Author: Silver Sibiya

BAIC South Africa has confirmed that local assembly of its new B30 SUV will begin at the company’s R11-billion manufacturing plant within the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Gqeberha. The announcement, made on 28 October 2025, marks a significant expansion of BAIC’s footprint in the country’s automotive sector. Production will begin shortly after the B30’s official national launch in November. The B30 becomes the third model to be built locally at the state-of-the-art facility, joining the B40 Plus and X55 Plus models already rolling off the line. The Coega plant—one of the largest Chinese industrial investments in South Africa—is…

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has confirmed that BMW South Africa and Stellantis South Africa, the distributor of Opel vehicles, have issued recalls affecting several models over serious safety concerns involving seat belts and airbags. The NCC, which oversees consumer protection in South Africa, says it received official recall notifications from both manufacturers under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), which requires companies to inform authorities when a product defect could pose a risk to consumers. BMW recall: seat belt defect in new models BMW is recalling 75 vehicles across its 1 Series (F20), 2 Series (F74), X1…

Pick n Pay says its turnaround strategy is beginning to yield results, with the retailer reporting improved performance for the six months to 31 August 2025, driven largely by continued strong growth at its discount chain Boxer. Group sales rose 4.9% year-on-year, while losses were more than halved, signalling progress in the effort to stabilise and reposition the business. Boxer remained the standout performer, delivering a 13.9% increase in sales and reinforcing its status as one of South Africa’s fastest-growing grocery brands. CEO Sean Summers said the business is showing “clear signs of recovery”. “Boxer continues to perform very well,…

Grief and shock have engulfed Kenya’s aviation community after a Mombasa Air Safari aircraft crashed earlier today while en route from Diani Airport to Kichwa Tembo in the Maasai Mara, leaving no survivors. The airline confirmed in a statement that the aircraft, registration number 5Y-CCA, went down during its scheduled flight, carrying 10 passengers — eight Hungarian nationals, two Germans, and one Kenyan crew member, the captain. “We are profoundly saddened to report that there are no survivors,” the company said. “Our hearts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragic event.” The cause of the crash has…

Nissan South Africa has issued a recall of 1,665 Qashqai Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), prompting the National Consumer Commission (NCC) to release a formal safety alert to protect motorists and ensure regulatory compliance. The recall affects units distributed across the country between 4 May 2021 and 17 October 2024. The manufacturer informed the NCC that a fuel pipe in some Qashqai models may shift within its retaining clip during vehicle operation, causing friction that could result in perforation and fuel leakage. The defect poses operational and safety risks, including potential engine failure or fire — liabilities that could significantly impact…

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says he is unfazed by the looming motion of no confidence tabled against him by the Democratic Alliance (DA), insisting he is being targeted for “doing the right thing.” Lesufi was speaking at Mehlareng Stadium in Thembisa on Monday during the official launch of the Tswa Daar campaign, a province-wide initiative aimed at tackling substance and alcohol abuse in communities across Gauteng. The campaign brings together various government departments, law enforcement agencies, and civil society groups to combat drug addiction, particularly among the youth. Addressing hundreds of residents, Lesufi said he has no regrets about introducing…

The City of Johannesburg says it has managed to cut daily water losses by 90 million litres as part of its ongoing drive to stabilise supply and rebuild public confidence in water services. Executive Mayor Dada Morero announced the progress during a media briefing in Newtown on Monday, highlighting the achievements of the Johannesburg Water Turnaround Strategy, a key component of the Presidential Water Governance Intervention. Morero said the city’s average daily demand has dropped from 1,792 megalitres to 1,702 megalitres thanks to leak detection, pressure management, and public awareness campaigns. “We are beginning to see tangible results from our…

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) says it has reached a deadlock in wage talks in the auto industry, warning that it could embark on a strike if employers do not return to the table with a fair offer. Negotiations between NUMSA and the country’s seven major vehicle manufacturers — known as Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) — broke down over the weekend after the companies offered a 6.5% wage increase for the first year, followed by 5% increases for the next two years. NUMSA has rejected the offer outright, calling it “a serious provocation” and “an insult”…

Magistrates marched to the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg on Friday, demanding better working conditions and an end to what they call “financial abuse” and lack of recognition within South Africa’s judicial system. The group, representing the Judicial Officers Association of South Africa (JOASA), handed over a memorandum outlining their grievances. They say they are excluded from key employment benefits such as medical aid and housing subsidies, and lack adequate tools of trade to perform their duties effectively. Magistrates also complained that prosecutors earn more than them, despite magistrates carrying greater judicial responsibility. Many travelled from KwaZulu-Natal and various parts of…

Health and beauty retailer Clicks Group is pushing ahead with an aggressive expansion strategy, announcing plans to open up to 50 new stores and 50 additional pharmacies in the next financial year as it moves closer to its medium-term target of 1 200 stores nationally. The move comes as the broader retail sector continues to face pressure from weak consumer demand, elevated interest rates and rising operating costs. However, Clicks remains resilient, supported by the defensive nature of health and beauty spending and strong customer loyalty. For the year ended August 2025, the group reported a 14.1% increase in diluted…