Author: Eon Engelbrecht

Transnet records R4.6 billion profit

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Transnet has reported a R4.6 billion profit for the financial year ended 31 March 2026, reversing a R1.9 billion loss recorded the previous year.

Revenue increased by 7.1% to R88.6 billion, supported by higher rail and pipeline volumes and tariff increases.

Rail volumes rose 4.9% to 167.9 million tonnes, while EBITDA increased slightly to R30.9 billion. Operating expenses, however, rose by 10.8% to R57.7 billion.

Transnet says improved rail reliability, maintenance and asset availability contributed to the recovery, although challenges remain.

A major development was the sale of a 49.999% stake in Durban Gateway Terminal to International Container Terminal Services for R10.5 billion. The transaction generated a R12.5 billion profit and transferred management control to ICTSI, while Transnet retains a 50.001% stake.

The company invested R23.3 billion in infrastructure and equipment during the year. National Treasury has also approved R14.8 billion in grant funding for strategic rail and port projects.

Transnet says further progress has been made on freight logistics reforms, including opening the rail network to private operators.

Agreements have been signed with 11 train operating companies, with the first expected to begin services during the 2026/27 financial year.

The company says its focus remains on improving reliability, increasing freight volumes, attracting private investment and strengthening its long-term financial sustainability.

Sardine Deaths Linked to Pilchard Herpesvirus Under Investigation

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is continuing to investigate an unusual sardine mortality event stretching from the Western Cape along South Africa’s southern and eastern coasts, to the northern Wild Coast and into Namibia.

Reports of dead sardines began in July, with the affected coastline spanning about 2 600 kilometres between Henties Bay and the northern Wild Coast.

Laboratory tests have confirmed Pilchard Herpesvirus, or PHV, in sardines linked to the deaths, including samples collected in Gqeberha.

The DFFE says this is the first confirmed detection of PHV in South African sardines. However, scientists are still investigating whether the virus is directly responsible for the deaths and whether environmental factors may also be involved.

The department says the full extent and impact of the mortality event remain uncertain. PHV has not been confirmed at every location where dead sardines have been reported, and factors such as ocean currents, fish movement and differences in monitoring must also be considered.

The DFFE says current assessments do not indicate that the deaths represent a large proportion of the overall sardine stock. However, the estimates remain uncertain, and the event may not yet have run its course.

An October and November hydroacoustic survey is expected to provide the first reliable, independent estimate of sardine numbers and distribution following the mortality event.

The DFFE is working with scientific institutions, provincial authorities, municipalities, the fishing industry and Namibian counterparts as part of a coordinated investigation.

On public health, the department says PHV is not known to infect humans. Commercially produced canned sardines processed under approved conditions remain safe to eat.

However, the public is strongly advised not to collect, eat or feed dead or dying sardines to pets. Decomposing fish may contain harmful bacteria or other microorganisms that can cause illness.

The department also advises against using dead or visibly unhealthy sardines as bait while investigations into the virus continue.

R5.85 million worth of drugs seized on N1 near Beaufort West

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Swift action following intelligence about a consignment of illicit drugs has resulted in the seizure of drugs worth an estimated R5.85 million on the N1 near Beaufort West.

On Thursday, 10 September 2026, at about 10:40pm, members of the Western Cape Organised Crime Investigations, Crime Intelligence and Beaufort West police conducted an intelligence-driven operation on the N1.

Police intercepted and searched a vehicle, where they discovered 57,000 Mandrax tablets and five kilograms of cocaine.

The 46-year-old driver was arrested and charged with dealing in drugs. He remains in police custody and is expected to appear in the Beaufort West Magistrates' Court on Monday, 14 September.

Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Sizakhele Dyantyi praised the police teams for their efforts to prevent illicit drugs from reaching vulnerable communities in the province.

Suicide Awareness Day: Understanding suicidal thoughts and breaking the silence

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Suicide Awareness Day (10 September) is an opportunity to talk openly about suicide, challenge misconceptions and remind people that they do not have to face overwhelming thoughts or feelings alone.

More than 700,000 people die by suicide worldwide every year, with suicide accounting for around one in every 100 deaths globally. It is also one of the leading causes of death among young people aged 15 to 29.

Suicide can affect people of all ages, genders and backgrounds. While men account for more suicide deaths than women globally, suicidal thoughts can affect anyone, regardless of their circumstances or how their life may appear from the outside.

Suicidal thoughts, also known as suicidal ideation, can take many forms. For some people, it may involve actively considering suicide or making plans. For others, it can mean feeling that they do not want to be alive, feeling hopeless about the future, or simply wishing that their emotional pain would stop.

Importantly, having suicidal thoughts does not always mean someone is about to attempt suicide. Suicidal ideation exists on a spectrum, and some people continue to work, socialise and carry on with everyday life while privately struggling.

That does not mean their experience is any less serious.

Suicidal thoughts can be exhausting, frightening and overwhelming. They can develop over a long period or appear suddenly, sometimes following a traumatic or distressing experience.

Grief, abuse, financial difficulties, rejection, relationship problems, unemployment and other major life stresses can contribute to suicidal thoughts. Mental-health conditions, including depression, can also increase the risk.

There is no single reason why someone becomes suicidal, and suicide should never be described simply as selfish or cowardly. In many cases, a person may feel trapped in emotional pain and unable to see another way forward.

Another important misconception is that talking about suicide will make someone more likely to attempt it.

In fact, having an open and compassionate conversation can give someone an opportunity to talk about what they are experiencing and seek help. Asking someone directly how they are doing, listening without judgement and letting them know that you care can be important first steps.

Telling someone that they have "so much to live for", or making them feel guilty about how their death would affect others, may not be helpful. What someone experiencing suicidal thoughts often needs most is to feel heard, understood and supported.

Professional help is also important. Therapy, medication and other forms of treatment are not instant solutions, and recovery can take time. People may need ongoing support and practical strategies to manage suicidal thoughts and recognise when they need additional help.

Previous suicide attempts are an important risk factor for future suicide, which makes continued support particularly important.
Suicide is preventable, and early intervention can save lives.

Suicide Awareness Day is therefore not simply about remembering those who have died. It is also about creating an environment where people feel safe enough to say, "I'm not okay", and where others are prepared to listen.

Sometimes, starting the conversation can be the first step towards getting someone the help they need.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, contact emergency services or a suicide crisis service for urgent assistance.

Contact the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG)

Western Cape mobilises emergency response to Beaufort West water crisis

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
The Western Cape Government has launched a coordinated emergency response after severe flooding damaged critical water infrastructure in Beaufort West, disrupting water services to the town.

Local Government MEC Anton Bredell says the priority is to restore water supply as quickly as possible while ensuring residents receive emergency water.

Government agencies, the Beaufort West Municipality, Central Karoo District Municipality, disaster management teams and private and humanitarian partners have been mobilised since the incident was identified on 4 September.

Emergency measures include deploying water tankers, distributing water to affected communities, assessing damaged infrastructure and providing engineering support. The province has also made R1 million available for urgent repairs.

Bredell says calls for a formal disaster declaration have not delayed the response, stressing that government can provide emergency assistance without such a declaration.

Access to the damaged 600-millimetre pipeline was initially difficult because of high river levels and flooding. Technical teams have since continued working on the infrastructure, while parts of the municipal water system have been restored and reservoir levels replenished.

Emergency water supplies remain in place, with vulnerable communities and critical public facilities receiving particular attention.

Bredell says all available resources will continue to be directed towards maintaining emergency water supplies and restoring normal services as quickly and safely as possible.

Six South Africans remain unaccounted for after Nepal flash floods

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Six South African nationals remain missing following devastating flash floods in Nepal, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) confirmed on Thursday.

At the request of the Nepalese government, DIRCO has worked with the South African Police Service to collect DNA profiles from biological relatives of the missing South Africans.

The profiles were collected through the SAPS Victim Identification Centre and sent to authorities in Nepal and Interpol in Kathmandu.

South African diplomatic missions in New Delhi and Beijing are also working with authorities in India and China to coordinate the response.

DIRCO says there is still no confirmation about the whereabouts of the six South Africans. It says it will continue monitoring the situation and provide updates to their families as more information becomes available.

2,977 lights form Twin Towers in 9/11 anniversary tribute

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
New York Harbor became the setting for a powerful tribute on Wednesday night, as thousands of lights filled the sky ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

The aerial display, titled “2,977 Lights Over New York Harbor”, used 2,977 illuminated drones, representing every person who was killed in the attacks.

The drones first appeared as individual points of light before coming together to recreate the distinctive outline of the Twin Towers above lower Manhattan.

The commemorative artwork was created with input from 9/11 survivors, relatives of victims and first responders. Organisers said the free public installation was intended to provide a moment of remembrance, reflection and unity ahead of Friday’s anniversary.

Among those involved in shaping the project were FDNY first responders and artists, representatives of 9/11 Families United, and relatives of victims who died in the attacks.

The display was captured in videos shared widely on social media, showing the illuminated towers against the New York skyline.

The annual “Tribute in Light” installation will also return on September 11, with two powerful beams projected into the night sky from lower Manhattan to commemorate the World Trade Center victims.

President Ramaphosa to attend BRICS 2026

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, this weekend.

The summit, hosted under India’s chairship, will focus on resilience, innovation, cooperation and security.

Leaders will discuss boosting trade and investment, strengthening financial cooperation, and reforming global institutions, including the United Nations.

South Africa will use the summit to promote increased trade within BRICS, industrialisation and investment in African infrastructure.

The expanded BRICS grouping includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Ramaphosa will also take part in the BRICS Business Forum Leaders’ Dialogue, focusing on trade, supply chains, agriculture, the digital economy and innovation.

The summit will also address global geopolitical tensions, including conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Correctional Services suspends four top officials following fraud allegations

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Four senior Correctional Services officials, including the department’s Chief Financial Officer, have been suspended pending an investigation into alleged fraud involving a coal supply tender.

The department says a criminal case has been opened with the Hawks, while a forensic investigation will determine the extent of any irregularities.

Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald has welcomed the development, saying his department will cooperate fully to ensure that anyone found guilty is held accountable.

Temporary measures agreed to protect Diaz Beach as erosion worsens

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
The Western Cape Government and Mossel Bay Municipality have reached an agreement on urgent temporary measures to address the ongoing coastal erosion threat at Diaz Beach.

The provincial Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said it recognised the serious risks posed by the erosion and the need to protect people, nearby properties and public infrastructure.

As an immediate intervention, Mossel Bay Municipality has proposed installing geotextile sandbags to stabilise the affected dune and reduce the risk of further collapse.

The temporary measure is aimed at preventing properties and infrastructure from collapsing onto the beach, while also helping to reduce the danger to members of the public entering an area that remains unsafe.

The provincial government said both authorities agreed that a permanent solution to the coastal erosion problem is needed. A Basic Assessment process currently underway will help determine the most appropriate long-term intervention.

Department spokesperson Rudolf van Jaarsveldt stressed that the proposed sandbags should not be viewed as a permanent solution.

He warned that coastal protection structures can interfere with the natural movement of sand between the dune, beach and nearshore areas. If poorly designed or managed, such measures could contribute to further erosion, beach narrowing and the eventual loss of the beach as a public amenity.

Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell has decided to comply with a court order permitting the sandbags to be installed as an urgent temporary measure.

The final long-term approach will be determined through the Basic Assessment process in the coming months. This could potentially result in the removal of the sandbags, while options such as sand replenishment may also be considered.

The Western Cape Government and Mossel Bay Municipality said they would continue working together to manage the immediate risks at Diaz Beach while developing longer-term measures to improve coastal management in the area.

Diaz Beach remains closed to the public due to unstable dune slopes and severe weather erosion.
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