty. Kganyago also unpacks opportunistic disinflation, interest rate scenario planning, and what's needed to finally get South Africa's economic “orchestra” playing in tune.

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is “not scared of all types of bombs”. So says former police commander Willem Els, who is now with the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) as Senior Training Coordinator in the ENACT organised crime programme. Els tells BizNews that the “bomb” dropped by the General last Sunday took “tremendous courage”. Els, who trained the General in Bomb Disposal, described him as a”disciplined officer, a straight talker, a straight shooter, a straight walking” officer who is doing “the right thing as a policeman in his heart, in his actions…”, stressing: “He's a policeman in heart and down to the bone.” Apart from training the General, Els also worked with him on s number of foreign missions, and the two even had to “hot extract” former President Thabo Mbeki and then Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma from a coup in Haiti. They also worked together in Mozambique “where we lifted arms caches and destroyed huge, huge numbers of arms and munitions”, as well as in Equatorial Guinea in preparation of an African Union Summit. Els warns that it would “hurt” President Cyril Ramaphosa “very much” if he deals with the general's allegations of police-underworld links by using the “old playbook that the ANC (African National Congress) has been using ever since they came to power”. As for threats that black and white citizens could even riot together if the KZN general is not treated right, Els notes there are people who say “we might see a repeat of 2021 if people feel that they're not being listened to…”