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The United States is willing to “fortify” South Africa as it has moved from “latent fragility to being very fragile” and “moving in the direction of failure”. However, it would need to see “positive steps” and “genuine earnest attempts” from SA. So says a former diplomat to both the National Party and the African National Congress governments, Dr Edward Mienie, who is now a professor with the University of North Georgia in Atlanta. “I've never seen…the diplomatic relations between the two countries at such a low point - even during the dark years of Apartheid.” Dr Mienie says President Cyril Ramaphosa is viewed as a leader who is “taking care of his own interests, taking care of the ANC first and foremost, taking care of those that support him personally within the structure”, but not as taking care of the interests of all South Africans. Meanwhile, he expresses concern about how the ANC government would react towards an outright loss in the next general election. “And I'm even more concerned about who's going to be taking over as the ruling party at that stage.” He urges the Democratic Alliance to take “a stronger stance, to embrace morals and ethics in a more visible way”

Alec Hogg's daily update which is embedded in the BizNews Premium newsletter - covering the day's news you need to know.

At BNIC#2 in Hermanus, John Endres, CEO of the Institute of Race Relations, warned that the ANC is at risk of sudden collapse as legitimacy drains and economic stagnation worsens. Drawing parallels to the fall of East Germany and Romania's Ceausescu, Endres argued that the ANC must choose between "bending" — abandoning fake transformation and embracing real economic reform — or "breaking," risking further decline, instability, and dangerous coalitions with extremists. He urged business leaders to reject race-based policies and amplify the call for genuine transformation that delivers growth, jobs, and prosperity. This BizNews production is brought to you by Brenthurst Wealth. Building wealth and protecting legacies since 2004. Invest Better with Brenthurst: https://www.bwm.co.za/.

Explosive testimony at the Madlanga Commission reveals how drug cartels have infiltrated South Africa's power structures, with shocking claims of political protection and evidence of deep criminal capture. At Tembisa Hospital, the SIU exposes a staggering R2bn fraud network—vindicating whistleblower Babita Deokaran, who paid with her life. Meanwhile, the gold sector reels as Mark Bristow makes a shock exit from Barrick, even as bullion hits record highs

Alec Hogg's daily update which is embedded in the BizNews Premium newsletter - covering the day's news you need to know.

In this interview, BizNews editor Alec Hogg takes a deep dive into lessons learned during the incredible journey of Blue Label co-founder and co-CEO Brett Levy. At 28, he was once the youngest CEO of any JSE-listed company when he and brother Mark too the company public. Now worth R11 billion, Brett's journey has been defined by Blue Label's R5.5bn acquisition of debt-laden CellC SA's third-largest mobile company. This deal caused acute indigestion, lasting seven years, and required the entire purchase price to be written off. An older and wiser Levy shares how both Blue Label and Cell C have emerged stronger from the challenges - and are poised for a magical future.

At BNIC#2 in Hermanus, the “three amigos"—VF Plus leader Corné Mulder, NEASA CEO Gerhard Papenfus and SAAI executive director Theo de Jager—unpacked their recent Washington swing and what it means for South Africa. Framing a "leadership vacuum" at home, they delivered a positive but unsparing brief to US officials on the NDR, BEE, EWC and rural security, saying America wants trade, not aid—yet sees non-tariff political barriers. De Jager warned that US tariffs are hammering high-value farm exports, urging relief that "doesn't punish the good." Papenfus said targeted sanctions could change the game but risk backlash. Mulder argued the ANC won't self-correct; ballot-box coalitions and devolution are the path. The trio's verdict: keep pressure, grow trade, and let civil society drive "corridor diplomacy." This BizNews production is brought to you by Brenthurst Wealth. Building wealth and protecting legacies since 2004. Invest Better with Brenthurst: https://www.bwm.co.za/.

In this in-depth BizNews interview, Sasol CEO Simon Baloyi reflects on South Africa's energy turnaround, why business must partner with government to fix power, logistics and crime, and how Sasol is balancing coal-based production with renewables in its decarbonisation journey. From cutting debt to tackling Joburg's visible infrastructure collapse, Baloyi shares his long road from Secunda engineer to the top office — and why his legacy must be one of restoration and significance

Cybercriminals are using sophisticated AI deepfakes and cloned websites to scam unsuspecting South Africans out of their savings. In this revealing interview, forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan joins Alec Hogg to unpack a recent scam, explain how these syndicates operate, and share practical tips to protect yourself. If it sounds too good to be true - it probably is.

South Africa's crime crisis deepens as explosive testimony at the Madlanga Commission and sharp warnings from policing experts put the ANC under pressure. The DA reveals its mayoral candidate for eThekwini, promising a clean-up of Durban's embattled metro. And on the global front, 18,000 newly unearthed Epstein emails expose fresh links between the disgraced financier and a network of powerful elites.

Fraudsters using AI to scam investors with a fake BizNews interview featuring Helen Zille and Chris Steyn. The inside story of almost two weeks of testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry from former police officer Willem Els who is now with the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). And Renaldo Gouws on his re-entry into politics. These are the topics on today's NdB Sunday Show with Chris Steyn. Els hails KZN Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for doing a “good job” in the presentation of his evidence. He notes the huge pressure National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola was under when he arrived to testify. He calls the “very direct” testimony of Major-General Petronella Van Rooyen, Head of Governance at SAPS Legal Services, a “game changer”. As for the propaganda war raging around the key players, Els says: “I think the gloves are off…after…a week and a half of testimony, some damning evidence was tabled. And I think now it's going to heat up.” On the possible outcome, Els says: “…at the end of the day, I think the hope of South Africa is that we get to the bottom of this and that this can be the first step in starting to take back our streets from criminals and the restoration of the rule of law.”

Investigative journalists Pauli van Wyk and Micah Reddy join Alec Hogg to unpack their explosive new book Malema, Money, Power, Patronage. From VBS to dodgy metros and shell companies, the authors reveal how Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu built a patronage empire — and why South Africa's broken justice system has failed to hold them accountable. Already in its second print before official launch, the book has been called a “must-read” and a blueprint for prosecutors who may one day bring the EFF leadership to book

Betway SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith tells BizNews how the latest auction broke records with Brevis and Markram fetching millions, while more than R22m was spent on under-23 talent. With sold-out stadiums, global broadcast deals, and 700 schools now in the pipeline, Smith says SA20 is more than a tournament — it's the engine driving cricket's revival in South Africa

Neal Froneman reflects on his upcoming retirement as CEO of Sibanye-Stillwater, sharing insights on leadership, value creation, and the future of South Africa's mining sector. In a candid conversation with Bronwyn Nielsen, he discusses personal passions, stakeholder capitalism, and the urgent need for political and policy reform to unlock South Africa's economic potential. A thoughtful look at legacy and renewal.

At BNIC#2 in Hermanus, RECM founder Piet Viljoen delivered a candid Q&A covering everything from South Africa's political risks to global investing lessons. While acknowledging the country's troubling politics, he insisted South Africa is not Zimbabwe, citing strong civil society as a protective force. Viljoen warned against local companies' “stupid” offshore acquisitions, praised entrepreneurs like Jannie Mouton, and argued energy is the best way to play the AI boom. A long-term Bitcoin accumulator, he stressed the need for patience, scepticism, and resilience in investing — principles he drew from Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger. This BizNews production is brought to you by Brenthurst Wealth. Building wealth and protecting legacies since 2004. Invest Better with Brenthurst: https://www.bwm.co.za/.

From the wilds of Idaho, mining analyst Peter Major joins Alec Hogg to unpack the week's big mining stories. With Botswana and Angola eyeing stakes in De Beers, Anglo American suddenly has options it never expected. Glencore is pulling back from the Congo as cobalt prices tumble, while silver edges back into the spotlight — even if South Africa has little of it to mine. Plus, Peter explains why Orion and Core Potash could be the quiet winners for patient investors.

Alec Hogg's daily update which is embedded in the BizNews Premium newsletter - covering the day's news you need to know.

At BNIC#2 in Hermanus, Brenthurst Wealth founder Magnus Heystek rejected the “Dr Doom” label, describing himself as “realistically honest” about South Africa's economic trajectory. He warned that trillions have been wiped out through municipal collapse in the country's northern regions, even as the Western Cape attracts wealth through governance and lifestyle appeal. Heystek argued that only a radical policy reset — restoring property rights and pro-business confidence — could bring offshore wealth back. On investment strategy, he pointed to agriculture, tourism, Cape property, gold, and Japan as promising areas, while stressing the importance of knowledge, long-term discipline, and not succumbing to market doomsayers. This BizNews production is brought to you by Brenthurst Wealth. Building wealth and protecting legacies since 2004. Invest Better with Brenthurst: https://www.bwm.co.za/.

At BNIC#2 in Hermanus, legendary value investor Piet Viljoen shared his “Cockroach Portfolio” philosophy—a strategy built not on forecasts, but on survival. Viljoen argued that true wisdom in investing begins with admitting “we don't know anything” about the future. Risk metrics, he warned, are “cargo cult science,” extrapolating the past without predictive power. Instead, his approach rests on three certainties: stay invested to benefit from compounding, diversify meaningfully (even into assets that cause discomfort), and reduce volatility to preserve returns. His Cockroach Portfolio balances cash, bonds, equities, and hard assets in equal parts, creating resilience against any economic environment. For Viljoen, success in wealth-building—like rugby championships—comes from strong defence, not flashy plays. This BizNews production is brought to you by Brenthurst Wealth. Building wealth and protecting legacies since 2004. Invest Better with Brenthurst: https://www.bwm.co.za/.

If the Democratic Alliance (DA) icon Helen Zille is elected Mayor of Jo'burg, she will have to overcome huge obstacles to achieve the turn-around promised. In this interivew with BizNews, independent commentator Jonathan Katzenellenbogen says if the DA gets the projected 35% in the local elections, it would have to form a coalition with probably the African National Congress (ANC) that is projected to get 23%. If Zille then starts cutting staff "dramatically", the ANC could turn to the “fellow comrade parties” like the Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) and MKP. “And the ANC can very easily form a Doomsday Coalition with them…” Katzenellenbogen warns that it's going to be “a very hard push” for Zille because of the ANC's “vested interests...the City of Johannesburg is a Patronage Machine". However, should Zille overcome these obstacles and the necessary massive budget is sourced, it would still take about 10 years to restore the City of Gold to its former glory. And if Zille fails to get elected, “big business will have to come in…and confront the council, confront the Mayor, confront the ANC and the Cabinet and say basically this can't continue, it's gone too far. We have got to come and play a role, we'll set up this body and we'll basically run the city. We will make sure that these departments run well….”

In today's BizNews Briefing, Helen Zille's mayoral bid stirs debate as coalition politics shift. Remgro CEO Jannie Durand shares survival strategies while warning against expropriation without compensation. Magnus Heystek explains offshore investing's success, Trump at the UN assembly, Apple eyes Intel, Barloworld struggles, and Sun International wins approval for a new Somerset West casino.

Remgro CEO Jannie Durand tells BizNews why the group's five-year strategy is finally paying off, with earnings and dividends up more than 30% and a special payout for shareholders. From taking Distell private with Heineken, to navigating Vodacom's massive deal, to sitting on a cash pile while SA Inc struggles, Durand explains how Remgro is positioning for long-term growth - and why property rights and pro-growth policies remain critical for South Africa's future

Many South Africans have stories of driving into a cow or hitting a kudu driving at night in rural areas causing extensive damages to vehicles and it can turn into personal tragedy. Motivated by personal loss, a young South African, Memphis Kaotsane started working on a solution to make animals visible at night. He invented Moonshine reflective spray that can make animals visible up to 200 metres away. In an interview with Biznews, Kaotsane said he is now ready to scale to wildlife and cyclists and his vision is to export first to Africa and then further afield. With a homegrown solutions with global potential, Kaotsane is keen to shine a light towards better road safety.

At BNIC#2 in Hermanus, Brenthurst Wealth founder and director Magnus Heystek opened the conference with a provocative keynote titled "You've Never Had It So Good." Tracing South Africa's journey from strict exchange controls and clunky trading systems to today's global investment opportunities, Heystek argued that offshore investing has not only built wealth but also granted South Africans the freedom to stay rooted at home while securing their financial futures. He highlighted the massive outperformance of global portfolios versus local funds, the empowerment of technology-driven investing, and the importance of estate planning as wealth moves abroad. This BizNews production is brought to you by Brenthurst Wealth. Building wealth and protecting legacies since 2004. Invest Better with Brenthurst: https://www.bwm.co.za/.

Once a telecom underdog, CELL C is making a bold comeback - and Blue Label Telecoms is powering the revival. With a debt-free future, niche market dominance, and an IPO on the horizon, investors are watching closely. Sharenet portfolio manager Dylan Bradfield unpacks why this could be one of South Africa's most compelling turnaround stories.

At BNIC#2 in Hermanus, entrepreneur and outspoken activist Rob Hersov delivered a wide-ranging Q&A that touched on the potential of Patrice Motsepe as South Africa's president, the paralysis of Cyril Ramaphosa, and why Cape independence is improbable but federalisation viable. Hersov praised Motsepe's integrity and business acumen, blasted the ANC's culture of mutual compromise, and called for stronger protection of whistleblowers. He also offered bold perspectives on Trump's record, America's ties to the Western Cape, the transformative role of AI, and the need for coalitions to shift South Africa in the right direction. This BizNews production is brought to you by Brenthurst Wealth. Building wealth and protecting legacies since 2004. Invest Better with Brenthurst: https://www.bwm.co.za/.

In today's BizNews Breifing: highlights from three keynote speakers at BNIC#2. Prince Mashele says South Africans need to unite across racial boundaries to rescue the country; Hersov declares the nation "uninvestable" under the rule of the ANC; and Dawie Roodt says the digital economy is shifting power away from the state - including in South Africa. Meanwhile, Cell C's dramatic turnaround puts a JSE relisting on the cards, Donald Trump's attack on Tylenol wipes billions off a pharma giant, and Nvidia pours $100bn into ChatGPT's parent company, raising the stakes in the AI arms race.

Alec Hogg's new daily update which is embedded in the BizNews Premium newsletter - covering the day's news you need to know.

At BNIC#2 in Hermanus, Ranmore Fund Management's Sean Peche delivered a sobering warning on global markets, arguing that the US is in "injury time" as passive funds distort valuations and private equity exits stall. He cautioned that while AI is real, history shows revolutionary technologies rarely translate into long-term shareholder wins. Peche pointed to Bitcoin hype, stretched US mega-cap valuations, and the dangers of performance fees, while outlining Ranmore's disciplined approach: focus on value, diversify globally, reduce client fees as the fund scales, and stay humble. His message — don't get swept up in stories, pick the losers, and always be able to sleep at night. This BizNews production is brought to you by Brenthurst Wealth. Building wealth and protecting legacies since 2004. Invest Better with Brenthurst: https://www.bwm.co.za/.

Stanlib chief economist Kevin Lings tells BizNews why Johannesburg's collapse is stifling growth, how Helen Zille's mayoral run could change the city's fortunes, and why South Africans are raiding retirement savings to splurge on clothes and shoes. With inflation steady at 3% but long-term savings under threat, Lings warns the two-pot system is becoming embedded in the economy - a short-term sugar rush with dangerous long-term costs

South African entrepreneur and outspoken capitalist activist Rob Hersov brought BizNews Investment Conference #2 in Hermanus to a fiery close with his trademark no-holds-barred critique of the ANC. Declaring that South Africa is “uninvestable under ANC rule”, Hersov warned that continued investment amounts to gambling with the future. He traced the country's economic decline since 2008, citing failed governance, deindustrialisation, and a debt spiral. Yet, Hersov also outlined where he sees opportunity — gold, Bitcoin, AI ventures, tourism, and Western Cape property. Mixing hard economics with sharp rhetoric, he vowed to keep up pressure on the ANC “until the barbarians leave the gate,” while also calling for South Africa's business and political elites to once again forge a path forward, as they did in the 1980s. This BizNews production is brought to you by Brenthurst Wealth. Building wealth and protecting legacies since 2004. Invest Better with Brenthurst: https://www.bwm.co.za/.

Sakeliga has become involved in a previously low-profile seven-year legal battle over a 34-hectare farm worth an estimated R60m, which was expropriated for nil compensation by the ANC/EFF controlled Ekurhulen Metro. Here's Sakeliga's CEO Piet le Roux who says the case has massive political, economic and social implications.

In this exclusive BizNews interview, Helen Zille opens up about her return to frontline politics as the DA's Johannesburg mayoral candidate. She discusses the city's critical challenges, coalition complexities, and her vision for restoring effective governance. Drawing on her leadership experience, Zille outlines her 100-day plan and makes a compelling case for decisive action to rescue Johannesburg.

In this BizNews Briefing, Helen Zille is announced as the DA's candidate for Johannesburg mayor, sharing her bold vision for the city. Political analyst Frans Cronje calls it the “most consequential political job in the country,” while Zille tackles tough questions about the DA's strategy and government unity. Sakeliga has entered a seven-year battle over a 34-hectare farm, worth R60m, expropriated without compensation by the ANC-EFF Ekurhuleni Metro. Also in focus: Trump signals a possible US government shutdown, Alec Hogg confirms Neil de Beer's Liberty Conference legacy, and Nvidia strikes a $5bn deal with Intel.

One week after the iconic Neil de Beer was laid to rest, BizNews Founder Alec Hogg joins Chris Steyn on the aptly named NdB Sunday Show to announce that Neil's dream of a Liberty Conference will come true on 9 March 2026. The conference that Neil and Alec had already been planning will coincide with the big BNC Eight Conference. On the agenda will be talks and brainstorming on economic liberty, freedom of expression, the rule of law, and sovereignty versus overreach by the State. This will culminate in a group of people being charged to produce the Neil De Beer Freedom Charter. “…we are…going to be guided by Neil's spirit. And I do believe that he was spot on. This was probably the most passionate thing in his life… freedom, the freedom of South Africa and the freedom that so many people had sacrificed so much for, which is now under threat,”says Hogg.

At BNIC#2 in Hermanus, one of the top-performing global fund managers, Sean Peche from Ranmore Fund Management, delivered a sobering analysis of markets, warning that the same factors that once made China “uninvestable” are now surfacing in the United States, from excessive executive compensation to government intervention and broken trust with allies. He cautioned that AI is in a bubble, tech balance sheets are weakening, and market fear could trigger sudden shocks. Yet, Peche stressed that disciplined value investing, finding “diamonds in the dust”, remains the best way to navigate crises and deliver long-term returns. This BizNews production is brought to you by Brenthurst Wealth. Building wealth and protecting legacies since 2004. Invest Better with Brenthurst: https://www.bwm.co.za/.

At BNIC#2 in Hermanus, political commentator Prince Mashele delivered a hard-hitting Q&A session warning that South Africa stands at a historic “realignment moment.” He predicted the ANC will fall below 20% by 2029, with voters eager to punish the party. Mashele urged South Africa's elites to step into politics to replace what he called “scoundrels” in parliament, stressing that only leadership, unity, and meritocracy can rescue the country from collapse. He dismissed Jacob Zuma's MK party as a family rent-collection scheme destined to implode, and argued that black and white South Africans are increasingly ready to co-govern. This BizNews production is brought to you by Brenthurst Wealth. Building wealth and protecting legacies since 2004. Invest Better with Brenthurst: https://www.bwm.co.za/.

At BNIC#2 in Hermanus, author and political commentator Prince Mashele delivered a hard-hitting keynote declaring the ANC's era of dominance over. He argued the party is in its final, chaotic stage—marked by individual looting rather than governance—and predicted at least 15 years of unstable coalition governments. Yet, Mashele was optimistic: South Africa, he said, is small enough to turn around quickly with the right formula—credible leadership, tackling crime, fixing public education, investing in infrastructure, and fostering unity across race. He urged elites from all communities to begin honest dialogue, warning that without action, South Africa risks remaining a “gangster paradise.” This BizNews production is brought to you by Brenthurst Wealth. Building wealth and protecting legacies since 2004. Invest Better with Brenthurst: https://www.bwm.co.za/.

At BNIC#2 in Hermanus, political scientist Frans Cronje warned that the ANC's collapse is both inevitable and avoidable—simple reforms could revive growth and even secure the party's future, yet internal paralysis and structural resistance to change make this unlikely. He described Ramaphosa as a consensus-seeker unsuited to crisis leadership, predicting that rather than saving the ANC, he will preside over its demise. Cronje argued that South Africa faces a fork in the road: either a functional unitary state with easy fixes, or Balkanisation. He also pointed to the Western Cape as a long-term winner regardless of national outcomes. This BizNews production is brought to you by Brenthurst Wealth. Building wealth and protecting legacies since 2004. Invest Better with Brenthurst: https://www.bwm.co.za/.

Fresh from China, veteran mining analyst Peter Major joins Alec Hogg to unpack what he saw on the ground - from jaw-dropping infrastructure to a mining industry firing on all cylinders. He warns that while gold rockets to record highs, South Africa's own mining sector is shackled by policy failure and a broken cadastral system. Plus, we look at Anglo's global battles, Orion's Glencore breakthrough, and why smart investors should keep an eye on copper.

In this interview with BizNews, one former ESKOM CEO, Jacob Maroga, responds to the interview last week with another former CEO, André de Ruyter. He discusses the use - and cost - of coal, solar, gas, and nuclear - and shares outcomes elsewhere in the world. “…the reality that we're going to have to deal with: we're going to have to keep our coal much longer. And we're going to have to do a lot of things to clean up our coal so that from an air quality it's much cleaner,” he says. As for whether load shedding was likely to return, Maroga says: “…I'm confident that we're not going to see the crisis that we've seen with Stage Six load shedding almost every day, but you cannot never say that it will never come back. There may be other reasons that cause it, but I think...we are beyond the worst.”

In his latest appearance on BizNews, Elections Analyst Wayne Sussman dissects the results from the last two rounds of hard by-elections. In Soweto (Emdeni Naledi) the ANC fell sharply from 56% in 2021 to only 34%. “This is an astonishing result, and one which would really worry the ANC greatly,” Sussman says. Over in Durban, the DA won all three of Montclair voting districts, which uMkhonto we Sizwe won just over a year ago - and grew from 56% to 63%. “This is one of the best results they've had.” The PA achieved an historic result by winning their first ever ward (Kou-Kamma) in the Eastern Cape with 48% of the vote. The EFF gave the ANC a “major fright” in the Free State township of Kgotsong where the ANC fell from 54% to 50% while the EFF surged from 25% to 47%. Sussman also previews upcoming by-elections.

Renergen CEO Stefano Marani joins Alec Hogg to unpack the company's acquisition by ASP Isotopes. He explains why the deal makes strategic sense, addresses helium project delays, outlines future plans in critical materials, and reassures investors about long-term value. The conversation highlights South Africa's untapped gas potential and Renergen's pivotal role in global energy and tech supply chains.

Explosive testimony at the Madlanga Commission as KZN's police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi warns that politicians are shielding criminal networks and South Africa's justice system risks collapse. The ANC's NEC scrambles to fix failing municipalities, with Ramaphosa defending lessons from DA-run metros. In business, Renergen secures a Nasdaq buyer in a landmark gas deal, while the Fed's modest rate cut rattles markets - sending gold to record highs before retreating. Plus, China pushes back on Nvidia's latest chips

In a brisk, plain-spoken BNIC#2 Q&A, economist Dawie Roodt argues that South Africa's future prosperity won't be engineered by bureaucracy but built outside it—through skills, private capital, and technology that decouples work from place. He frames Bitcoin as an idea (money as a social construct), pours cold water on gold's fundamentals despite recent gains, and pegs the Rand's fair value near 17 on purchasing-power parity—stronger absent political shocks. With SOEs effectively "privatised by default," he backs full concessioning of Eskom and Transnet, urges a shift from credentials to skills, and warns high debt leaves markets vulnerable to external triggers. The ultimate safeguard, he says, is South Africa's democracy—use it to vote out decay and protect the institutions that remain. This BizNews production is brought to you by Brenthurst Wealth. Building wealth and protecting legacies since 2004. Invest Better with Brenthurst: https://www.bwm.co.za/.

At BNIC#2 in Hermanus, political scientist Frans Cronje delivered a stark but data-driven forecast for South Africa's future. He argued that investor confidence is the critical driver of growth, jobs, and political stability – and warned that unless South Africa lifts fixed investment to emerging-market levels, the country risks fragmenting into self-sufficient enclaves. Cronje outlined a three-step plan: refurbish coal plants to restore electricity, stop taxing capital inflows, and fully concession ports and rail. He added that US investment could catalyse growth, but without reforms the poor face exclusion while elites retreat into secure enclaves. This BizNews production is brought to you by Brenthurst Wealth. Building wealth and protecting legacies since 2004. Invest Better with Brenthurst: https://www.bwm.co.za/.

Piet Viljoen, fund manager of the Merchant West Value Fund, shares his insights into the trend illustrated by today's takeover offer for Metrofile, whose 30-year JSE listing looks to be coming to an end. Viljoen says many JSE-listed companies, especially those worth under R20bn, are “not undervalued….…….in the bargain basement bin” and explains why he expects the growing takeover trend to accelerate. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg

Police General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has filed a R5 million defamation suit against forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan, demanding damages and an apology. But O'Sullivan remains defiant, calling the case a silencing tactic and insisting his claims are rooted in fact. He accuses Mkhwanazi of being “part of the broken criminal justice system” and vows to use the courts to shine a light on deep-seated corruption within SAPS.

In today's BizNews Briefing, Paul O'Sullivan responds to a R5m defamation claim, Washington sharpens anti-ANC pressure, Fort Hare leadership faces mounting scrutiny, and Metrofile's takeover highlights a wave of JSE delistings. Plus: Trump takes aim at shareholders, ATTACQ sees opportunity in SA property gloom, and Ramaphosa praises the DA's Cape Town governance.

“The ANC wants your guns, but not for public safety.” So says Jonathan Deal, the leader of the Safe Citizen Campaign. He warns that if proposed amendments to legislation became law, the effect would be to turn millions of law-abiding South Africans into criminals overnight. “I don't believe that South Africans will hand their firearms in.” Deal points out that South Africans “are being squeezed from all directions”, and warns: “…if the government is going to insist on going down this road, the consequences may well be catastrophic for all South Africans”. Meanwhile, he recalls the role private gun owners played in quelling the 2021 riots in KZN, and says had it not been for that, the “insurrection would have completely engulfed KwaZulu-Natal - and I don't doubt that it would have spread right across the country.” He also slams the “complete dearth of control and accountability” in State organs of looking after their firearms, with some handed in under amnesty or recovered through other means being sold by SAPS officers to gangsters.

Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana yesterday proposed anti-ANC legislation in the US's ‘Upper House' which closely mirrors the Ronny Jackson Bill working its way through the House of Representatives. Breitbart senior editor Joel Pollak, the one-time front-runner to be the US ambassador to SA, provides context on this major development while offering a ray of light for Pretoria on the US/SA trade negotiations. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.