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What are the links between the assassination of HAWKS Lieutenant-Colonel Frans Mathipa on 6 August this year (2023); the kidnapping of alleged Islamic State (Isis) leader Abdella Abadiga and his bodyguard Kadir Jemal Abotese from the Mall of Africa on 29 December last year (2022) allegedly by members the SANDF Special Forces; and military front company vehicle photographed at the scene of the kidnappings as well as next the Lady R vessel that docked in Simonstown in December last year (2022) when weapons were loaded off. BizNews speaks to Hennie van Vuuren, the Director of Open Secrets, about its investigation into the murder of the Crimes Against States Unit officer who was “somebody committed to holding the powerful to account”. Van Vuuren warns that “the power of the people with guns will only grow” if those responsible for his murder are not held to account.

As South Africa prepares for the 2024 national and provincial elections, there is widespread speculation about the ruling ANC’s prospects for remaining in power. If the ANC fails to maintain its majority, there is speculation about which parties it might consider forming a coalition with. Former ANC Member of Parliament, South African Ambassador to Ireland, and current columnist and political analyst, Melanie Verwoerd, reveals that there is growing talk within the ANC about the possibility of seeking a coalition with the Democratic Alliance and the Inkatha Freedom Party. Verwoerd told BizNews the ANC National Executive is, despite the fear-mongering of the DA, not interested in a coalition with the Economic Freedom Fighters. Julius Malema, she says, “is the guy whose party storms onto the stage while the president is talking in parliament. They don’t like that kind of chaos and disruption.” Verwoerd said coalitions after 2024 need not be formal, they could be formed to pass money bills. She also commented on a possible IFP Presidency which she said would be “chaos.” According to Verwoerd, South Africans remain remarkably loyal to the ANC, despite their anger. Many continue to vote for the ANC due to the lack of viable alternatives. She stated that if the ANC continues to win, it would serve as a strong indictment against opposition parties.

As South Africa prepares for the 2024 national and provincial elections, there is widespread speculation about the ruling ANC's prospects for remaining in power. If the ANC fails to maintain its majority, there is speculation about which parties it might consider forming a coalition with. Former ANC Member of Parliament, South African Ambassador to Ireland, and current columnist and political analyst, Melanie Verwoerd, reveals that there is growing talk within the ANC about the possibility of seeking a coalition with the Democratic Alliance and the Inkatha Freedom Party. Verwoerd told Biznews the ANC National Executive is, despite the fear-mongering of the DA, not interested in a coalition with the Economic Freedom Fighters. Julius Malema, she says, “is the guy whose party storms onto the stage while the president is talking in parliament. They don't like that kind of chaos and disruption.” Verwoerd said coalitions after 2024 need not be formal, they could be formed to pass money bills. She also commented on a possible IFP Presidency which she said would be “chaos.” According to Verwoerd, South Africans remain remarkably loyal to the ANC, despite their anger. Many continue to vote for the ANC due to the lack of viable alternatives. She stated that if the ANC continues to win, it would serve as a strong indictment against oppositi

ActionSA’s leader Herman Mashaba explains the thinking behind the tough policy resolutions adopted by his party at its recent inaugural policy conference attended by 600 delegates from all nine provinces. Mashaba reveals how he was convinced to abandon his strong position on bringing back the death penalty. He unpacks the motivations behind the party’s policy resolutions on the rule of law, drug dealing, illegal immigration, the energy crisis, BEE, governance, lifestyle audits, and international relations. He also gives an update on his party’s growth in support - and speaks frankly about its membership of the Multi-Party Charter.

Veteran money manager Piet Viljoen is shedding no tears for how Naspers/Prosus dispatched Bob van Dijk, its CEO of the past decade, who left immediately on Monday morning. Viljoen says he and Van Dijk see the world very differently - and by his calculation, under Van Dijk's direction, management actions destroyed 40% of the value that would have accrued had they done nothing. In this typically hard-hitting interview, Viljoen discloses that he recently invested in Naspers/Prosus for the first time but won't buy any more until he is shown interim CEO Ervin Tu is not 'simply more of the same'. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews.

The storm surge that battered South Africa’s coastal towns - leaving death and destruction in its wake - was the worst in 20 years. That is according to Gerhard Otto, the Head of the Disaster Management Centre of the Garden Route. He speaks to BizNews after a stormy weekend in which freak waves crossed roads in tsunami-like fashion to flood restaurants, homes and parking lots. He reveals the extent of the damage to infrastructure - and says that longer term repair work could take between six months and a year. He lists the factors that combine to form “perfect storms; explain why they could get even bigger in future - and appeals to the public to heed storm surge warnings. - Chris Steyn

Chemical pesticides have been in use since the late 1800s to protect crops, but their harmful effects on the environment and human health have led scientists to search for alternatives. In South Africa, two PhD students from Rhodes University have had a breakthrough. Ground-breaking research by Tamryn Marsberg and Michael Jukes has led to the development of two viral-based biopesticides, MultiMax and CodlMax, as alternatives to the conventional use of chemical pesticides on citrus, apples, and litchi. Biopesticides are biological pesticides like viruses, fungi, bacteria and nematodes that are natural predators of insects. In an interview with Biznews, Dr. Jukes said that, working with the university’s research partner Citrus Research International and an industry partner River Bioscience, a global patent has been completed and the products have been launched for commercial use in Africa and Europe. He said they are hoping that their products will soon be able to enter the Indian market and North American markets, where the codling moth is a major pest for apples.

Nowadays, investors seek more than just traditional avenues, which often underperform. To outperform they are searching for innovative and special investment opportunities. In this interview, Richard Asherson from Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management updates us on an opportunity that focuses on a high-yielding investment in a hard currency - via the UK market. - Alec Hogg

More than three million South Africans are affected every year by deadly fungi. Researchers in the Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry at the University of the Free State (UFS) are now working on various research projects investigating new treatment options beyond the limited range of antifungals currently available. The research is being led by Professor Carlien Pohl-Albertyn, the National Research Forum (NRF) SARChl Research Chair in Pathogenic Yeasts. Speaking to BizNews, she says the problem is that these fungi are becoming drug resistant. Recently more fungal infections asre being contracted from contaminated water. “And a lot of people are warning that this may lead to problems down the line…because we have this population that is now more susceptible to fungal infections.” - Chris Steyn

I’ve been eagerly awaiting this interview for some time, having watched the Heffer family develop the small horseracing form guide Winning Form into the 6,000-plus staffed giant Hollywoodbets. A formidable brand, the company has naming rights on four major racecourses in South Africa; and many of its top races, including the most famous of all, the Durban July. Also, Hollywoodbets sponsor its hometown Sharks Rugby and Dolphins Cricket and the Durban stadiums where they play, plus Dundalk Racecourse in Ireland and, the highest profile of all, English Premier League team Brentford FC. Its Hollywood Syndicates reinvest heavily in SA’s racing industry, keeping over a hundred horses in training. This interview with Devin Heffer brings together this inspirational story’s threads that go back to a small entrepreneur, his father Owen, whose disruptive endeavours delivered the dream result. - Alec Hogg