While you were asleep

Are we going to play a meaningful role in the ending of the war in Ukraine through mediation with Russia? President Cyril Ramaphosa called Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday to better gain an understanding of the ‘situation’ between Russia and Ukraine, Ramaphosa fell short of calling it an invasion or a war. On his …

While you were asleep: South Africa to help end the war in Ukraine? Don’t bet on it Read More »

It was supposed to come to an end at 5:00 this morning but on Tuesday, Eskom extended load shedding to Saturday morning. Chief financial officer Calib Cassim said the power utility would soon reach a point where it would no longer be able to pay for emergency diesel to keep turbines running. To make matters …

While you were asleep: Rising costs hit Eskom hard, more load shedding on the way Read More »

As long as the war rages on in Ukraine, we can expect rising costs to pinch our wallets but fear-mongering around rising fuel prices that could hit R40/L to fill up your car’s petrol tank is unfounded say, local economists. The price of Brent crude oil has surged in recent weeks and topped $140 a …

While you were asleep: Fuel price increases likely to be far less dramatic than initially thought Read More »

As if we haven’t been hit by enough rising costs – the war in Ukraine threatens to hit our pockets even harder with surging global oil prices due to the threat of a lack of supply and a failure to meet demand. Brent crude surged almost 10% on Sunday evening to $130 a barrel and …

While you were asleep: War in Ukraine could see fuel price double Read More »

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of “nuclear terror” and said Russia wanted to cause another Chernobyl level disaster after Russian forces attacked a nuclear plant in Ukraine. Zelensky begged Western leaders not to let Europe suffer a nuclear disaster and said “no country other than Russia has ever fired on nuclear power units” …

While you were asleep: Zelensky pleads for help amid Russian “nuclear terror” Read More »

Turning our attention to Russia this morning, reports indicate that the Southern Ukrainian city of Kherson has fallen to Russian forces in what is now the most significant gain for the Russians as they continue with their invasion of a sovereign neighbouring country. Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city remains under heavy Russian bombardment while the capital …

While you were asleep: Russia gains momentum in Ukraine while SA abstains from UN resolution vote Read More »

We now have all the pieces of the State Capture puzzle with the release of the third report compiled from the evidence given at the Zondo Commission. Part three focuses entirely on the corrupt dealings of Bosasa and some of the central figures that benefited from the company’s bribes. The report found that Bosasa was …

While you were asleep: Bosasa corruption outlined in Part 3 of Zondo report Read More »

Outgoing National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Investigating Directorate (ID) boss Hermione Cronje served her last day in the job on Monday. Today, there’s already a new person helming the desk. It was an uncharacteristically decisive bit of action from Cyril Ramaphosa last night with Advocate Andrea Johnson appointed to the position by the president. Johnson comes …

While you were asleep: Ramaphosa moves to appoint Hermione Cronje’s successor at NPA, fuel price hike tomorrow Read More »

Investors have again run for cover in safe havens after President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s nuclear deterrence forces on high alert and the West imposed even heavier sanctions on Moscow. While locally, the government is embroiled in its own internal tug of war on Russia, the big question is would Putin press the nuclear button? BBC News reports Nobel Peace Prize laureate …

While you were asleep: From nuclear to safe havens and Elon Musk picking a side Read More »

Ukraine is fighting for its survival after a total onslaught from the Russian military who were given the green light by President Vladimir Putin to invade Ukrainian territory on Thursday morning in what Putin called a “special military operation”. It is unclear what Putin’s ultimate war goals are, but they seem to be ambitious as …

While you were asleep: Explosions and ongoing fighting in Kyiv, but Ukrainian president vows to remain in the capital city Read More »