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In this interview, Dean Macpherson, chairperson of the Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal and a minister in South Africa's government of national unity, discussed the significant challenges facing his department, particularly concerning ongoing corruption and organized crime, often referred to as the "construction mafia." This syndicate, which has infiltrated government projects across the country, is notorious for extorting money and stalling critical infrastructure developments. Macpherson emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues through transparent investigations and strict law enforcement, pledging swift action and accountability within his department. The minister also highlighted the importance of economic growth and job creation as key priorities, despite the challenges posed by entrenched corruption.

Political scientist RW Johnson exposes obvious parallels between the National Party’s Apartheid project and the ANC’s obsession with racially-based economic policies. Both had disastrous consequences - and required a radical re-think, fuelled by social unrest, before abandonment. The big question is whether Cyril Ramaphosa is able to adopt the radical change of an FW de Klerk or the timid, incrementally-based approach of PW Botha. Johnson spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

If you live overseas, earn income from South Africa, or reside locally while receiving funds from abroad, navigating taxation can be incredibly complex. William Louw, a tax specialist at Sable International, shared with BizNews that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is changing its approach—now requiring submissions of returns that were previously unnecessary, as well as requiring historical returns. This has led to some South Africans facing double taxation, despite existing Double Tax Agreements (DTA)  in their countries of residence. Louw noted that this issue isn’t limited to South Africa; globally, tax authorities are scrutinising whether tax credits are permissible under these agreements. He also said that SARS is closely examining the residency presence test, and potential changes might be on the horizon. An intriguing dilemma has arisen according to Louw for those contemplating a return to South Africa: currently, SARS lacks a clear mechanism for South Africans to reclaim their tax status.

After 10 months of war, ceasefire talks are on a knife edge in the Middle East, particularly with the heightened possibility of a regional war following the assassination of Hamas’ political leader in Iran. In this interview with BizNews, Israeli diplomat and international lawyer Daniel Taub says there are still 111 hostages in captivity in the Gaza Strip, “but the tragedy is that the price for bringing them home is not a simple one. It's releasing terrorists with blood on their hands”. He describes it as “an excruciating dilemma” but gives the assurance that “we are trying in impossible circumstances and with the clock ticking to try and come up with what is the most responsible answer, responsible solution”. Although Hamas didn't show up at the talks last week, Taub says the awareness that Hamas has been significantly degraded and is not able to get hold of weaponry and ammunition raise the hope that it “is now under pressure to reach a deal simply as its own lifeline”. Taub also speaks about how Israel views the future of Gaza; as well as its relationship with its biggest ally, the United States, and other countries in the Middle East.

In his weekly take on political developments, United Independent Movement (UIM) President Neil de Beer slams the “cabal of people now cohorting into a public political party (MK) in Parliament”. He describes Jacob Zuma, Brian Molefe, Andile Mngxitama, Siyabonga Gama, Floyd Shivambu, Dr. John Hlope, Lucky Montana, and Mzwanele Manyi as among “the most unscrupulous accused people that harm this country on all levels of State Capture, SOE collapse, and debatably the country's collapse”. “That’s your 10 Most Wanted poster right there.” As for the defection of Shivambu to MK from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), De Beer says: “This was orchestrated, is orchestrated and planned.” Describing the battle to prosecute those fingered by the Zondo Commission, he points out: “We spent billions on the Zondo Commission, three years, more than 16 volumes and…some of them are sitting in MK.” De Beer also dissects the latest coalition dramas between the Democratic Alliance (DA) and other parties in metros and municipalities. He further gives his take on what Elon Musk might have gained from his X interview with former US President Donald Trump. And he analyses the bold moves to self-sufficiency by Burkina Faso President Ibrahim Traoré who has turned down help from both the West and the East.

The real founder of the MK Party, Jabulani Khumalo, is laying criminal charges against former President Jacob Zuma. In this interview with BizNews, he describes how a discovery during the past week has left him no choice. “So this will be the second case of fraud against President Jacob Zuma and his family because he is doing this because he thinks he's a God of South Africa or of the world, I don't know.” Khumalo goes on to reveal how MK has been hijacked by Zuma's cronies. “So I'm thinking that Zuma is now creating a cabal that is going to finish the country. Because if you put corrupt people together, what are you bringing? What are you doing?” Khumalo tells the full story of the founding of MK, how Zuma became involved, and how he reneged on a deal not to bring in “tainted” people. “…he agreed that if Umkhonto we Sizwe wants to move forward, we should be using people with good names, people who would want to work for the community, people who are clean, who are not going to cause us problems with all these corruption cases…But as we moved on, he brought in his daughter…his daughter started to be crazy and started making lots of problems within the organisation…I never registered (MK) for Zuma's cronies to come back and fight the State, to continue where they started looting.” As for Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Deputy President Floyd Shivambu joining MK, he says: “I don't believe - even in my sleep - that Floyd and (CIC Julius) Malema will ever be split. This could be orchestrated for us to be fooled and to lose the MK without knowing.”

Last night, the Comrades Marathon Association held an emotion-charged special general meeting in Pietermaritzburg to address widespread concerns among runners. Green number holder Rory Steyn invested R8 000 to attend in person. He reports on what went down at the three-and-a-half-hour SGM with BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Editor Alec Hogg and the BizNews team provide context on the biggest stories of the past week. Covered this week are the governance mess in the Joburg Metro; board level corruption called out at the Comrades Marathon Association; why shareholders rejected an opportunistic takeover bid for bankrupt Tongaat Hulett - and the real reason why Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway sold 500m shares in Apple Inc.

It’s five years since massive accounting fraud was exposed at Tongaat Hulett, plunging KZN’s largest industrial group into a death spiral. With little incentive to end their regular income stream, fee-earning “super helpers” have been feasting on the company’s carcass, while bankers delude themselves by charging notional interest on debts that will never be repaid. Yet some excellent assets are still there to be grabbed - and sensing fatigue of shareholders, corporate vultures have been gathering. Corporate activist Dave Woolam shares the latest twist in the sorry saga with BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

ActionSA President Herman Mashaba is ready to walk away from a deal with the African National Congress (ANC) in the City of Johannesburg if his party does not get the Speaker’s position in the council. This after the ANC has so far failed to make an announcement following Sunday’s handshake deal. “…we are not going to be in a marriage of convenience… If they want to wait another month or so, they are the ones who are going to suffer. And we are not going to wait forever because if the City reaches a stage where it cannot really be turned around, we will not really participate…One thing for sure, I know that the voters of Johannesburg are going to punish them, punish them even further on what they've done in the previous elections.” Mashaba points out that ActionSA would not be able to hold the ANC accountable if it did not “take the Legislature”. However, should the ANC honour its undertaking, Mashaba shares a list of the programmes for immediate implementation. Meanwhile, giving an update on his party’s fight against illegal immigration, Mashaba vows: “…we’re not going to let the new Minister under this coalition arrangement to do what the ANC did over the last 30 years…open our borders.”