Former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste allegedly committed suicide on a beach in the Western Cape. Western Cape police opened a death inquest for a 63-year-old man who died from a gunshot wound at Hermanus beach. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority fined Jooste R475 million for financial crimes at Steinhoff International Holdings and referred the case for criminal investigation. Jooste and former financial director Dirk Schreiber were found to have made false statements, overstating the business's equity by R38 billion, causing significant losses to creditors and investors. Schreiber is serving a prison sentence in Germany, while Jooste had an arrest warrant issued against him but did not appear in court.

South Africa's legal team presented allegations of genocide against Israel at the International Court of Justice, citing systematic military attacks and deprivation of essentials in Gaza. The case, based on the 1948 Genocide Convention, seeks provisional measures against Israel to prevent further harm to Palestinians. Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu denied the allegations, asserting compliance with international law. The hearings, which include arguments from both South Africa and Israel, aim to address the alleged violations and uphold the rights and obligations to prevent genocide.

Over the past three decades, seven ministers have led South Africa's Department of Police without making significant progress in combating crime. The police force, tainted by its apartheid past and plagued by corruption, has struggled to transform into an effective service. From Sydney Mufamadi to Bheki Cele, each minister has faced challenges such as rising violent crime, police corruption, and public dissatisfaction. Notable incidents include the Marikana massacre under Nathi Mthethwa and the controversial leadership of Jackie Selebi. Despite efforts by some ministers, the overall performance of the department remains poor, with the latest crime statistics still reflecting high rates of murder and sexual offenses. The department's inability to prevent and investigate crime effectively has drawn criticism from criminologists, despite a substantial budget.

Over the past 30 years, South Africa's Department of Human Settlements has made significant strides in improving living conditions by providing housing and basic services, with 88.5% of the population now living in formal housing. However, the department's efforts have been overshadowed by controversies, maladministration, and corruption. Housing ministers, from Joe Slovo to Mmamoloko Kubayi, have faced various challenges, including conflicts with provincial premiers, legal uncertainties, and allegations of corruption. Despite delivering 4.8 million units/housing opportunities since 1994, the department's performance is marred by the immense theft and wastage, leading to an overall score of an E.

Transnet's management has announced a plan to address the backlog at Durban Port, which has caused container vessels to queue for up to two weeks. The backlog is attributed to outdated equipment, adverse weather, and managerial paralysis due to fear of treasury warnings after poor financial performance. Immediate interventions include improved planning and forecasting, an emergency meeting with Richards Bay Port stakeholders, and the acquisition of new equipment. The turnaround plan aims to increase container handling efficiency and reduce congestion, with expectations to clear the backlog at Pier 1 within seven weeks and at Pier 2 within 15 weeks. Long-term improvements involve a new container management system and equipment upgrades. Transnet is also addressing truck congestion at Richards Bay Port and has implemented a truck booking system.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) has reinstated Sobantu Tilayi as chief operations officer after clearing him of corruption allegations. Samsa also appointed Tau Morwe as the acting chief executive officer, following the resignation of Zamachonco Chonco. Morwe, who brings extensive experience, is tasked with providing stability and overseeing the recruitment process for a permanent CEO and other senior positions. The appointments and decisions were made in the interest of maintaining leadership and internal stability.

PepsiCo South Africa has expanded its local production by opening a new R75 million Futurelife factory at Dube TradePort in KwaZulu-Natal, following its acquisition of Pioneer Foods for US$1.3 billion in 2020. The new facility, which is over twice the size of the previous site, will double production and create additional jobs. PepsiCo's commitment to local sourcing and development aligns with its global strategy to grow in developing markets. Despite challenges such as the energy crisis and political volatility, PepsiCo remains optimistic about its South African business prospects.

South Africa is facing a severe hunger crisis, with malnutrition and poverty leading to deaths and familicide in some cases. Corene Conradie of Gift of the Givers has witnessed the dire situation in the Eastern Cape, where the NGO has extended its food parcel programs due to the worsening hunger since the pandemic. Statistics South Africa reports significant numbers of households with inadequate food access, particularly in urban areas and among households with young children. The South African Police Service and the Department of Social Development have been involved in relief efforts, but the scale of the crisis is overwhelming, with millions facing food insecurity and job losses across the Southern African Development Community. NGOs like the Robin Hood Foundation are also providing aid, but the need is growing, with even the working poor now relying on soup kitchens. Experts criticize the government's response as insufficient, with calls for more robust action to address the systemic issues causing food insecurity.

Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of the Gift of the Givers Foundation, commended the resilience of South Africans in overcoming the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, state capture, and recent disasters. Speaking to business leaders in Durban, he reflected on the country's ability to unite and rebuild, particularly after the July 2021 civil unrest and the April 2022 floods in KwaZulu-Natal. Sooliman emphasized the importance of a positive mindset and the collective spirit of the population, which he believes is rooted in the country's political history and was evident when citizens stood against the proposed shutdown on 20 March 2023. He also highlighted the need for spirituality, morality, values, and ethics to drive the country's success.

The dispute over a permanent taxi rank in uMhlanga continues as the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) rejects the latest assessment of the temporary facility near Oceans Mall. Santaco chairperson Sifiso Mthethwa states the temporary rank is too small, while eThekwini Municipality is in talks with developers and taxi operators for a solution. The municipality plans a survey to determine the required number of bays. Oceans uMhlanga Development's CEO Brian Mpono mentions the temporary rank's extension, and local business owner Rob Goulden, who previously filed a court application against the development, proposes an alternative solution, citing negative impacts on trade and property values.

South Africa is experiencing an increase in financial crimes, with over R1 billion in annual losses to the banking sector and customers. The South African Banking Risk Analysis Centre's 2022 report highlights a 23% rise in ATM bombings, a 17% increase in bank branch burglaries, and a 36% surge in digital banking fraud. Despite some positive trends, such as a decrease in mobile banking fraud incidents and a drop in card fraud, the report calls for urgent, collaborative action to address the issue.

Edi and Tammy Ernst's journey from working on the QE II cruise ship to establishing a successful chocolate business in South Africa is a tale of determination and entrepreneurship. After studying in their respective fields and struggling to find relevant work, they joined the QE II, where they met and later married. Moving to South Africa, they faced employment challenges, which led them to start their own business. They created The Drakensberg Chocolate Memories, producing artisan Belgian chocolates in the Drakensberg region. Starting with basic tools and YouTube tutorials, they mastered the art of chocolate making and now run a popular chocolate bar shop, with plans to expand their business and enhance customer experience.

President Jacob Zuma is facing allegations of tax evasion and potential impeachment as detailed in Jacques Pauw's book, 'The President’s Keepers'. The book claims Zuma failed to declare fringe benefits from the Nkandla development and received a monthly salary from Royal Security, a company owned by Roy Moodley, without declaring it to the SA Revenue Service. Constitutional and tax law experts suggest that if these allegations are true, Zuma could be guilty of corruption and tax evasion, which are impeachable and criminal offenses. The president's spokesperson and Moodley were unavailable for comment, and Sars spokesperson declined to comment due to legal restrictions on discussing taxpayer affairs.

The article discusses a proposed alternative to current shipping regulations, which typically assess the environmental performance of individual ships. The suggestion is to implement a vessel pooling system, where the collective performance of a group of vessels would be evaluated as a whole. This approach could potentially allow for more flexibility and efficiency in meeting environmental standards, as it would consider the combined impact of multiple ships rather than focusing on each one separately.

Muriel Commins, a 72-year-old great-grandmother, narrowly escaped death during the severe floods in Durban, South Africa. She was trapped in her Peugeot 206 when the vehicle became submerged in floodwaters at the intersection of Edwin Swales Drive and Titren Road in Rossburgh. Commins managed to break free by smashing the car window with a headrest pin after the car filled with water. Initially, two bystanders were taking photos instead of helping, but eventually, they secured a tow rope from a nearby truck, which was used to pull Commins to safety. Micheal Davids, the owner of Engen Southway Convenience Centre, provided assistance and clothing to Commins and other flood victims.